2520 Bucket Hooks and Tool Box

[BethesdaEC]

I just finished my mods on the bucket. I was a little concerned about the thickness of the top plate of the bucket so I made a plate steel sandwich. I used two 3" by 1/4" thick plates, one on the top and one on the bottom. bolted it all together with grade 8 bolts and then attached the bolt on hooks.

I also tackled the problem of a lack of tool storage space. One .50 cal ammo box, a little maple stock for the bracket assemble and some paint. I have a ball peen hammer (I shortened it by an inch to fit), small plastic/rubber mallet, wrenches, pliers, a folding saw, etc.

 

[hizoot]

Great job...I just finished doing my 2520 bucket hooks too. I did it a little different in that I welded a 1/4" plate on top and added a 1.375" schedule40 pipe along the front edge. I've seen too many edges bent so I wanted to reinforce it. I'm gonna try and upload pics....wish me luck
I cut a slot down the length of the tubing with a cutting wheel mounted to my Dewalt grinder,then slipped it over the edge,welded it along both top and bottom edges-stitching it to keep warp at bay,then welded the plate the same way.

 

[hizoot]

oops...sorry about the pic size. I grabbed the originals,not the resized.

But hey...at least I got'em on here!

 

[kennyd]

Looks Good!

FYI:
There is a guy who will have real bolt-on grab/chain hooks for sale soon-he is finishing his website now.

Here is a sneak peak:

 

[BethesdaEC]

Great job...I just finished doing my 2520 bucket hooks too. I did it a little different in that I welded a 1/4" plate on top and added a 1.375" schedule40 pipe along the front edge. I've seen too many edges bent so I wanted to reinforce it. I'm gonna try and upload pics....wish me luck
I cut a slot down the length of the tubing with a cutting wheel mounted to my Dewalt grinder,then slipped it over the edge,welded it along both top and bottom edges-stitching it to keep warp at bay,then welded the plate the same way.

I didn't have access to a welder, but with the two plates I have about 3/4" of steel along the top.

 

[kennyd]

I didn't have access to a welder,

Sure you do...he is about 45 minutes NW of you:laughing:

 

[BethesdaEC]

Sure you do...he is about 45 minutes NW of you:laughing:

Good to see fellow Marylander here.

 

[OneMarineE5]

And about 45 minutes SW of me.

I bought his bolt hooks and absolutely love 'em. Sold my welder back in the Fall, so thiis was a no brainer for me. :thumbsup:

The quality is excellent!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[JB4310]

Looks Good!

FYI:
There is a guy who will have real bolt-on grab/chain hooks for sale soon-he is finishing his website now.

Here is a sneak peak:

Is that guy you? if so good luck, I think it's a good idea.

I would just say for those double wall bucket tops I would provide a drop in sleeve to prevent the fastener from crushing the two walls together. That's how I bolted my reciever hitch on. Drilled the top hole large enough to drop a piece of pipe in, so you can really crank the bolt tight, probably strengthens the whole set up a little too.

A bolt on reciever hitch would also be a great idea for someone to market. It would be just as easy to build and be way more versatile, sell better IMO. Could make the hooks obsolete or be a compliment to the hooks.

JB.

 

[kennyd]

Is that guy you? if so good luck, I think it's a good idea.

Yes, thank you