How Do I Repair Howse ES30 Dirt Scoop?

Markey · May 26, 2007

Today, I backed my 3 pt. Howse ES30 dirtscoop into a hillside to get a load of dirt. While backing into the hillside, I hit a large rock that severly twisted the cross-bar angle iron that holds the release bar and also slightly pushed in the rear of the scoop. Please see photo. How can I twist everything back into shape? Unfortunately, I am not a welder. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

RoyJackson · May 26, 2007

Markey said:
Today, I backed my 3 pt. Howse ES30 dirtscoop into a hillside to get a load of dirt. While backing into the hillside, I hit a large rock that severly twisted the cross-bar angle iron that holds the release bar and also slightly pushed in the rear of the scoop. Please see photo. How can I twist everything back into shape? Unfortunately, I am not a welder. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

If it still dumps OK...I'd leave it like it is...

If it doesn't, you should have that member cut out and replaced...maybe with a thicker angle bar. If you can't do, take it to your local welding shop. This would be a good time to beef it up a bit too.

As far as repairing it at home...you really need a gas torch (Oxy-Acetelyne or MAPP Gas), then use a crescent wrench or similar tool. It'll be tough to get it really straight though.

MJPetersen · May 27, 2007

The angle is not that thick--I would think that a couple of pipe wrenches and a big Cresent would straighten the angle--even cold (heat helps)--of course the best way would be to cut it out and weld in a new piece. You will need some way that holds onto the scoop so that you can put some real pressure on the angle. If you took the scoop off you could use a hammer and anvil to straighten the angle.

The pan you can straighten with some judicious use of a 20#.

I am trying to picture how you did this. I know you said that you hit a rock, but I do not see how that would cause the damage that you have. I built a scoop for myself and have hit immovable objects (cement septic lid) and have bent the lift arms, the lift pin on the scoop, and the lift pin bracket but never beyond that.

Maybe if the scoop was angled down sharply with a very long top link--

In Warsaw,

Mike

normde2001 · May 27, 2007

Markey said:
Today, I backed my 3 pt. Howse ES30 dirtscoop into a hillside to get a load of dirt. While backing into the hillside, I hit a large rock that severly twisted the cross-bar angle iron that holds the release bar and also slightly pushed in the rear of the scoop. Please see photo. How can I twist everything back into shape? Unfortunately, I am not a welder. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Looks like you've about got the "good" out of that scoop anyhow. Time for a new one; otherwise a visegrip and a length of pipe for leverage should straighten the "L" frame, and a little sledge work will straighten the bucket.

Markey · May 27, 2007

MJPetersen said:
I am trying to picture how you did this. I know you said that you hit a rock, but I do not see how that would cause the damage that you have.

Thank you for your advice. While digging, when I quickly backed the edge of the lip of the scoop into the large immovable rock, the force pushed the rear wall of the scoop into the solid steel trip-lever. Since the trip-lever is solidly attached to the angle iron, that is what caused the angle iron to severely twist. Also, the crash of the rear part of the scoop into the solid steel trip-lever, caused the rear part of the scoop pan to bend as shown in the photo. In the future, I think that I will be very careful when backing the scoop into an area which may contain huge rocks.

joes_427_vette · May 27, 2007

Send it to John Bud. He lives for grinding, welding, and filling cracks.

MJPetersen · May 28, 2007

Markey said:
MJPetersen said:

In the future, I think that I will be very careful when backing the scoop into an area which may contain huge rocks.

Click to expand...

Well for sure you know where the weak link is. I seriously think that you can straighten it out sufficiently with a large cresent/pipe wrench and a piece of pipe for an extension. The trick will be to hold the scoop securely while applying the necessary pressure. Maybe hook it up to the 3pt in drag mode and block the lift arms down.

Or use the power of your tractor to pull the handle of the cresent attached to the vertical part of the twisted angle iron.

Or (more control) use a cable come-a-long attached to the cresent and an imovable object (tree?).

Or separate the scoop from the frame and stand each part on its tail and massage it with a hammer. You will need some blocks and such, but I am sure that you can get it pretty straight.

Just remember that once it has bent it will bend the second time even more easily.

You should be able to get the twist out. Best of success!!

Mike in Warsaw

Slamfire · May 28, 2007

I've got a single row cultivator that looks a lot like that, apparently the original owner hooked something and the pull of his tractor moved the middle while the ends stayed put. Let me know how you fix yours.

JerryK · May 28, 2007

I bent mine like yours right after I got it. I cut the angle iron across the back off, and welded in a piece of 1/4" walled 3" square tubing in it's place. I also welded some scrap pieces of 1/4" plate underneath just behind the cutting edge, to add more weight to the front so it would dump easier. These things just won't hold up to much abuse as they come from the factory, especially with 2 1/2 tons of JD shoving it into the ground [rocks,roots, etc.]. I've used it many times since I rebuilt it, and it's held up to anything I needed it for.