Add on bucket hooks

[RoMad]

We use the front end loader the most on our tractor. I built one of these a few years ago. It really comes in handy for some things.

That is really a nice job and I bet it is handier than an tail on a monkey.
Did you make it out of pipe or tubing? what size and wall thickness?
Also, does your shop always look that good or only for pictures ?

 

[weldermike]

That's cool and all, but... uhhh... why not just weld the hooks directly onto the plate? Or the hooks to the plates and the plates to the bucket?

The plates add more surface area and strength as opposed to just being welded to the loader.

 

[Shield Arc]

Did you make it out of pipe or tubing? what size and wall thickness?
Also, does your shop always look that good or only for pictures ?

If I remember correctly I used 2-inch sch. 40 pipe.
No that is pretty much how the shop looks at all times.

 

[weldermike]

If I remember correctly I used 2-inch sch. 40 pipe.
No that is pretty much how the shop looks at all times.

Very nice set up! How big is your shop, dimension wise? I like how it is set up as lengthwise being the front side. Got me thinking now! Im just getting ideas together as im looking to put up a new shop soon.

 

[Shield Arc]

Mike it is 40' X 48', w/ 16' to the eaves. With a 20' x 24' garage on the side for the pickup, and flatbed. I had to go with 16' eaves because of the bridge crane. If I had it to do over again I would put the span beam on top of the rails. But I was too cheap to rent a forklift to build the crane. My 8-year old (then) granddaughter and I built the crane, and installed it with the tractor, and the wife's Durango. She did all the layout, welding, and rigging! I just drove the tractor, and followed her hand signals.

 

[weldermike]

Mike it is 40' X 48', w/ 16' to the eaves. With a 20' x 24' garage on the side for the pickup, and flatbed. I had to go with 16' eaves because of the bridge crane. If I had it to do over again I would put the span beam on top of the rails. But I was too cheap to rent a forklift to build the crane. My 8-year old (then) granddaughter and I built the crane, and installed it with the tractor, and the wife's Durango. She did all the layout, welding, and rigging! I just drove the tractor, and followed her hand signals.

Very nice set up bud, I like it! And your wife can weld as well, awsome! Ive been getting my girlfriend into the welding aspect of things too. She knows I cant do everything myself. And I hate paying someone to help me. I miss my little buddy I dropped off at Hobarts.

 

[Shield Arc]

No! That was my oldest granddaughter who helped build the bridge crane. Back then before she became a woman, she listened to me. My wife has never listened to me, she knows more about welding and rigging than I do. So two bosses on the same project don't get along! :laughing:

 

[weldermike]

LOL, 10/4 gotcha!

 

[PILOON]

For safety your hook should be dead center of the bucket, and for usefulness on top.
On mine I welded the hook to a 4 X 4" X 1/4" plate* and the plate welded to top of my bucket. (*This is to spread the stresses)
Has been on for some 10 years and occasionally loads were so heavy that the rear end lifted. (loaded tires + 300#wt)
Corner hooks make for a disaster looking to happen. (like quick flip)

 

[joshuabardwell]

For safety your hook should be dead center of the bucket, and for usefulness on top.
Corner hooks make for a disaster looking to happen. (like quick flip)

A dead-center hook is more likely to cave in the top of the bucket, though. I'd rather have two hooks, in line with the lift arms, with a chain running between them, thereby putting half as much load on each one, and putting the load closer to the outside of the bucket, where it's less likely to crush. But I agree: never use an off-center hook for anything but the lightest use. Best case is you'll rack your loader arms. Worst case is you flip the tractor.