Straightening cutting edge on FEL bucket

[geneP]

My Kubota LA1150A loader bucket has a "smile" bent into the cutting edge. I haven't pulled a string and measured, but it looks like maybe 2 or 3". I supported the ends with cuts of a log and pushed down on it with the loader frame but there isn't enough weight.

What have you done with success to cure this? Advice is appreciated.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Never had to tackle this problem but maybe a body shop with a frame straighter could do it for a small fee.

 

[BethelHntr]

I'm in the same boat as you are gene, I had used my clamp on bucket forks to lift some awful heavy cotton wood logs when ridding the property of the crap wood that we let grow to long.

The cutting edge bent where each forks mounted and the bottom of the bucket bent as well where the clamps were tightened, My plan was to cut the welds to the ce and install a new bolt on type and possibly replace the bottom of the bucket if I cant straighten it out.

Needless to say the clamp on forks went on down the road.

 

[jlgurr]

I've thought about addressing the same problem on mine, and yes MY improper use is what caused the problem. Anyway, my thought was to hook a chain on each end of the bucket with a loop in it. Set a small bottle jack in the loop and tighten it up against the offending edge. Then apply pressure to it and "over bend" so that when the jack is released the spring back would leave it about normal again. Would take some trial and error. You know, like over bend one inch and see where it springs back to. Then over bend two inches and check, etc.

Mine is not bad enough for all this effort yet but if it gets that way I'll let you know my results. OR, if it sounds like a plausible idea and you try it then you could update us.

 

[arnoldziffel]

A Body Shop can do this.

 

[amaxwell]

I'm in the same boat as you are gene, I had used my clamp on bucket forks to lift some awful heavy cotton wood logs when ridding the property of the crap wood that we let grow to long.

The cutting edge bent where each forks mounted and the bottom of the bucket bent as well where the clamps were tightened, My plan was to cut the welds to the ce and install a new bolt on type and possibly replace the bottom of the bucket if I cant straighten it out.

Needless to say the clamp on forks went on down the road.

I also bent my bucket into a smile with clamp on forks, I have a welding and fab. shop, just down the road and they straightened it for me. He said they used a press and heat . You would have to look close to know it was ever bent, so it was 50.00 well spent to fix my mistake.

 

[PILOON]

Add me to the list.
When I installed my home made bucket tooth bar I faced that problem.
To add to the challenge my tooth bar slightly curved the other way. (welding heat)
Since the 2 curves were opposite to each other a 10 lb sledge convinced them to mate however that now may be for life. LOL.
('til death do we part?)

 

[CobyRupert]

Anyway, my thought was to hook a chain on each end of the bucket with a loop in it. Set a small bottle jack in the loop and tighten it up against the offending edge. Then apply pressure to it and "over bend" so that when the jack is released the spring back would leave it about normal again. Would take some trial and error. You know, like over bend one inch and see where it springs back to. Then over bend two inches and check, etc.

I'm trying to follow this. Would you put the jack under and against the bucket lip? Seem like jack would slip sideways as the chain gets taut, and/or you'd be pulling the chain down where it goes around the front of the lip? Would this counter the jack pushing up on the lip from the other side?

Or would you put the jack on Top of the bucket, tighten the chain and hope the lip is the weak spot that bends?

I'm really interested to see what works (i.e. what can turn my smile into a frown, or preferably just a grimace. Yes, it was clamp on forks lifting a stump ball/rear wheels. )

 

[geneP]

Thanks for the comments so far. The jack-in-a-sling would work in theory, but keeping the upper and lower loops of the sling in line with the pressure point on the bucket might prove to be a challenge. Maybe a welding shop would be able to put enough heat on it to push it back in shape, or a body shop using their frame machine, but I'm looking to do it on the cheap if possible. Ideas welcome.

 

[Tomtint]

A couple years ago my 72" Skidsteer bucket had a bent cutting edge. It was caused by digging into a pile of huge rocks and lifting a big one out. A friend of mine has a Cat excavator ( big one ) and we flipped the bucket upside down and up on chalks so he could bend the lip by pushing down on the underside with the excavator bucket. Worked great, mine was about 3/4" bent and is now almost perfect.