Got new Marham tooth bar, side tab bent! Help!

[fatcat]

Just had my new tooth bar delivered for my BX23 from Marham today and one of the side tabs is bent about 30 degrees! Darn gorillas loading stuff onto trucks!

Can I just try to hammer it back into shape, or should I try heating it first ... all I have for a torch is just a plan MAP gas for copper pipes. I really don't want to have to send it back and order a new one.

What can I do!!

 

[Bowhunter]

I'd think it would be alright to just bend in back into position. Hammer, big pliers, or a pipe slipped over the tab.

 

[fatcat]

That would have to be one heck of a pair of pliers or pipe ... this stuff is 1/2" steel!
I'll try banging it out with a 5 lb. sledge tomorrow.
I just don't want to weaken its strength by bending it back.

 

[beenthere]

Best contact the shipping company, and/or Marham. Damaged goods.

A big sledge might move it, or take it to a welder and have it heated and bent back, or have it cut off and re-welded.

 

[Freds]

Technically speaking... it's already been weakened.
I don't know how Markham's (sp?) are designed, but on an ATI, the load isn't really on the tabs, so I wouldn't worry about its strength if there is a lip of sorts that hooks to the front edge of the bucket. I would try to bend it back without heating it first. Set it on a cement block and whack it with a sledge.

...or ask the same trucking outfit if they will toss it back in one of their trucks for a day.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SeymourBota]

Really, the purpose of the tab is to hold the toothbar in place as the bucket backs out or backdrags- very little stress.
I would pound it back within reason with a small sledge and then use the bolt/nut and washers to finish the job.
Mine had also bent slightly in when shipped- no permanent damage done.

 

[fatcat]

Ok fellas, I'll beat the heck out of it tomorrow.

I can't wait to install it and start busting up some of the ground around here ... I still have soil that is frozen so this will help.

 

[Bowhunter]

I didn't know how think it was so pliers are out. If the pipe is long enough, bending would be a piece of cake. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DJLX]

If you got one of those huge adjustable wrenches (18") they work good at bending things. Depending on the gap at the bucket you might bend it a little anyway when tightening the bolts. The toothbar I got from Markham was to fit my X585 which it did. Then I upgraded to a2210 and the bucket was about a 1 1/2" wider so had to make spacers for it to bolt up.

 

[rswyan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That would have to be one heck of a pair of pliers or pipe ... this stuff is 1/2" steel! )</font>

Take it to somebody that has a hydraulic press - like your local auto repair place or parts store with a machine shop - it will save you from having to beat the snot out of it.

As far as bending with a large lever, I'd be leery of doing that without seeing the attaching welds to the rest of the toothbar - it's possible that the welds might break before the piece you are bending actually bends - 1/2" steel is pretty tough.