Yuezhong shares emergency treatment: temporary repair method for bucket teeth falling off during field operations

Ⅱ. 5 temporary repair methods

Method 1: Homemade temporary fixing pin

Applicable scenario: The fixing pin is lost, but the bucket tooth and base are intact.

Steps: Clean the dirt and rust in the bucket tooth installation hole. Find alternative pin shaft materials: high-strength bolts (matching diameter, cut to appropriate length), steel bar segments (diameter 8-12mm, cut with an angle grinder), insert the replacement pin shaft, and tie or weld the two ends with wire (to prevent axial sliding).

Note: If bolts are used, the nuts must be retained and spot welded to prevent loosening.

Method 2: Directly fix the bucket teeth by welding

Applicable scenario: The pin shaft hole is damaged, but the bucket tooth is not completely broken.

Steps: Reset the bucket tooth to the installation position and tap it with a hammer until it fits. Use 506 welding rods or CO2 shielded welding to weld along the joint between the bucket tooth and the base (fix at least 3 points). After welding, tap to check the firmness and avoid full-circle welding (to facilitate subsequent removal).

Note: This method will damage the bucket tooth base and is only for emergency use. Professional repair is required after returning to the factory.

Method 3: Bundling reinforcement method

Applicable scenarios: No welding conditions, and the bucket teeth are loose but not falling off.

Material: Wire rope, chain, high-strength binding belt.

Steps: Wrap the wire rope around the connection between the bucket teeth and the bucket, and tighten it with a tensioner. Or use a crane lifting belt to tie it (tensile strength must be ≥5 tons).

Limitations: Only suitable for light-load operations (such as loose earthwork), and the tightness must be checked every 2 hours.

Method 4: Replace spare bucket teeth

Applicable scenarios: Carry spare bucket teeth and tools.

Operation points: Prepare the original bucket teeth + pin shaft kit in advance (it is recommended to keep 2-3 sets on the field operation vehicle). Use a bucket tooth removal tool or a sledgehammer to knock out the old pin shaft. When installing a new bucket tooth, apply butter to the pin shaft to prevent rust.

Data support: According to Caterpillar statistics, equipping spare bucket teeth can reduce downtime by 80%.

Method 5: Bucket transformation temporary working surface

Applicable scenarios: When multiple teeth fall off or there is no repair material.

Steps: Rotate the bucket 180° and use the unworn rear edge tooth plate. Adjust the operation mode to avoid vertical impact (use "scraping" excavation instead).

Risk warning: This method accelerates the wear of the bucket body and is only used in extreme cases.

III. Safety precautions

Overload operation is prohibited: After temporary repair, avoid excavating hard rock or frozen soil.

Daily inspection: Fatigue cracks may occur at welding and binding points.

Personnel protection: Wear a mask when welding and wear anti-vibration gloves when knocking.

Timely replacement: The emergency plan is used for no more than 72 hours.

IV. How to prevent bucket teeth from falling off?

Check the pin shaft regularly: Check the pin shaft wear every 50 working hours (normal clearance <1mm).

Use anti-drop pins: Choose R-type pins or spring pins instead of ordinary cylindrical pins.

Match the hardness of bucket teeth: Use high chromium alloy bucket teeth (such as HB450 grade) for rock conditions.

Standard installation: The pin shaft must be knocked into place with a copper hammer.

V. Real case reference

Emergency treatment in Qinghai mining area: In 2023, the bucket tooth pin of an iron ore excavator broke. The operator temporarily fixed it with an M12 bolt and completed the emergency repair task of the day.

Construction in Southeast Asian rainforest: Due to humidity, the pin shaft rusted. The team welded the bucket teeth and maintained the operation for 3 days until the new parts were airlifted in.

Conclusión

Although the bucket tooth falling off is a minor fault, it directly affects the progress of the project. Mastering the 5 emergency methods in this article and combining them with preventive measures can minimize the loss of field downtime. It is recommended that the fleet always have spare bucket teeth, pin shafts, welding tools, and train operators to master basic maintenance skills.