I recently purchased a 655d loader/backhoe. The leading edge of the front loader did not have a cutting edge and it had a slight bow with the center being lower and higher towards the opposing ends. Is there a way to straighten the lower out so my new cutting edge sits flat across the hole width of the bucket? Any suggestions aside from a sledge hammer? Thanks in advance for any help!
Heat the outside of the bow with a rosebud until a wide area is red, cool with water mist, or just allow to cool naturally. Should shrink most of it out. May require several cycles, or heating in several places, depending on the thickness and severity of the bows. May help to rest the bottom of the bow on piece of steel and add a bit of weight to help while it's cooling. There may be a better way, but that's how I would approach it.
If your bucket has the two reinforced bottom areas straight forward of the loader arms they get tough to straighten. The double layers of steel don't heat and pull well. If you got a good slab you might anchor down the ends and jack the middle up. It may take a few gradual tries until you get enough without going to far. Worst one I have helped on was a 644 wheel loader. On that one we ended up cutting the bottom free from the sides on each side and pulled the bottom edges down welding a pie shaped piece in to fill the side gap. The center was two stiff to bend on the 644.