JD 3320 w/ 448hoe question..

CrashedCT · Mar 25, 2008

Currently, I have a 3320 with a 448 backhoe. One of the things I did not get at time of purchase was the upgrade to the 18" HD backhoe bucket. So far.. I have now broken the second tooth shank on this bucket. The 1st time it was an end tooth so I figured that while pulling a stump it just got caught and broke off ( kind of strange but I brushed it off as just one of those things except for the fact that the shank broke even with the bucket edge.) no problem.. dealer ground off shank and welded new shank on for me - no charge. Just yesterday.. I was back out digging more stumps. and POP.. I broke off a different tooth on the same bucket. Same exact break as before except this time the shank that broke was on a middle tooth - that rules out the possiblity of catching 1 edge tooth on sonething big and snapping it off. - I am confused.. am I doing something wrong? are these buckets made in China? is JD using cheap steel? - I have never before( prior to this machine) been able to break off bucket teeth so efficiently. I even looked into the 18" HD bucket.. had a bit more reinforcement on the bucket itself but the teeth & shanks were exactly the same.. does anyone have any thoughts?? as I am one the proud owner of a 3 out of 4 tooth bucket once again.

plastikosmd · Mar 25, 2008

funny, my dealer would only sell me the HD bucket (448 on order) and when I got the loader, strongly insisted getting the HD front bucket. Other than strap steel, he also told me that the HD backhoe bucket has diffrerent teeth..so now I'm not sure?

someones pics of a HD bucket are here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/jd-owning-operating/99837-447-448-bucket-pics.html?highlight=448

and in this post..there is mention that the shanks are different, the shanks were holding up..but the teeth were not-so people are upgrading the teeth.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...389-448-hoe-teeth-re-visit.html?highlight=448

dirtworksequip · Mar 25, 2008

CrashedCt, any equipment and I mean any. Up to the mightiest machines on Earth will break under stress. I've seen tooth shanks on huge excavators pop when the incorrect leverage was exerted. If you don't know when to ease up on what you are trying to do.....................something is going to break.

Sincerely, Dirt

CrashedCT · Mar 25, 2008

guys.. thanks for the quick response. I think it is time to revisit this with my dealer.. as I had inquired and was shown pics of what I was told was the HD bucket and it the same tooth design and the standard with what looked to be reinforcement along the bottom.. The pic posted of the HD bucket shows shanks that weld top and bottom.. if that is the case.. then I need to have a different conversation with my dealer.

I agree.. anything will break given enough stress. I agreed with my error the first time when I broke and end shank.. however, this time I broke a middle shank while pulling up on a stump and all 3 other teeth and shanks are fine.. makes me think a bit.. I do agree that I need to tailor my methods for the 448being a smaller BH than I am used to.. (this may keep my teeth longer) it just seems a bit strange that it has happened twice so far.. and when looking at the cross section of the metal where it broke it appears similiar to diecast.. has air holes in it.. obviously it is not diecast but it just seems strange..

any additional feedback is welcome... I will also repost as to the outcome of my conversation with my dealer in regards to the Standard vs HD bucket saga.

thanks again.

GreatWhitehunter · Mar 25, 2008

Crashed if you do a search you'll find a thread about this exact issue. I had shanks breaking left and right on my 448. I made my dealer remove them all and had a welder at work attach them. I haven't broken on since. The issue was the shanks are cold forged and the stress from welding the m on with out pre heating seems to make the brittle. My dealer now recommend an up grade to the bucket and adding 110 teeth to it. If I break more shanks I will upgrade to the 110 teeth. One other side not is on operation. Don't try to drag with the teeth past 30 degrees theres just too much rocks here in CT. Use the heavy side of the bucket to cut through the roots. I broke most of mind stumoing some huge oaks. The 448 is pretty powerful and the shanks just weren't engineered to the power of the hoe. Hope this helped.

Matt T.

CrashedCT · Mar 26, 2008

Matt - I agree that part of my problem may be technique. I am used to larger, more powerful machines so I tend to use this machine as I would them. I am trying to fix that.. it is a WIP(one of many). I spoke with the dealer yesterday and they are doing some research on the differences between the 18" ST / HD buckets. According to JD they run the same teeth on both.. and do not list a different tooth or shank P/N for the HD bucket. My dealer has been solid and great to deal with so far and I will post the info. when I have more.
I too have gotten to enjoy quite a bit of digging in CT soil.. I actually starting to think that on my property there are more rocks than dirt. broken teeth or not my 3320 definitely beats my old standby method - shovel and wheel barrel. It's a bit frustrating though to be breaking shanks every time out especially when I have over 20 more stumps to pull. but on the bright side.. I have learned that trees that grow on sloped lots are a bit more stubborn than flat land trees.. they just don't seem to want to let go.

thanks for the info..

- Jon

CrashedCT · Apr 7, 2008

latest update. Dealer replaced teeth. after last shank broke.. went out to pulll more stumps minus on tooth/shank.. broke another shank within 2 minutes of digging. quit for the day and took the bucket to get new shanks/teeth welded. Worth noting. Dealer now getting Pengo 20A teeth and shanks from Deere parts - no longer the standard Deere teeth and shanks..