Damaged FEL bucket. Need replacement???

Bota_Orange · Apr 13, 2006

I have a bx2230 that I have really put to the test of late. I have damaged the FEL bucket on the side and I have a permanent smile going on the front of the bucket as well. I would really like to get it fixed but not sure it is worth it ( cost to get machine shop to fix it) or should I just buy another bucket. Does anyone have any idea what the 48" bucket costs? Does anyone have any idea what a reasonable price to fix something of this nature might be? Thanks, Steven.

Egon · Apr 13, 2006

Repair it. Cut off the present cutting edge and the smile is easily removed. Replace the cutting edge with a much heavier one which will give the bucket much more stiffness.

The side should straighten out if heated and threatned by several sledge hammers. Also weld some cutting edge on to the front of each side for more stiffness. After these simple modifications it should never bend when powered by the tractors hydraulics.

The bucket on my B7100 has had these additions as well as a plate welded to the worn out bottom of the bucket.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

browns40 · Apr 13, 2006

Hi bota orange,

I agree--unless you've worn the steel on the floor of the bucket of the bucket paper thin, you're better off straightening & reniforcing the current bucket.

I'd go for hard wear steel on the leading edge & drill it for the cutting edge... softer, stronger stuff behind that & along the sides... could add some hard skids over that... could hard face the whole thing too boot... may as well get some hooks now if you don't have them already--heck, maybe even a toothbar! You'll still come out ahead $ wise. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you don't know a welder you should still be able to do it for ~$40/hour & materials... you pound in the major warps.

RonR · Apr 13, 2006

How did you damage the bucket? I can't imagine lifting something would bend it. Did you hit something?

If you ask a dealer for a price to replace the bucket, you'd better sit down. I'm sure it is a LOT!

I agree--go find a weldor/machinist and have it beefed up. A can of orange paint when he's done, and it will look "better'n'new".

ron

Mike_Lipke · Apr 13, 2006

Look at any commercial back hoe or dozer business end that is more than a year or two old. LOTS of weld marks, reinforcing, zig zag wear material all over the the edges that wear. It seems that construction companies have them rebuilt indefinitely. Maybe call a dealer that sells Cat or Deere or other road building type equipment and ask who they have do bucket work, and then talk to them. Should be a cinch for them to straighten and even improve on your little bx bucket.

Bota_Orange · Apr 13, 2006

Thanks for all the advise it is much appreciated. I will just try and repair it like you guys have suggested and maybe beef it up at the same time. I am still awaiting the toothbar and think it should help prevent damage in the future.

Ron,
I was clear for my garage and was trying to move a stump that is way too BIG for my BX2230. I had the bucket up under to roots one on each side of the bucket when one of them gave way, next thing you know dent in the side of my bucket. The permanent smile is from trying to move these same 'too BIG' for the bx stumps. The woods backhoe works great digging large stumps out but the tractor doesn't have enough power to do anything with the stumps once they are broken loose.

Thanks,

Steven

Bota_Orange · Apr 14, 2006

Thanks again guys for all the advice. Here is what we did. My buddy and I took a sledge hammer and we were able to straighten the side of the bucket out to almost perfect, I'm pleased with that. Then we turned the bucket over, bracing it on the ends- ie. no support in the middle. I then drove my F250 Power Stroke Diesel up on it with the front left tire causing the bend to go the opposite direction about twice what it was bent the other way. Let it sit like that for about 5 minutes and no more smiley face. Total cost of repairs: 1- 12 pack. Thanks again.

Egon · Apr 14, 2006

Good show! Easy fix! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Now check into putting on some heavy cutting edge cause we all know your gonna do it again! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tawilson · Apr 14, 2006

When my cutting edge needed replacing, I just straightened it and welded a new one over the old one. It seems to work ok, stiffened it up a lot, and saved cutting the old one off.

Bota_Orange · Apr 14, 2006

Egon,
Your right I am probably gonna screw it up again. I feel better knowing that I can fix it myself if need be. The guy who helped me straighten it has a bx23 and we both are talking about how we can beef up the sides to prevent things like this from occurring in the future. I think the toothbar will assisst on the front of the bucket but I do need to do something about the sides. I have a post in the Owning/Operating segment about the BH6000 and when I get time to take the pic's and post them you will get an idea of how large these stumps are.

Egon · Apr 14, 2006

A piece of cutting edge welded to the front of both sides will do wonders for stiffness. Use something like 1/2 x 4 in.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif