Bent the bucket

[mdbarb]

The front portion of my 4 in 1 FEL is bent. It dips down in the middle right where it meets the rear portion of the FEL so it won't close entirely. (I KNEW I was picking up too many rocks, too big)
I'm sure I can bend it back somehow - pipe clamps - placing it on a rock and raising the tractor a few times.
But I fear it will be forever weakened. What modifications can strengthen the bucket without compromising other aspects.
I'll post a pic if I can remember.....

 

[adegiulio]

I noticed this weekend that my 4n1 bucket is slightly bent also, but in a different place. Mine is bent on that curved "tooth" opposite the hinge, right at the bottom. The tooth normally will be on the inside of the bucket when closed, but now it is bent out of the bucket, keeping it from closing all the way. I banged on it with a hammer, but it barely budged. I was thinking of heating it with my propane soldering torch this weekend when I go up next time. Any other suggestions??

Ant

 

[ronjhall]

Mdbarb
I bent my 60” <font color="orange"> Kubota </font> bucket in the middle. Was not able to bend it back by raising the front of the tractor. It does not weigh enough. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
I used a heavy-duty fine thread, C-clamp, and chain to pull it back into shape. (picture attached) Put a 1” X 4” X 36” bar across the top of bucket. Hooked the bottom hook on bent edge of the bucket. Tightened the clamp until I had pulled edge a small amount past straight. It did not come perfect. However, it is straighter than it was. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Just for safety concerns, this may not be the safest way to fix the bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[JimC]

You can always strighten the bucket the old and easy way
I used a jack and a piece of chain.
See attachment

 

[B7500]

Interesting reading. My problem is I twisted my bucket. Any ideas how to straighten that out?
Thanks,
-Terry

 

[JMAC]

Ant,
I have about the same setup as you, I have bent that tooth two different times and I have been able to hammer it back using a sledge and just hitting it firmly I didn't have any trouble with it and didn't have to heat it.

JMAC

 

[adegiulio]

Thats good news JMAC. I was just using a regular old hammer. I will use something a little more substantial next time...

Thanks
Anthony

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was just using a regular old hammer. I will use something a little more substantial next time...
)</font>

I've never personally bent a FEL bucket, but my brother ran into a tree and bent the lip down, just enough to be noticeable, right in the center on my B7100 bucket. He said he tried hitting it with a hammer with no luck. I didn't ask what size hammer, but I had an 8# sledge hammer with a long handle, so I tried it, inside my shop building; not the smartest thing I ever tried. All it did was make my ears ring. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Maybe you'll have better luck and do it outside. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

And the really odd thing to me, that I don't think I'd have ever believed without seeing it, was the fact that within 3 or 4 months of using the loader, that bucket gradually became straight again. I always parked it with the center of the bucket lip resting on a 2 x 6 and I suppose just that weight on it anytime I wasn't using it brought it back straight. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

We bend buckets quite a bit. We will heat them with a torch and then use a hammer and body tools and get it even again. They are never as strong as original.

 

[mdbarb]

But what can we do so it doesn't bend again?
Welding any kind of brace would get in the way.
May some flatbat at and parrallel to the edge?