Method for removal of dovetailed turbine bucket from a turbine wheel

This invention relates to a method for removing turbine buckets from a turbine rotor in a steam turbine. A method has been developed for removing turbine buckets that have become stuck to a turbine rotor wheel. This method includes making two or more first cuts to the base of a female dovetail of the turbine bucket. Two or more second cuts are also made to a lower neck of the female dovetail. The blade of the bucket is broken off at the first cut, which breakage also splits the base of the dovetail into two sections. These sections are pressed down along the second cuts so that they may be removed from the wheel.