Correct placement for wear plates

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Hey all,Need some expert (maybe expat ) advice on proper location of wear plates. I drew rough sketches of where the customer wants the plates installed. This bucket is going to be used primarily with crushed concrete and asphalt. As a rule of thumb I was always told to keep about an inch away from the actual outside edge of the bucket. Like from the very bottom edge. Customer also wants a strip added to the front wing there. Same rule applies? About an inch from the outside edge?Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Attached Images
Reply:How thick of plate you talking about?  What material?  Just mild steel?  I have rebuilt several buckets in times gone by.  1/2" is about as thin as you would want to go IMO.  If you don't go all the way to the edge the bucket will wear where it is not plated.  I would also plate the bottom unless the wear plates there are in good shape.  Crushed concrete will wear those areas very rapidly and you never want the actual bucket to wear, as I am sure you know.
Reply:Lovetoweld, IMO and I am no expert!! my wife reminds me daily. Anyway I would run your bottom piece up the back of the bucket in a letter C shape and in one piece.Also run your front edge all the way up to the top and put them out to the edge of the bucket as 1shot mentioned do not set them back any. Check the pads on the bottom. Some or MOST operators will test your repair daily Repaired alot of construction equip and I know this is fact!! lol What size of loader are you dealing with? Let us know what you decide. Good luckMiller 250DX HTP 221 DV AC/DCHenrob O-A Miller 180 MigMiller 150 Inverter   Hobart 10,000 Welder-Generator   Have a good day!!!
Reply:Bucket size is a 6 yard bucket. loader size, I don't actually know but Id guess something similar to a 980 cat. material is AR 400 1/2" thick. I am going to be using .045 dual shield by inweld. I will be using c25 for shielding gas. the actual thickness of the bucket is 1/2", I may take a torch to the side to get it hot prior to welding.
Reply:Check out Heavy Equipment Forum under shop talk . Look for a post from Tom V., there are plenty of photos of bucket rebuilding.Good Luck