Bucket hooks and reciever

[timster2]

Finally got a chance to weld on my bucket hooks, shackle mounts and add a receiver. Been a long time since I did some real fabrication and welding. Didn't realize how much I miss it until I started this project. Welded the receiver tube directly to the bucket supports/cylinder mount seemed like a good solid mount. Welding it at this angle provides clearance from the bucket edge when using the ball mount. Don't know if it is good or bad but it did make for an easy strong mount. Now I have to dig out my spray guns and give it a good coat of paint. Here are some pictures.

 

[bluewater 23]

Nice lookings welds timster!

 

[creekbend]

Looks good. Thanks for posting.

 

[Scooby074]

Looks well done!

 

[xzcVAbc5]

All buckets should have chain hooks (IMHO). I want to get some chain hooks and shackle mounts put on my Dad's tractor as well.

 

[timster2]

Gave it a quick coat of paint before heading out to a BBQ. Going to let it dry overnight then put it to work tomorrow.

 

[brown1]

well done looks ready for some work!

 

[bandaidmd]

Nice job, you shouldn't have covered those welds with paint, you shouldn't hide that quality of work.
You may find that using that deep drop hitch obscures your vision when hitching up a trailer. If you put a ball adaptor that is bent up at a 90 ( the top of ball pointing at you with bucket level) you keep visibility when hitching . I had it like that on my old tractor.

 

[timster2]

Nice job, you shouldn't have covered those welds with paint, you shouldn't hide that quality of work.
You may find that using that deep drop hitch obscures your vision when hitching up a trailer. If you put a ball adaptor that is bent up at a 90 ( the top of ball pointing at you with bucket level) you keep visibility when hitching . I had it like that on my old tractor.

Im not sure the angle will work or not, however, I do have some square tubing to weld something up if its a problem. Had that ball adapter laying around and it looked like it might work ok, I will have to give it a try when it stops raining. The welds did come out kind of nice. By the way the welds were made with a roll of Harbor Freight .035 wire and a Lincoln 180C. The inexpensive wire worked well.

 

[timster2]

Now that things have settled down a bit got back to what I was doing before the pit bull attack. Had a big hook and some quarter inch wall tubing so I made an attachment for my receiver. Works great for moving three point mount equipment. Don't have to get off the tractor.

 

[Mikeeemo]

Man, that is some fine work! Thanks for posting.

 

[HUCKthe1]

I never thought of the eyelets for the shackles. I will be adding those to mine I think! Thanks

 

[MH8675309]

I THOUGHT that looked like wire feed,,

 

[Tvanharp]

Wow thats pretty sweet! and those welds... very nice.
How much weight would you feel comfortable lifting regarding stress to the bucket (lifting from any one of the hooks?) I want to do something similar and was thinking about welding on a 3/8" plate to spread the load over a larger part of the bucket. Also wasnt going to attach anything that extended beyond the round tube at the top so its going to be mounted on the flat area on the backside where the metal doesnt have as much reinforcement. My post

 

[timster2]

Lifting from the center hook would not stress the lift arms beyond any weight greater than the hydraulics will limit. The problem would be lifting or pulling with one of the side mounted hooks, that would stress the arms unevenly and perhaps bend something. Using the hooks requires a little common sense. I have had hooks on my buckets for years and if i need to lift something that is heavy I use two chains and try to spread the load as even as possible. I don't tow or drag anything heavy using the side bucket hooks they are there for convenience lifting not heavy lifting.

 

[Tvanharp]

Ok yeah I understand not lifting from the side, fortunately I have common sense so no worries there. I Just didnt know even from the center hook if putting 1200 lbs on it could damage the bucket since its affecting such a small area.

 

[HUCKthe1]

Lifting from the center hook would not stress the lift arms beyond any weight greater than the hydraulics will limit. The problem would be lifting or pulling with one of the side mounted hooks, that would stress the arms unevenly and perhaps bend something. Using the hooks requires a little common sense. I have had hooks on my buckets for years and if i need to lift something that is heavy I use two chains and try to spread the load as even as possible. I don't tow or drag anything heavy using the side bucket hooks they are there for convenience lifting not heavy lifting.

This is key advise. Balancing a load from these connections will prevent racking the bucket or arms (a bad thing). I too have had mine for years and moved many heavy items with no issues.

 

[Threepoint]

Timster2, seriously, with work that pretty you should be painting it in a contrasting color, not the same as the bucket.

 

[Retired LE]

What type of gas did you use for your wire feed? I have been experimenting with various combinations in order to reduce spatter.

 

[timster2]

What type of gas did you use for your wire feed? I have been experimenting with various combinations in order to reduce spatter.

I used C25 (75% argon/25% CO2) and the wire was from harbor freight, worked well for inexpensive wire.