When to Call a Welder vs. When to Replace Your Excavator Bucket – Practical Czech Guide
Bucket repair - Excavator Bucket welding repair specialist - Opravy lžíce bagru svářeč - Svářeč Třebíč - Welding Czech Republic
Excavator buckets (especially on 1.5–30 t machines) are expensive (80 000 – 450 000 Kč new), so Czech operators and companies always try to repair first. Here is the exact decision matrix most mechanics and welding shops in Czech Republic use in 2025.
Call a welder and repair the bucket in these situations:
Excavator Bucket welding repair specialist - Opravy lžíce bagru svářeč - Svářeč Třebíč - Welding Czech Republic
- Cracks in the side walls or bottom that are shorter than 200–300 mm – these are normal wear and can be perfectly fixed with Hardox 450 or 500 plates. Cost is usually 8,000–25,000 Kč and the job is done in 1–3 days.
- The cutting edge and teeth adapters are 50–70 % worn – just cut off the old edge and weld on a new one with side shrouds. Very common repair, costs 15,000–35,000 Kč.
- Small localized holes in the bottom plate – a good welder patches them with Hardox and adds reinforcement.
- The heel or one corner is torn off – mobile welders rebuild it with new Hardox pieces for 30,000–60,000 Kč.
- The bucket is slightly twisted (less than 5–8 cm deformation) – it can still be straightened and reinforced.
- You have already repaired it a few times but the total repair cost is still under 40–50 % of a new bucket price – always worth it.
Replace the bucket completely (buy new or good used one) in these cases:
- Cracks in the side walls or bottom that are shorter than 200–300 mm – these are normal wear and can be perfectly fixed with Hardox 450 or 500 plates. Cost is usually 8,000–25,000 Kč and the job is done in 1–3 days.
- The cutting edge and teeth adapters are 50–70 % worn – just cut off the old edge and weld on a new one with side shrouds. Very common repair, costs 15,000–35,000 Kč.
- Small localized holes in the bottom plate – a good welder patches them with Hardox and adds reinforcement.
- The heel or one corner is torn off – mobile welders rebuild it with new Hardox pieces for 30,000–60,000 Kč.
- The bucket is slightly twisted (less than 5–8 cm deformation) – it can still be straightened and reinforced.
- You have already repaired it a few times but the total repair cost is still under 40–50 % of a new bucket price – always worth it.
- Cracks run through the main beam or hinge ears – most welders will only give a temporary fix or refuse the job because it's a serious safety risk. New hinge ears cost more to weld than a used bucket.
- The cutting edge is completely gone and the side walls are paper-thin (less than 4–5 mm left) – too much material missing, welding new plates becomes more expensive than replacement.
- More than 30 % of the bottom plate is worn through with big holes – patching no longer makes sense.
- The bucket is heavily twisted or deformed (more than 8 cm) – correct geometry is critical for digging power.
- You keep getting new stress cracks around welds every few months – the metal is fatigued and repairs stop being economical.
- The bucket is 12+ years old and has already been repaired 3–4 times – one more repair might be possible, but start planning replacement.
- The welding quote is higher than 60 % of the price of a new or good used bucket – at that point you're throwing money away.
Quick Rule of Thumb Used by Czech Mechanics
Excavator Bucket welding repair specialist - Opravy lžíce bagru svářeč - Svářeč Třebíč - Welding Czech Republic
- Repair if total welding cost < 40–50 % of a new/used bucket price → always worth it. Example: 20 t bucket new ≈ 280 000 Kč → repair up to 120–140 000 Kč still makes sense.
- Replace when repair quote > 60 % of new price or safety is compromised (hinge area, main beam).
Typical Repair Prices in Czech Republic (2025)
- New cutting edge + side cutters → 18 000 – 38 000 Kč
- Bottom + side reinforcement (Hardox plates) → 45 000 – 90 000 Kč
- Full rebuild (new bottom, sides, corners) → 120 000 – 180 000 Kč
- Mobile welder call-out (most of CZ) → +5 000 – 12 000 Kč travel fee
Where to Get It Done Fast
- Mobile welders: "Svářečství na telefon" services in every region (Třebíč, Brno, Plzeň, Ostrava) – search "mobilní svářeč bagr lžíce" on Firmy.cz.
- Specialist bucket repair shops: Svářeč Třebíč (Třebíč), SVV Praha, Hardox Wearparts centres (official Hardox welding partners).
Bottom line: If it's just cracks, worn edge, or a few holes → call a welder today (you'll save 100–300 000 Kč). If the bucket looks like Swiss cheese or the hinge area is cracked → start shopping for a new/used one on Bazoš.cz or directly from Hardox dealers.
Need a quote or a reliable mobile welder in your region? Tell me the excavator size and location and I'll point you to the right people if we can't do it ourselves.