Bucket repairs

[honey_badger]

Looking to repair a 1500mm bucket we picked up cheap, and fit it on our jz70. Will involve new ears and pins, and likely some structural work, weld on a cutting edge namely.
The main question is about cutting edges and what to choose and where is the best place to pick one up.
The old edge is getting a bit thin and isn't especially straight anymore.
What size should I be going for, 12x150, or should I be going thicker? What material is best to get, not a frontline machine by any means, but does see a fair amount of use.

Then for wear strips, should I follow in thickness to the cutting edge, or will 10/12mm x 50mm be ok? Or should I go a bit wider or a bit thicker? And will mild steel hold up long enough there?

This is the bucket as it stands.

 

[hiluxman]

How much is a new one?

 

[Shovelhands]

Is that a Miller bucket?

Are you going to replace the bolt on edge? Or just a welded edge? I’d want it to be 25mm thick I think, if it were mine, butt weld it to the floor rather than lapping it.
Loads of places sell cutting edges. MST , John Moore are two that spring to mind. Astrack also do them I think?
BMC may supply edges, or Evans and Reid.

Definitely got a hardened edge, will last much longer.

Mild steel wear strips will do the job. I’ve used a lot of 8x50 flat in the past, but mainly because I’ve got a heap of it, it gets used for everything! Weight is a consideration on small machine buckets, so don’t go to heavy, but bigger machines it’s not such an issue. If you are buying it for the job I’d have 10-12mm as you suggest.

 

[Shovelhands]

How much is a new one?

I ask myself that now! I don’t mind repairing a bucket that I’ve had good use out of, but I don’t go out buying projects anymore! It never ends up being a cheap experience.....been there, done that!

 

[honey_badger]

How much is a new one?

yeah well we thought that too, after we got this one however... Digbits around 700 or so, can get others a bit cheaper around 500 with cutting edge included.

 

[honey_badger]

Is that a Miller bucket?

Are you going to replace the bolt on edge? Or just a welded edge? I’d want it to be 25mm thick I think, if it were mine, butt weld it to the floor rather than lapping it.
Loads of places sell cutting edges. MST , John Moore are two that spring to mind. Astrack also do them I think?
BMC may supply edges, or Evans and Reid.

Definitely got a hardened edge, will last much longer.

Mild steel wear strips will do the job. I’ve used a lot of 8x50 flat in the past, but mainly because I’ve got a heap of it, it gets used for everything! Weight is a consideration on small machine buckets, so don’t go to heavy, but bigger machines it’s not such an issue. If you are buying it for the job I’d have 10-12mm as you suggest.

I was thinking of getting a weld on edge and sticking it under that one, where the bolt on edge is supposed to go and welding it on like that. It won't see mega use. So you would cut the one with bolt holes out and weld a new one in there instead of just welding one on under the current one protruding a bit?

 

[hiluxman]

I ask myself that now! I don’t mind repairing a bucket that I’ve had good use out of, but I don’t go out buying projects anymore! It never ends up being a cheap experience.....been there, done that!

Yes, i think we all do.

I get offered loads of buckets and unless its mint they aint worth buying, they either sit awaiting repair that never happens or you lose time on a job as youve got to mess about sorting it.

 

[hiluxman]

yeah well we thought that too, after we got this one however... Digbits around 700 or so, can get others a bit cheaper around 500 with cutting edge included.

Its a trade off, dont forget to factor in time doing it esp if your busy on day to day work. Also if you buy new you can flog it once its old and worn to another buyer who will snap your hand off, viscous circle.

 

[honey_badger]

Its a trade off, dont forget to factor in time doing it esp if your busy on day to day work. Also if you buy new you can flog it once its old and worn to another buyer who will snap your hand off, viscous circle.

We're farmers, don't tend to sell stuff hahaha
Don't even scrap stuff 'it'll come in handy one day'

 

[Shovelhands]

I was thinking of getting a weld on edge and sticking it under that one, where the bolt on edge is supposed to go and welding it on like that. It won't see mega use. So you would cut the one with bolt holes out and weld a new one in there instead of just welding one on under the current one protruding a bit?

If the edge is bent, then yes, I’d definitely cut it out and replace it with a solid edge. It will be lighter and be easier to use. You can always use that old edge as a wear strip just behind the cutting edge if you wish. But I can see why you‘d want to just stick one underneath, it would be easier to do. But if it’s been used without the bolt on edge, as it appears to have been, then it won’t be flat and it will be an arse to weld the new edge on.

 

[hiluxman]

We're farmers, don't tend to sell stuff hahaha
Don't even scrap stuff 'it'll come in handy one day'

Been my sentiment for years but not any more, its still hard for me to get away from it but why keep stuff that will realistically never see use again or have it in the way for years to use a 4inch piece of it.

 

[Thomas7740]

Will need to double check but this brand new Scott 5ft bucket was £340 im September from what i remember

 

[honey_badger]

Will need to double check but this brand new Scott 5ft bucket was £340 im September from what i remember

Um well if its close to that might just order one of them then lol

 

[honey_badger]

However our digging bucket edge is dying and was planning to use the cutting edge offcut to repair that at some point. Seeing as they seem to come in 2.5 or 3m lengths.

Oh - and I've already cut the pins out to use in my digger-telehandler adaptor...

 

[Smiffy]

However our digging bucket edge is dying and was planning to use the cutting edge offcut to repair that at some point. Seeing as they seem to come in 2.5 or 3m lengths

Agrilink use to be cheap for hardox edges especially if you use them for wearing parts

 

[Shovelhands]

However our digging bucket edge is dying and was planning to use the cutting edge offcut to repair that at some point. Seeing as they seem to come in 2.5 or 3m lengths.

Oh - and I've already cut the pins out to use in my digger-telehandler adaptor...

You should be able to buy an edge in any length you want, MST and the like, will supply edges to exact measurements.

 

[V8Druid]

However our digging bucket edge is dying and was planning to use the cutting edge offcut to repair that at some point. Seeing as they seem to come in 2.5 or 3m lengths.

Oh - and I've already cut the pins out to use in my digger-telehandler adaptor...

can get it in 25' lengths from Dyfeds

 

[Nick...]

I’ve found it false economy to repair buckets on small 1.5/2.5 ton machines.time you have cut the edge of and welded another on it’s not really dearer to buy a new one.but I guess we never add in labour cost .
nick...

 

[Steve]

I’ve found it false economy to repair buckets on small 1.5/2.5 ton machines.time you have cut the edge of and welded another on it’s not really dearer to buy a new one.but I guess we never add in labour cost .
nick...

I agree with this on smaller machines I have bought a new bucket to replace one that needed new teeth as the price difference didn’t justify the new teeth.

 

[Lynchy]

We're farmers, don't tend to sell stuff hahaha
Don't even scrap stuff 'it'll come in handy one day'

Even if it's never used.....still come in handy