Front loader bucket has some holes in it and might need welding?

[draku007]

My front loader bucket is getting pretty thin at the end of the bottom section to the point where I'm starting to see some holes there (see attached picture - red marks). Any suggestions on how to best fix it and extend the life of the bucket (I really don't want to buy a new one anytime soon).

 

[k0ua]

My front loader bucket is getting pretty thin at the end of the bottom section to the point where I'm starting to see some holes there (see attached picture - red marks). Any suggestions on how to best fix it and extend the life of the bucket (I really don't want to buy a new one anytime soon).

View attachment 666694

What kind of welder do you have?

 

[Big Barn]

I would cut out the worn out corner (red) and weld in a flush patch and weld a full width wear strip on the underside of the bucket to preserve the buckets bottom corner width. (Yellow lines)

A 3 inch strip x 3/16or 1/4 inch thick would do.

 

[duffer]

I had the same problem as you. And Big Barn has a good solution, very similar to mine. Although I didn't cut out a section that was worn, but rather ground it down to good, bear metal, and then welded the "wear plate" to the bottom of the bucket, and finally welded shut the slot I ground down in the original bucket material. This way, it keeps you from burning a larger hole in the bucket if you get too aggressive with the weld. The newly installed wear plate acts like a backer-board for the final weld. (I'm not a professional welder and I need all the help I can get).

The bucket steel is very thin, probably only 1/8". I put an 8" deep wear plate on mine, because I back drag a ¼ mile gravel drive every 4-6 weeks to keep it smooth. Wear plate has held up nicely.

 

[k0ua]

I have found 7014 a good easy to start and run rod if you have a DC stick welder. I like to use it to fill holes. It runs like butter.

 

[Citydude]

I have found 7014 a good easy to start and run rod if you have a DC stick welder. I like to use it to fill holes. It runs like butter.

I wish I had your skills as you’ve shown some of your work. I’m an expert welder until I start a bead, then not so much.

But I do know enough to see a hole in the bucket.

 

[Citydude]

I would cut out the worn out corner (red) and weld in a flush patch and weld a full width wear strip on the underside of the bucket to preserve the buckets bottom corner width. (Yellow lines)

A 3 inch strip x 3/16or 1/4 inch thick would do.

Thanks. I will keep this repair in my memory bank. I’m still learning.

 

[Big Barn]

I’m still learning.

Like us all.

 

[k0ua]

I wish I had your skills as you’ve shown some of your work. I’m an expert welder until I start a bead, then not so much.

But I do know enough to see a hole in the bucket.

Well as they say, the first step to the solution is to acknowledge the problem.. So you are well on your way.

 

[k0ua]

Like us all.

Rgr, that. Bigtime. I have repaired some holes in some buckets, but that don't make me no expert. I am not sure I would even make a pimple on a good welders.......