We have a 299D that this is the second bucket that has only lasted 1 year and then this happens are we the only ones that this has happened to? I saw in CM1995's thread about how he did the teeth and that looks good to me and I had thought of rebuilding this bucket and doing that on it. My boss is worried that it will take to much power with that style of teeth rather then the ones that come from factory in my mind it wont make that much difference. Any ideas suggestions? TIA
It looks like you're wearing the weld right outta the corner and that in turn is making the corner weak and then someone wedges that corner tooth under something and starts to pry, it doesn't take to long to tear the corner out of it like that one the weld is worn away. Straighten it out, pour some weld in there, plate it, and add a bolt on edge to the bottom and bolt the teeth on the top...you just need some longer bolts where the teeth will go through the bucket and the bolt on edge. I had a Cat 4N1 set up like that and put 2000 hours on it without a problem.
I've been very happy with the results of the first bucket we built, it's still going strong with some wear. It's now in semiretirement attached to the T250, who is also in semiretirement. The reason we built the first bucket is for the same reasons and failures you posted. Back when we built the first bucket we were also going through tooth buckets at a rate of 1 per year at $850 -$1K a piece. We patched those buckets up but the same working conditions that wore the new buckets and the design of the bucket in the first place, still took it's toll. The problem is the tooth placement on the bucket you posted a pic of. Moving the shank out to the edge takes the wear away from the bucket and to the tooth where you want it. The first bucket we built cost around $2300 including new base bucket, shanks, teeth and labor. I would estimate that bucket has 5K plus hours on 3 different CTL's, it's been in service for over 8 years. We have around $2800 in the new bucket for the 279 and expect the same production. The bucket doesn't rob any power from the machine. Now it does take a minute to learn how to cut with it if one is used to using a bucket in your pic. The design is more aggressive in cutting but it's like sharpening your knife, it takes less effort to cut the same amount of material. It will not reduce the power required to make a cut due to the geometry. The learning curve, although slight, is learning to not cut too much in fine grading.
I agree with you are we the only ones with this problem? When the bucket runs up against the curb cutting rock in a street or backfilling dirt behind curb I think is when it happens. Hadn't thought bout bolting a cutting edge on bottom but would that make the teeth that far off the dirt when planing something off?
Thanks CM that's what I was thinking but needed some confirmation
Needs some hardfacing rod on the sides, and a gusset brace, on the inner corner. A good welder could fix and build up for less than the cost of a new bucket, surely...
Sure that would patch it up but it would be money wasted IMO. This bucket lasted a year in the OP's operating conditions, patching it up won't fix the design flaw that's causing this failure. The outer tooth needs to be moved to the edge of the bucket. That will put the wear on the tooth, not the bucket edge, which is where you want it. Different dynamics and economies come into play with a machine that is used daily compared to one that is used occasionally.
Well, there's repairs, then there's re-designs. He could repair, and re-design, with the bucket, on hand, or buy a new bucket, and re-design, to move the teeth, on the corners...
CM couple more questions on the replaceable pieces in between the teeth are those the ones you used from the 953 or did you cut down the cutting edge that would normally bolt there in to pieces that fit in between? Could you post some pics of the bottom of the bucket? Sorry for all the questions my boss is can be hesitant to make thicker edges on the front because he don't want it to load any harder. I was originally thinking about redoing the bucket we got but thinking more like what you said would be ahead to start out with a new bucket.
It's a one piece cutting bolt on cutting edge that comes with a Cat smooth lipped bucket. The 953 bucket segments are the two pieces welded on either end of the bucket. The other metal is D5G cutting edges and end bits. Nothing goes to waste. That's the factory bolt on cutting edge in the pic below. D5 end bit going down the right side of the bucket, D5 cutting edge at the rear. 953 bucket segment trimmed and ready to weld underneath the pecking hammer. Corner of bucket showing shank and factory BOCE underneath. There is a lot of meat at the corner.
Thank you for the pics and explanation. Got the go ahead to purchase a new bucket and rebuild it right away so looks like I got another thing to do
Good deal, glad to be of help. I don't know much but I like to share what I've learned.