B2910 loader bucket repair or replace?

[dlabrie]

I have a Kubota b2910 and the bucket on the LA402 loader is rusted along the bottom. The stock # on the bucket is B1617. Is it worth having metal welded to repair it? Is it even possible? Or should I be looking for a replacement?

 

[ptsg]

Surely it's repairable. Cut a strip the entire width of the bucket and wide enough to go past the bad spots and then some, then weld a new piece of flat bar in place. Good as new, possibly better.

 

[CalG]

The Only downside to a welded bucket repair is that the results are usually heavier than the pre repair original.

With that, a bucket can cost $4K...
It would be a stretch to get that much into a repair. (unless you needed an excuse to buy a new welder ;-)

 

[garry1p]

I had one repaired years ago with a similar problem but not quite as bad.

They welded flat stock I guess to be 3/8 X 16" X the width of the bucket.
They started on the bottom of the bucket and towards the front using a sledge hammer to form it over the rusted area as they tack welded it on the sides and formed it to mate with the bucket. Once in place they welded it all around.
It was fine when I sold the tractor 8 or 9 years later. It was not a very expensive fix compared to a new bucket.
I can't remember the exact cost but believe it was less than $500.

 

[dlabrie]

The Only downside to a welded bucket repair is that the results are usually heavier than the pre repair original.

With that, a bucket can cost $4K...
It would be a stretch to get that much into a repair. (unless you needed an excuse to buy a new welder ;-)

Always need an excuse to buy a new tool

 

[dlabrie]

I bought this small welder 20 years ago and really never learned how to use it very well. Would it (and I) be up to the task of welding a metal 1/8" flat bar across across the bottom of the bucket or should I get a professional out here to do it?

 

[nyone]

That welder will work just fine. I would use a flux core wire with it since your useage will be prety low. No gas bottle needed so no cost there.

When I bought my tc40 the bucket was really shot. Way worse than that. I sourced a piece of 3/16 steel from facebook and went to work. I cut out and replaced the whole bottom of the bucket along with the back outer edges. Took about a day and I have about $200 into it.


I highly recommend you cut out the bad spots and weld in new. Not just patch over holes. Doing this allows for dirt to get trapped causing more rust. This is how my bucket got so bad.

 

[dlabrie]

That welder will work just fine. I would use a flux core wire with it since your useage will be prety low. No gas bottle needed so no cost there.

When I bought my tc40 the bucket was really shot. Way worse than that. I sourced a piece of 3/16 steel from facebook and went to work. I cut out and replaced the whole bottom of the bucket along with the back outer edges. Took about a day and I have about $200 into it.


I highly recommend you cut out the bad spots and weld in new. Not just patch over holes. Doing this allows for dirt to get trapped causing more rust. This is how my bucket got so bad.

I think I might give it a try. I will have to start looking at welding videos and do some practicing. When it first started to rust a couple of years ago, I thought I could just try to weld a bead across the crack, but I just ended up burning through the metal, so I left it as is.

 

[CH4Ohio]

I have a Kubota b2910 and the bucket on the LA402 loader is rusted along the bottom. The stock # on the bucket is B1617. Is it worth having metal welded to repair it? Is it even possible? Or should I be looking for a replacement?View attachment 4786593

If I needed a new bucket on the B2910, I think I'd try to find a pin-on SSQA adapter and use the opportunity to upgrade to a Quick-attach bucket. Would be handy to be able to use forks, etc. on that tractor. Also think a new SSQA bucket would be cheaper so that would offset the total cost some.

 

[Thomas]

I would try repair but if you are uncertain of task good shop shouldn't have issues repairing.