A worn or damaged bucket leaves every equipment owner with the same question: is it worth fixing, or is it time for a new one? There isn’t one right answer for every bucket, but a few clear signs point the way. Here’s how to think it through before you spend money either direction.
Start with the base metal
The bucket body is what you’re really paying for. Edges, teeth and cutters are designed to be replaced. If the main structure (floor, sidewalls, ribs and mounting points) is still solid, repair is usually on the table. If the structure itself is failing, the equation changes.
Signs a bucket is usually worth repairing
- Worn or rounded cutting edges
- Missing or worn teeth and adapters
- A few cracks in accessible areas
- Worn corners or side cutters
- Wear that hasn’t yet gone through the plate
- Damage caught early
In these cases, repair often restores the bucket at a fraction of the cost of a new one, and protection such as hard facing or waffling can help keep it from wearing out again so quickly.
Signs replacement may be the better call
- The floor or sidewalls are worn thin or through
- The bucket is bent, twisted or warped
- Cracks keep returning after repair
- Mounting points or pin bores are badly damaged
- Repair would cost close to the price of a replacement
Even then, it’s worth having a welder look at it. What looks like a write-off is sometimes repairable, and what looks fixable is sometimes a waste of money.
Questions to ask before you decide
- How much of the original steel is left?
- Is the damage in one area, or all over the bucket?
- How much would downtime cost you while you wait on a new bucket?
- What material are you digging, and will repair and protection hold up to it?
- How many hours of life does the machine itself have left?
Don’t forget downtime
Price isn’t the only cost. If a replacement has to be ordered and shipped, the machine sits idle. A repair on site can get you working sooner. Our mobile welding repair service travels to job sites in and around Calgary, so you may not have to haul the bucket anywhere.
The only reliable way to know
A photo can help, but an in-person inspection is the honest way to decide. We’ll look at the bucket, tell you what we see, and explain your options, whether that’s a repair, added protection or a replacement. Learn more about our heavy equipment welding and repair work, visit the Fabrication Pros homepage, or contact us for a free quote.
Contact us with any questions you may have.
