How to unbend a bucket

[jwnge]

I had a big rock that needed to be moved.. I could not lift it. I centered my bucket and with just a little up pressure, I was able to push it.. When I had it pushed to where I wanted it, I got off and was looking , quite impressed that the little tractor had been able to move such a large rock, but I had bent the top bucket lip. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I hate the fact that my new tractor, 30 hrs, has a bend in the bucket.. What would be the best way to straighten this. It is in the angle at the top of the bucket... John

 

[jwnge]

The rocks

 

[thcri]

It might be tough to straighten that bend. Unless you can get something in behind it and pound out. If it were me, I would chalk it up to battle scars. You will get them unless you just keep that pretty little red thing in the garage!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I think there was another post some time ago about the dings and dents we get, we all will get them sometime. Alls you have to do is give a Tim Allen grunt everytime you look at your bucket and remember the rock you moved!!

murph

 

[JimR]

I really can't see where your bend is. You will need a torch, large hammer and some time. One cure for future bends is to put a piece of heavy pipe across the rear of the lip and weld it all the way across. This will strenghten up that whole area.

 

[Bob_K]

I see the bend in your post, And if it was mine I would get a block or length of steel and a large C-clamp.
Put the block of steel on the outside of the bent area and then put the c-clamp where the bend is and see if it will pull out. Some do and some dont. If it get to be to much for the c-clamp add a little heat with a tourch to the bent spot, then it should be able to pull it out.

Add if all fails smile and know the you beat the rock.

 

[Henro]

That's a very nice looking tractor!

I would "unbend" it by getting a piece of heavy angle, 2x2x.25" or 3/8" even better, and weld it across the top edge of the bucket. This would hide that little bend and make the top lip MUCH stronger.

Then I would then weld three bucket hooks on top of the angle, before painting everything matching red... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

In my case I used grab hooks in front of the loader arms and a slip hook in the center and I am pretty happy with that setup.

My bucket top lip is a different design than yours, but after welding a piece of angle on it, it has become quite strong...attached is a picture of my setup... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Should be able to get behind it with a hammer or put a chunck of metal on the front and use a clamp to pull it out.

Here's what it a well used bucket looks like. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's had a new cutting edge, new piece of steel plate welded to the bottom edge where it had wore through and both areas where the arms attach have had to be rewelded.

Egon

 

[Bob_K]

Not to get away from the posted toppic, But I think this might relate to the bending of a loader. I was looking at where henro added his hooks, When you look at his posting there in a place that if you lifted a heavy load it could bend the top rail on the loader. When I had mine added to my loader I made sure that they where welded on the very outside of the top of the loader. This way they have more saport with the side walls of the loader bucket.
I guess we all have our reasons for what we do, So on and so forth

 

[kozak]

Just like all the others have said, sooner or later your going to break in that tractor. Should be able to pound out that bend.

Looking at that RoCKs pic, WOW would I ever love to have that kind of terrain on my property. No end of fun & buried treasure. You truly have it made.

 

[Big_Lug]

I would try a nice size cresent wrench by pulling it back with the jaws.