Buckets

5. Check the thickness (J) of the blade and the thickness (H) of the shank for wear. Pay special attention to heel (A). Remove the fork from service if the thickness is reduced to 90 percent or less of the original thickness.

The length of the fork may also be reduced by wear, especially on tapered forks. Remove the forks from service when the length of the blade is no longer adequate for the intended loads.

Illustration 296 g01001990

6. Check markings (K) for readability. Renew the markings if the markings are not legible.

Mounting Bracket

Inspect the mounting brackets on the bucket and ensure that the mounting plates are not bent or otherwise damaged. Inspect the angled plate and ensure that the plate is not bent or otherwise damaged. If any wear or damage is suspected, consult your Caterpillar dealer before you use the bucket.

Bucket Cutting Edges Bucket Wear Plates

Personal injury or death could result from falling bucket. When working under or around the bucket or linkage, with the bucket raised, proper support must be provided for the bucket and/or the linkage.

Replace the wear plates before damage to the bottom of the bucket occurs. 1. Raise the bucket and block up the bucket. 2. Loosen bolts and remove wear plates. 3. Install new wear plates. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque. Refer to the appropriate Service

Manual for more information.

Personal injury or death could result from bucket falling. Block the bucket before changing bucket cutting edges.

1. Raise the bucket. Place a block under the bucket. 2. Lower the bucket to the block.

Do not block up the bucket too high. Block up the bucket so that the bucket is high enough to remove the cutting edges and the end bits. 3. Remove the bolts. Remove the cutting edge and the end bits. 4. Clean the contact surfaces. 5. Use the opposite side of the cutting edge, if this side is not worn. 6. Install a new cutting edge, if both edges are worn. 7. Install the bolts. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque. Refer to the appropriate Service Manual for more information. 8. Raise the bucket. Remove the block. 9. Lower the bucket to the ground. 10. After a few hours of operation, check the bolts for proper torque.