Track Hoe Failure

A metallurgical failure analysis was requested on a track hoe used to offload debris from barges. Reportedly, the track hoe bucket had several reinforcements added at the behest of the manufacturer, and subsequently the track hoe boom had failed. The boom failure occurred in a fillet weld where the bucket hydraulic cylinder support plate attached to the track hoe boom.

Based on visual examination and photographic documentation, failure of both the bucket and boom were the result of operational stresses attributable to the equipment usage. The subject "braced" track hoe bucket is shown in Photograph A.

Photograph A  Overall view of "dog bone" brace (marked #3), which reportedly had cracked and had been replaced. The dog bone swivel arm connects the lower hydraulic ram pin to the track hoe lower boom section.

Photograph B  Overall view of bucket of track hoe.

Photograph C  Overall view of track hoe boom failure. Topography, texture and color gradation of the fracture surface indicate that the failure was progressive and probably the result of metal fatigue.

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