fel bucket has a bow in it

jinmared · May 9, 2008

I put a bow in my FEL bucket while picking up logs.
Does any one have any ideas of how to make my bucket straight again.
thanks

Flatheadyoungin · May 9, 2008

on the cutting edge?

mine does too...

i've tried floor jacks but it just bent the top edge of the bucket.....

curious as to the responses....

firemanpat2910 · May 9, 2008

my first thought is heat it and wack it with big sledge. Then make it tougher.

rdbrumfield · May 9, 2008

I have bent mine many times and straightened it.
I use a chain from one side to the other and put the jack where you need to put the pressure. this has worked for me many times. If your chain is too long use a binder to take up the slack. Might take an extra set of hands to set up, but it works.
the top of most buckets are so flimsy that the first thing I have done with the tractors I have had is to reinforce them. A two to three inch heavy wall pipe has done the job for me. then if you want to put a hook or shackle on it you don't have to worry about folding the bucket.

MJPetersen · May 9, 2008

Can you post a picture of the damage and the bucket. I can make a better suggestion if I see exactly what it is that needs to be accomplished. You really can do a lot with a hydraulic jack if you place it right and give it the right backing.

Mike

3RRL · May 9, 2008

Try putting down pressure with the fel on top of a stack of 2" x 6"'s right where the bend is... maybe use 2 stacks or a couple 6 x 6's so they don't shoot out. Perhaps that might be enough force to bend it straight again? Do it carefully to see if it responds, and if it does, move the boards around to get an even, flat bottom again.
If it's not enough force, a little persuasion with a heavy mallet while the pressure is on.

skipmarcy · May 9, 2008

I've had luck a couple of times putting the center lip of the bucket on a good-sized stump and bounced the front of the tractor on it gently. Also have used my 10# sledgehammer with the bucket lip on a good 6x6 or crosstie - this works good on the shorter, sharper bends in the lip but it sure takes alot of work with that sledge. For just a long, sloping bend from side to side, the stump trick usually works if your tractor is heavy enough. My buckets have extra bracing in the upper rolled lip that help stiffen the whole thing, plus it backs my bucket hook I have in the center. I used 3" channel in my 5' bucket and some very heavy 4" x 1/4" angle iron on my 6' bucket. I can pretty much lift with my hook up to loader capacity without warping my buckets.

2310 guy · May 10, 2008

firemanpat2910 said:
my first thought is heat it and wack it with big sledge. Then make it tougher.

Thats what I did when I bowed my FEL.

oldhippy · May 10, 2008

If your bend is a long slope and not a sharp bend one way is to use small amounts of heat and water. Take a torch and heat a small spot about 3/4 inch and then cool with water. You will have to do this several times along the edge heating the back side. I would get a pc of scrap metal and try this to see which way the metal bends when you cool it. I have bent plates up to 6" or so with this method. You can also use this to straighten shafts. I would start out with heated spots about inches apart and the go in between as you needed more bend. This might work for you. big dan