Broken Tooth on 447 BH

DreaminGreen · Jul 3, 2008

I have heard about the teeth breaking on 448's, but I am a little surprised it broke on a 447. I was trying not to abuse it, use it yes abuse it no. The dealership is coming to get it and do the dentistry on 7/8/08, time to use the MPP I paid for. I asked about a HD backhoe bucket for the 447. I was told Deere does not make one, does any one here know if one does exist? Or am I going to have to strengthen this bucket so it can withstand real world use in New England stone infested soil. FWIW I was only taking out a 5" white birch stump at the time but in the buckets defense I have moved a lot of rocks with it , why did it have to break just before the 4th of July holiday, dang it.

denmansoft · Jul 3, 2008

It looks like JD does the same as Kubota. Line up the weakest point of the tooth/shank with the edge of the bucket blade. Digging stumps will do this.
Now that I have fixed mine I have been digging out stumps as big as the tractor with no dental work required.

GreatWhitehunter · Jul 3, 2008

Ok from the pics you didn't break the tooth you broke the shank. The shanks are similar on both the 447 an 448. They are cold forged and will break if you use improper techinque. I broke a few before I got the hang of it. One thing to make the dealer do is to pre heat the shank before welding it. It needs to be arc welded not mig. My dealer miged it and the weld looks great till you need the strentgh. I ended up getting one of the welders at work to attach it and it hasn't been an issue. I'd also keep a few extra shanks and teeth on hand. Even if the dealer does the repairs. It's good to have when the dealer stock runs out. Absoulutly don't scrape with the teeth that's the sure fire way to snap them. I just scratch the surface with them and then keep them pointed towards the tractor. I broke a few on stumps also and I'm in CT so of course I too own a rock farm.

Matt T.

CrashedCT · Jul 3, 2008

I know how it feels.. NE digging is challenging. I have broken all but 1 tooth on my 448 bucket. Dealer ground off and replaced all 3 under warranty. Only 1 original tooth left to go. There is a HD bucket available I can send you a pic if you want... I also noticed after a lot of time spent getting teeth fixed that they are no longer using the flat face teeth that I had originally. All but the one have been replaced with a Pengo tooth and shank.. Have had no problems since. I can look when I get home and provide you with a P/N if you want. just let me know.

DreaminGreen · Jul 4, 2008

Thank's for the responses guy's. I think I will put on heavier shanks and teeth, maybe(with luck) I can get the dealer to do it under warranty??!!!

rtm038 · Aug 25, 2008

I did the exact same thing with my 46BH the other day digging out an old stump. Our soil is real rocky too. I'm gonna call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say about fixing it.

Ryan

dfkrug · Aug 26, 2008

Interesting pix, DREAMIN! I just saw this thread. Those shanks look
cast, not forged.....the break looks crystalline. I agree with DENMAN the
shanks are of poor design. Other shanks out there (and the ones I made)
wrap around both sides of the bucket lip. When I welded mine on, I did
multi-pass high-amperage stick welding to get enough heat into these
thick chunks of steel.

You should not have to baby your teeth!