Got new Marham tooth bar, side tab bent! Help!

[fatcat]

Just had my new tooth bar delivered for my BX23 from Marham today and one of the side tabs is bent about 30 degrees! Darn gorillas loading stuff onto trucks!

Can I just try to hammer it back into shape, or should I try heating it first ... all I have for a torch is just a plan MAP gas for copper pipes. I really don't want to have to send it back and order a new one.

What can I do!!

 

[Bowhunter]

I'd think it would be alright to just bend in back into position. Hammer, big pliers, or a pipe slipped over the tab.

 

[fatcat]

That would have to be one heck of a pair of pliers or pipe ... this stuff is 1/2" steel!
I'll try banging it out with a 5 lb. sledge tomorrow.
I just don't want to weaken its strength by bending it back.

 

[beenthere]

Best contact the shipping company, and/or Marham. Damaged goods.

A big sledge might move it, or take it to a welder and have it heated and bent back, or have it cut off and re-welded.

 

[Freds]

Technically speaking... it's already been weakened.
I don't know how Markham's (sp?) are designed, but on an ATI, the load isn't really on the tabs, so I wouldn't worry about its strength if there is a lip of sorts that hooks to the front edge of the bucket. I would try to bend it back without heating it first. Set it on a cement block and whack it with a sledge.

...or ask the same trucking outfit if they will toss it back in one of their trucks for a day.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[SeymourBota]

Really, the purpose of the tab is to hold the toothbar in place as the bucket backs out or backdrags- very little stress.
I would pound it back within reason with a small sledge and then use the bolt/nut and washers to finish the job.
Mine had also bent slightly in when shipped- no permanent damage done.

 

[fatcat]

Ok fellas, I'll beat the heck out of it tomorrow.

I can't wait to install it and start busting up some of the ground around here ... I still have soil that is frozen so this will help.

 

[Bowhunter]

I didn't know how think it was so pliers are out. If the pipe is long enough, bending would be a piece of cake. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DJLX]

If you got one of those huge adjustable wrenches (18") they work good at bending things. Depending on the gap at the bucket you might bend it a little anyway when tightening the bolts. The toothbar I got from Markham was to fit my X585 which it did. Then I upgraded to a2210 and the bucket was about a 1 1/2" wider so had to make spacers for it to bolt up.

 

[rswyan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That would have to be one heck of a pair of pliers or pipe ... this stuff is 1/2" steel! )</font>

Take it to somebody that has a hydraulic press - like your local auto repair place or parts store with a machine shop - it will save you from having to beat the snot out of it.

As far as bending with a large lever, I'd be leery of doing that without seeing the attaching welds to the rest of the toothbar - it's possible that the welds might break before the piece you are bending actually bends - 1/2" steel is pretty tough.

 

[fatcat]

Well, last night I pounded on the tab about 10 or 12 times and got the bend out! I was supprised. The owner at Markham just said to pound it out with a hand sledge and not to worry ... so I did and it worked just fine.

All installed and a new member to the "Bucket Tooth" club.

 

[rosey]

Mine arrived with a bent "Tab" last week too....thought that it was an isolated incident but after reading this post something is not Kosher here.....I think that the Toothbar is great but maybe they need to ship it in some kind of a crate to protect it???? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BRIGUY]

DJLX,

Wow there is someone else like me out there. I have a drawer full of adjustable wrenches. I can't remember ever using one on a nut or bolt, but they are very handy for reaching down inside tight places and straightening things out by either putting an extension through the hole or using another wrench on the handle for leverage.