Straightening Bucket Edge?

[RedNeckGeek]

Anybody have suggestions for straightening a bent bucket edge? Apparently the previous owner was using it to remove stumps and rocks (he also ripped off the top hydraulic cylinder mounts). I've tried using screw type chain binders but wasn't strong enough to make it move. Thought about flame straightening, but wasn't sure what pattern would work best. I just thought this isn't the first time a bucket has been damaged like this and there might be a simple solution.

Thanks in advance,

Scot

 

[petegoud]

I've straightened mine before using a hydraulic pull back ram and chains. I'm using a 10 ton Harbor Freight portable pump.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Heat works great... when the bend is concentrated in one small area. When spread over a larger area than an ox/act torch can heat up evenly, you might be better off bending cold... but that takes a lot more force to do.

 

[Deere Dude]

Try a log splitter set in the vertical position. I straightened out a bent box blade using that method.

 

[Xfaxman]

Turn the bucket upside down, put a jack on the high spot, loop a chain under the outside edges. Bend it a little past straight and let it spring back. Keep going a little farther until it springs back straight. :thumbsup:

That is how I straightened my bent box blade.

 

[stonypass]

Previous owner of my L4200 had moved a lot of round bales with a spike bolted to the bucket so it had noticeable smile in it.

I tried numerous methods that failed but when I had a local welder over for some work he said he could straighten it.
It wasn't just the front edge either the bottom was bowed as well.
Using quite a bit of heat and some well placed blows with a sledge hammer he did, its completely straight now.

The key seemed to be knowing just where to heat it and just where to hit it.
Took him about 30 minutes, but would have taken me much longer even if I'd had the torch.

 

[Egon]

Heat and a big hammer was what was used to get rid of my bucket smile.

 

[RedNeckGeek]

Turn the bucket upside down, put a jack on the high spot, loop a chain under the outside edges. Bend it a little past straight and let it spring back.

Gave it a try this morning, and while I was able to get the edge to move about an inch below flat, it sprang back to just about where it started. I only had a 2 ton bottle jack and I could feel the over pressure valve releasing, so I'll see if I can round up a bigger jack and try again. The log splitter idea looks interesting, too, and I think the bucket will just fit, so that's another possibility.

Thanks for all the ideas!

 

[RedNeckGeek]

To close this one off, I had to admit defeat after trying both a 20 ton bottle jack, and using the backhoe of a neighbor's giant CAT. The tractor that came with the bucket is for sale, and if they want the old bucket, it's theirs for the taking.

 

[Username Taken]

To close this one off, I had to admit defeat after trying both a 20 ton bottle jack, and using the backhoe of a neighbor's giant CAT. The tractor that came with the bucket is for sale, and if they want the old bucket, it's theirs for the taking.

I am not one of them, but there are people out there (machinists/welders) that know how to heat-straighten metal.

I've watched a man heat strighten bent, 4'', 5'' thick crankshafts years ago several times.