Front end loader repair

Nissan11

Nissan11

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Location
Marston, NC
My dad has a John Deere 2040 that he bought many many years ago with some kind of aftermarket front end loader on it. The loader has always worked great, and our favorite thing about it is the deep, narrow bucket. Over the years I have done a lot of patch work to it and it needs more now.
My dad wants me to cut out and replace the back bottom part of the bucket where holes are rusting through. I can do it, but I'm starting to think that with all the repair work that has been done to this bucket that it may be better to just build a new bucket instead of continuing to dump nickel and dimes into this one which is deteriorating.
I have a welder but I dont have a great way to cut thick steel. I added several big gussetts to the cylinder mount on the back of the bucket using 1/4" plate and I remember I went through a lot of cutting wheels on my angle grinder doing it.
Also, I can't bend plate except with the torch/hammer method so all of the work to create the curve in the bucket would be done by angling strips of steel plate. and welding it together.


Any input?


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You looking for input on fixing or someone who can do it?
 
Im looking for input on fixing it, but if someone is close to Greensboro and wants to give me a quote on building a new one just like it that would be great. I dont think my old man wants to spend a whole lot on it though.
 
You need a cutting edge on that bucket. really that will fix your problem. You don't need to build a new bucket. Just plate in the rusted part. You want this to work for you, not you work for it..

Rent some torches. This is only a few hours work with the right tools.

When you weld the cutting edge on use something like a 7018 rod, or Co2 shielded flux core. you need high nickle content to bond the hardened cutting edge to the mild steel of the bucket.
 
Realistically you need to use AR500 or similar for the bucket and some hard-facing welding rods.

I'd have a local shop cut and bend the "patch", you cut it out and weld it in. A decent torch can be had for less than $200; search Craigslist.

Maybe add some holes in it as it looks like the rusting is due to water sitting in the bucket rather than wearing out.
 
Nissan11 said:
Can I not use mild steel angle iron back to back as the cutting teeth/bucket braces?
Click to expand...



You can use whatever you want, I have been building heavy equipment for 18+ years. I have built & repaired more crap like this than I can remember.

Mild steel is fine for the patches, for scraping, skimming & attempted digging. You need a flat cutting edge.

Like this, cut to fit & weld on. also weld up the sides of the bucket at least 3/4 way.


http://www.colemanequip.com/WeldIn_ReplacementCuttingEdges.asp
 
I know its not 100% what your looking for but when i first started doin grading work for myself i had a 3320 i think ford and the factory bucket wasnt doin good enough so i went to the local family owned tractor dealer/repair place and they had a used bucket for a little bigger tractor i took my smaller bucket and put skid steer teeth on it. Regardless i only paid $200 for a almost new bucket
 
yea, you can bend rather than roll the bucket. Just be aware of the mounting points & cyl. lug geometry when welding that stuff on the new bucket.
 
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