Bucket Hooks Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks???

   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #1  

thecnwcaboose

New member
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Messages
20
Location
Sheboygan, WI USA
Tractor
2012 MF GC 2410 TLB, 1951 Ford 8N, 1958 Ford 861
Hello everyone,

It is my intention to weld some additional metal (as a reinforcement plate or big washer) to my loader bucket for the mounting of bolt on hooks.

I have a Massey DL 100 loader with 48" bucket. the metal is 3/16" thick (approximately, according to my caliper).

It is my plan to weld a piece if 1/4" thick plate sized 4" by 3" to the outside near where the bucket mounts (attachment pins onto the ram and arm) to the loader and then inside the bucket (after un-mounting the bucket and turning it upside down on the loader to weld easier) weld a piece of similar 1/4" plate sized 4" by 4" in the same area to make a 1/4", 3/16", 1/4" sandwich of metal in which I will drill two (2) one half inch holes (1/2") spaced one and three eights inch apart (1 3/8") to mount the 10,000 pound rated tow hooks, mounted using 2 grade 8 bolts 2 1/2" long with corresponding nuts and washers, etc.

wow that was one **** of a run on sentence, my grade school teachers would be un-pleased.

welding to be done by me using a Lincoln MIG 180, with .035 flux core wire. (very pleased with that unit)

Thank you for your advice as always. :thumbsup:
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks???
  • Thread Starter
#2  
oh and I forgot: if I posted this in the wrong area I am sorry.
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #3  
There are LOTS of threads on bucket hooks (grab hooks) here on TBN in various forums. Try a search with those terms.

Also, a photo of where you want to put the hooks would help on analyzing what is need. IE...for a medium duty Kubota bucket a pipe welded under the lip is necessary to keep from bending/collapsing the top edge. Another option is to weld an angle iron across the top and weld the grab hooks to the angle iron.

You'll find lots of information in the suggested search.
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #4  
What you are proposing is way overkill for what your machine can lift, but it should work just fine. Lots of guys have bolt on grab hooks and no reinforcement plates whatsoever and have no issues.
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #5  
Get the weld on grab hooks . Easy , clean and no rust under a plate .
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #6  
What you are proposing is way overkill for what your machine can lift, but it should work just fine. Lots of guys have bolt on grab hooks and no reinforcement plates whatsoever and have no issues.
Good points. When I bolted on my 3 Hooks, I reinforced the top of the bucket with a piece of 1/4 inch angle iron. I cut the angle iron at 70 inches because my bucket is 6 foot. I used a can of Kubota spray paint, and it looked great and works for me.
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #7  
A little overkill goes a long way. Just one of those 1/4" plates welded to either side (in or out) should be plenty. I doubt that your tractor or mine will ever put 10,000 lbs of steady load on a bucket hook, and before it did something else would let go. Welded-on hooks work at least as well and install easier, but you're committed once done welding.

Another bolt-on option is the HD lifting rings we use when setting shop machinery. Find 'em at Grainger or McMaster-Carrr with load ratings specified. Swap out or shackle just about anything to them in mere seconds (hooks, accessories, etc), just don't use wimpy galvanized anchor shackles. Your dealer will have the right ones. ;)
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks??? #8  
The bolt on hooks kinda provide their own reinforcements with the plate the hook is welded to.

If you opt for a weld on hook, then I would use a piece if 1/4 and weld the hook to thay
 
   / Enought reinforcement for bucket hooks???
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Thank you all kindly. welded on plates in and out will do the drilling tomorrow to bolt em on.
 
 
 
Top