Working under the bucket?

banjodunn · May 5, 2016

G'day we have several different lengths of 40x40x4 mm angle iron at work along with some large h/duty washers with a slot cut into them so we can slide them around the rod at the gland end so the angle sits on them and not the seal and then we just hose clamp them to the rod and lower the arms down until the weight is just taken.
Never had a problem even with cyls that creep

Jon

HillStreet · May 5, 2016

Don't work under a raised bucket. Be disciplined about that, people have been killed doing it because it looked safe.

Soundguy · May 5, 2016

HillStreet said:
Don't work under a raised bucket. Be disciplined about that, people have been killed doing it because it looked safe.

sure you can.. just make sure that raised bucket is secured and can't move.

Nothing says you have to work with the bucket on the ground 100% of the time. Just be smart about it. Shore and crib it up. Set it on something unmoveable.. a deck, a tall stump, the tailgate of your truck, etc. Lotsa options.

Never work under anything SOLELY supported by hyds...

Gary Fowler · May 5, 2016

I see it as being easier to put a 4x4 (or 2) under the bucket and let it set on them, but I think it more secure to block the cylinders with angle, wood etc that is securely attached to the cylinder and that is sufficient to hold up the weight. That would be less likely to be knocked out of place when working.
Everything is just a backup for the 1 in a million chance that a hydraulic hose would blow while underneath. Don't forget to lock out the control lever also so it isn't accidently bumped. The only tractor I ever had with FEL that didn't have a lockout was my gray market Yanmar.

Soundguy · May 5, 2016

none of mine have lockouts.

.. and my main used tractor will leak down in a few hours.. so blocking is mandatory.

Deere Dude · May 5, 2016

After reading these posts I went out and needed to get under the hood with the FEL way up. I was quick and tried to be cautious, somewhat.

As soon as I got done I went to the steel pile and got a couple 1-1/2 angle irons for the cylinder shafts. I welded a flat bar on the edge to make a 3 sided fixture. I then cut some sump pump hose and put a slit in it for directly over the shaft. Then the jiog goes over that. I welded a couple tabs on the top end to put a pin through so it won't pop off the tractor.

I tried them with down pressure applied and works like a champ.

Soundguy · May 5, 2016

Nice fab.

HillStreet · May 5, 2016

Soundguy said:
sure you can.. just make sure that raised bucket is secured and can't move. Nothing says you have to work with the bucket on the ground 100% of the time. Just be smart about it. Shore and crib it up. Set it on something unmoveable.. a deck, a tall stump, the tailgate of your truck, etc. Lotsa options.

Never work under anything SOLELY supported by hyds...

Sound guy,

Right you are........I did mean to say unsecured raised bucket. I worked in mining, no question the importance of cribbing, hoisting, securing, and lowering any load.