Bent Loader Bucket

[gilbertmsg]

I added a thumb to my bucket. Went for a test and bent the top of my bucket about 2-3 inches up. Tried attaching a chain and using bucket to pull back down with no luck. Just looking for some ideas before taking to welding shop and having entire top cut and replaced.

Eddie

 

[AndyMA]

May need heat and a hydraulic press to put back in place. The upper edge of a bucket is not very strong as you discovered. It will need to be reinforces quite a bit to support a thumb. I reinforce all my buckets and I don't use a thumb. Eventually they all bend anyways.

andy

 

[PILOON]

Heavy duty "C" clamps and sturdy angle should straighten that out.
Tighten the clamps to pull the bend inwards with an occasional wack with a sledge hammer to coax the bend back.
You could also cut the flange before bending back and once straight re-enforce with a welded in place angle/doubler.