Stuck Shovel.

[RidgeHiker]

Used my Bucket Solutions clamp on shovel that I have had for a while for the first time yesterday late afternoon.

Good news: Worked great removing an old stump. Very impressed. Used it on my quick attach forks.

Other news: Can't get it off the forks. Jiggled it, pounded it, pried it, etc. My guess is that the forks are jammed into the tapering part of the slots. Spoke to Bucket Solutions this morning. Guy said they have never had that problem before. Could almost hear him scratching his head. Said product manager was out but would talk to him about it. Asked that I send photos as well.

Anyone have any good suggestions? (Explosives are not considered a good suggestion). May try putting a chain on it and attaching to a tree and backing up if desperate enough.

So funny how seemingly simple tasks find unexpected ways to become complicated. I seem to have some special talent for that. :laughing:

Will post photo soon.

 

[Birdhunter1]

You will probably break something else using a chain and pulling before they let go of each other. Beating on it with a sledge hammer will probably be a better idea, maybe put tension on it with a chain and give it a few good whacks.

 

[Roadworthy]

You mentioned quick attach forks. Is it possible to detach one of the forks? If something is binding that may release enough pressure to allow some movement.

 

[CobyRupert]

Is clamp backed off? That is, is there daylight under threaded clamp screw?

I had a set of clamp on forks that the clamp bolts would get all bent up and make it hard to back off. Would have to get a bigger wrench...and a "wrench extender"...or a grinder...

The other possibility, I'm sad to say, is if the spade's amplified leverage on the bucket gave your bucket a "perma-smile". Is the cutting edge of the bucket now bowed causing the bucket's edge to jam in the spade's slots?
Solutions: Bigger hammer. Chain and tree. If bowed, you could try putting a block of wood under bucket in between spade brackets and lift front end of tractor with bucket using the block as the contact lift point. This may flex bucket to where you can get spade off.

Edit: Just noticed these are stuck on forks and not a bucket. On forks? How? I'd still check to see if you bent something. Those things can do that.

 

[RidgeHiker]

You mentioned quick attach forks. Is it possible to detach one of the forks? If something is binding that may release enough pressure to allow some movement.

Good idea but doubt I can. They are hooked onto the frame they slide on at top and bottom plus bound into shovel.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Photos of shovel on forks.

 

[Jstpssng]

A little lubrication and sledge hammer might work, I doubt that they will need to go far to release. As another poster mentioned perhaps add a little tension with a chain but not enough to send anything flying. If that doesn’t work take them off the tractor and apply a little heat to the shovel mount; it shouldn’t take much, just enough to expand the metal slightly.

Hopefully the manufacturer will get back to you with a better idea.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Thought of lubrication but reluctant to pour oil or something that will sludge it up. Maybe spray a lot of wd40. Also may try to attach some kind of weight to the shovel and let it dangle.

 

[Jstpssng]

Even water would work, it's not like you have moving parts to worry about.

 

[RidgeHiker]

True. Just fussy about stuff.

 

[RidgeHiker]

Received advice from Bucket Solutions:
"Please rotate the forks so they’re facing/pointing down, towards the ground with the spade about 2 inches from the ground. Spray some penetrating oil (WD 40), on either side of the forks and let it work its way into the spade. Then use a sledgehammer hitting on the back rear edge of the spade. You may want to put a 2x4 on the back edge of the spade and hit it."

 

[TimberHole]

I would put a jack between the fork upright and the shovel frame.

 

[MossRoad]

I'd loosen the forks at the sliding rails and knock them together. There's some play in there in the pictures.

 

[joecdeere]

piece of 4x4 and a bottle jack on it's side?

 

[Diggin It]

Received advice from Bucket Solutions:
"Please rotate the forks so they’re facing/pointing down, towards the ground with the spade about 2 inches from the ground. Spray some penetrating oil (WD 40), on either side of the forks and let it work its way into the spade. Then use a sledgehammer hitting on the back rear edge of the spade. You may want to put a 2x4 on the back edge of the spade and hit it."

That would have been my first thought before asking questions. Weight, lube and whack it with a sledge. I'm not particular about dings and sludge on tools and implements since they won't be sitting on my mantle piece during holidays.

.

 

[Henro]

While it is counterintuitive, try striking the spoon as if you were trying to put it on further, then again in the off direction...

 

[RidgeHiker]

I'd loosen the forks at the sliding rails and knock them together. There's some play in there in the pictures.

Played with that already different ways. I think that they the forks are bound on the front & back surfaces against the interior shovel surfaces.

Have not had a chance to try the WD40, etc.

 

[RidgeHiker]

I would put a jack between the fork upright and the shovel frame.

This sounds promising. Have my faithful old Handyman Jack.

 

[RidgeHiker]

While it is counterintuitive, try striking the spoon as if you were trying to put it on further, then again in the off direction...

Who knows, intuitive has not worked so far......

 

[coldsteelva]

I bet it is simply bound up on the powdercoat from being worked. Have you considered simply backing the clamps off, sticking it in the ground and using the hydraulics and tractor weight to crack it loose? Attempting to lift or dig without the clamps might unstick what's stuck.