Straightening cutting edge on FEL bucket

[Xfaxman]

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.
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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. )

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.

I have straightened many things with a jack and a chain. It just requires getting the pressure at the right place.

For the bucket, I would take it off, turn it over, set the base of the jack on the high spot and run the chain over the jack and under the lip of the bucket, one loop, connected to itself.

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is another method for straightening large items, if you have a gooseneck trailer.

 

[john_bud]

The cutting edge is probably high carbon steel that is strong, tough, wear resistant but brittle.
Too much bending and they crack.

 

[jlgurr]

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. )

Xfaxman explained my idea perfectly in his pics. It would be easier with the bucket off and upside down.

Sent from my iPhone using TractorByNet

 

[troutsqueezer]

I have seen pics here of people using their log splitter to straighten the bucket lip.