World Fence News

40 • JULY 2018 • WORLD FENCE NEWS A guide to replacing skid steer buckets COURTESY BUDGET ATTACHMENTS & PARTS One foot on the top of the bucket, the other in the cab, turn around, roll cage down, take a seat, parking break off, ignition engaged, you peer out over the edge of the bucket… dang! There it is. The cutting edge of the bucket is curled back, worn out, and ready to be replaced. Sudden expenses are always frus- trating, and this is no different. However, with better technique, a few industry tips, and some preven- tative steps, forecasting future bucket issues will become easier and you can substantially increase the lifespan of your bucket. Proactive purchasing The very best way to avoid unex- pected bucket issues starts with the purchase process. Matching bucket ca- pacity and size to the machine is criti- cal to optimal bucket performance, as is quality materials and construction. Choosing the right bucket Bucket capacity Bucket width should be at least as wide as the outside width of the tires or tracks of the loader. If not, you will not be able to dig or scoop in one pass. The tires or tracks will ride up on the material and the bucket will not remove that mate- rial. In contrast, buckets that exceed the capacity rating of the machine risk imbalance and tipping due to load size. In addition, larger buckets can handicap the operator's vision if in- stalled on a smaller machine. Bucket construction Steel is important. The quality of the steel, the thickness of the steel, and the process the steel goes through when being made are at the founda- tion of a good quality bucket. High-quality steel resists wear and lasts longer increasing the lifes- pan and productivity of a bucket. Be- yond the steel, there are both some design and reinforcement elements to look out for. Bucket design Certain telltale design elements can be found on high-quality buckets that will indicate the longevity of the bucket design. Tubular construction of the upper lift and hardened edges are clear indi- cators the bucket in question was built to last. Also, look for a radius bottom. This allows for material to curl at the back of the bucket providing a more even load and increasing lifespan. Bucket reinforcement In addition to the construction and design of the bucket, a variety of rein- forcement plates are sometimes add- ed to high-quality buckets to enhance durability. Look for reinforcement plates on the heel, sides, and radius of the buck- et. Skid plates are also sometimes added to the bottom of a bucket to re- duce wear. Choosing the right accessories The cutting edge The most common location of ex- cessive wear on a skid steer bucket is at the cutting edge. When the cutting edge grinds against hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete, the center wears unevenly, resulting in a scallop shape. – Option #1: Weld-on cutting edge – Technically, every bucket comes with a weld-on cutting edge. However, when excessive wear causes the cut- ting edge to recede into the bucket, replacement can exceed the total cost of the bucket. – Option #2: Bolt-on reversible cutting edge – These re- p l a c e a b l e cutting edg- es can be reversed be- fore the edge s c a l l o p s back into the bucket. Once both sides wear completely, the edge can be replaced. Quick tip – Don't try to reuse the bolts when reversing the bolt-on edge, as the threads get damaged in use and the bolts won't be reusable. Instead, just cut them off with a torch and re- place. Bucket teeth On tooth buckets, the tooth shank is welded to the weld-on cutting edge. Here, the use of a weld-on cutting edge is common because bucket teeth receive all the wear, therefore protect- ing the cutting edge. Bucket teeth attach by pin or crimp onto a shank. Pin on style teeth are typically recommended, are easy to change, and are less likely to dis- lodge while in use. Regular inspection of these teeth is recommended. On a general pur- pose tooth, if the flat is missing or worn back to the shank, it needs to be replaced. Quick tip – Don't use a tooth bucket with missing teeth. This will wear out the shank and the tooth will not fit properly when replaced. It's best to keep extra teeth on hand and replace them as needed. Maintenance and technique Bucket inspections Inspections are critical to the ongoing upkeep and maintenance of both your machine and attachments. Being aware of cracks, stress fractures, excessive wear, loose hoses, dirt buildup in or around hydraulic fit- tings, and damage to hydraulic hoses makes identifying and fixing future problems easier. The bucket coupler is the most commonly damaged part of the skid steer bucket. Scott Clevenger, vice-president of sales at Arrow Acquisition LLC, stat- ed, "This is where the bucket connects to the skid loader and requires a good solid fit. If cracked or extremely loose, don't use it. Have a welder repair it or maybe it's time for a new bucket. "Don't let mud or other debris build up in this area or in the pin holes at the bottom of the coupler," he said. 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