"Clangy" bucket on a 3CX

[Scraperman]

Probably a stupid question but my Project 8 3CX has developed what I call a clangy bucket. It's only the 30" bucket that makes the noise as bad as it is, the other buckets are O.K. But I use this bucket for most of my work unless I am ditching or draining.

I put some new bushes in the bucket pin holes but that doesn't make it any better. In fact the bushes, although new, were very loose in the holes when I put them in. I don't have a lathe anymore otherwise I could turn some thin mild steel bushes out sufficient to take up some of the slack, weld them in the bucket holes, and then put the official bushes back inside them.
Is it possible to buy anything like this at all ? I could use thin steel strip but that would be messy. Does anyone know what the I/D of the bucket holes should be and what the O/D of the bucket pins should be please ?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

 

[V8Druid]

Probably a stupid question but my Project 8 3CX has developed what I call a clangy bucket. It's only the 30" bucket that makes the noise as bad as it is, the other buckets are O.K. But I use this bucket for most of my work unless I am ditching or draining.

I put some new bushes in the bucket pin holes but that doesn't make it any better. In fact the bushes, although new, were very loose in the holes when I put them in. I don't have a lathe anymore otherwise I could turn some thin mild steel bushes out sufficient to take up some of the slack, weld them in the bucket holes, and then put the official bushes back inside them.
Is it possible to buy anything like this at all ? I could use thin steel strip but that would be messy. Does anyone know what the I/D of the bucket holes should be and what the O/D of the bucket pins should be please ?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

2" and 1-3/4" from memory

 

[T whiting]

The holes in the ears of the bucket will be worn you can build them up with weld and die grind them into shape to tighten them up.

 

[Scraperman]

2" and 1-3/4" from memory

Thanks. I'll get the digital caliper out tomorrow.

 

[Scraperman]

The holes in the ears of the bucket will be worn you can build them up with weld and die grind them into shape to tighten them up.

Mmmmm. Is that a series of internal runs of weld from one side of the hole to the other or just a circular run around each side of the hole at the entrance ?

 

[Left hooker]

2" and 1-3/4" from memory

Yeah inch and 3/4 pins even the modern 3cxs are still imperial pins as 45mm is not quite right for them

 

[Scraperman]

Yeah inch and 3/4 pins even the modern 3cxs are still imperial pins as 45mm is not quite right for them

That's useful. Thank you. Anyone know if the pins are just mild steel ? I assume that the bushes for them are spring steel ?

 

[V8Druid]

That's useful. Thank you. Anyone know if the pins are just mild steel ? I assume that the bushes for them are spring steel ?

yeh ... all knock in spring steel bushes

dipper end bush

ram end bushes

JCB PARTS - SPRING STEEL BUSH (LENGTH: 114 MM;O.D 52 MM; I.D: 46 MM) (1208/0023) 5056223826731 | eBay

If no JCB Machine Serial Number. This part will fit various JCB Models but you need to check suitability for your machine by giving us your. is given before purchasing, we will dispatch this part as advertised with JCB Part Number 1208/0023.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Scraperman]

yeh ... all knock in spring steel bushes

Thank you. I'm surprised that the dipper end bush is like that. I would have thought it should have been more substantial than that. But just looked on the spares web site and it looks as if it is also the same bush that is used in the part of the bucket linkage that joins the dipper.

 

[Scraperman]

I've had an idea (never a good thing ! ) Supposing I get the existing bucket bushes and run some weld round the raised part of them, as per my piccie below, just enough to make sure that they are tight in the bucket pin holes ? Might even put the bush(es) in the vice and tighten them up enough so that the pin fits nicely in them which in turn would give me an idea as to how much weld I would need to put on them.

 

[Smiffy]

I've had an idea (never a good thing ! ) Supposing I get the existing bucket bushes and run some weld round the raised part of them, as per my piccie below, just enough to make sure that they are tight in the bucket pin holes ? Might even put the bush(es) in the vice and tighten them up enough so that the pin fits nicely in them which in turn would give me an idea as to how much weld I would need to put on them.

View attachment 39937

Just remember the holes wear egg shaped not round

 

[Scraperman]

Just remember the holes wear egg shaped not round

B****r. Hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

 

[Gecko]

Supposing I get the existing bucket bushes and run some weld round the raised part of them, as per my piccie below,

It'll build up the bush, but it'll also anneal the bush - it'll fit tighter, but won't be wear resistant due to the soft steel.
1-3/4" pin works out at 44.4499mm

so a 45mm pin will reduce the slop by 0.5mm.
That'll be a lot easier than adding some weld metal to a bush.

 

[Scraperman]

It'll build up the bush, but it'll also anneal the bush - it'll fit tighter, but won't be wear resistant due to the soft steel.
1-3/4" pin works out at 44.4499mm

so a 45mm pin will reduce the slop by 0.5mm.
That'll be a lot easier than adding some weld metal to a bush.

Thank you for that Gecko. I never even gave it a thought about the welding process taking the temper out of the steel. Another of my ideas down the drain. I was thinking of putting a patent on the process as well !

Q: How do I take the play out of an egg shaped hole ? Been for a Covid booster this morning and now it is persisting down with rain so no play today.

 

[Left hooker]

Thank you for that Gecko. I never even gave it a thought about the welding process taking the temper out of the steel. Another of my ideas down the drain. I was thinking of putting a patent on the process as well !

Q: How do I take the play out of an egg shaped hole ? Been for a Covid booster this morning and now it is persisting down with rain so no play today.

If your not planning on taking bucket off often expander bolts or get it line bored

 

[Left hooker]

Remember when new they were a **** to remove pins as that tight having to hold a bar on pin and another employee swinging sledge full pelt to knock them out
Once out would swap pins with older machine for a week or 2 then swap back then you would be able to almost slide them in by hand with a couple light taps with lump hammer

 

[Scraperman]

If your not planning on taking bucket off often expander bolts or get it line bored

Not sure what to do about this problem now. It is the bucket that I use most nowadays and in fact I think it is the third 3CX that I've used it on which might explain why I have the problem. If I was still contracting then it would probably be time for a new bucket but I will try and think of a cheaper solution.

 

[Scraperman]

Remember when new they were a **** to remove pins as that tight having to hold a bar on pin and another employee swinging sledge full pelt to knock them out
Once out would swap pins with older machine for a week or 2 then swap back then you would be able to almost slide them in by hand with a couple light taps with lump hammer

Oh yes, they could be a bit tight when new.

 

[craig]

Not sure what to do about this problem now. It is the bucket that I use most nowadays and in fact I think it is the third 3CX that I've used it on which might explain why I have the problem. If I was still contracting then it would probably be time for a new bucket but I will try and think of a cheaper solution.

Get a quick hitch and weld the pins in

 

[V8Druid]

Get a quick hitch and weld the pins in

make it worse if it's a spring hitch