Any Downside To Welding Bucket Hooks Here?

TMcD_in_MI · Sep 26, 2005

Most bucket hooks I've seen have them near the front edge of the bucket, usually with some kind of reinforcing underneath. On my JD bucket, the mounting bracket is pretty substantial (3/8") so I think I'll put the hooks there. Does anyone see any problem with having them set back like that, other than the chain scraping up the top of the bucket?

Here's a pic.

Tom

beenthere · Sep 26, 2005

That is exactly where I put mine. Couldn't think of a better place.

I also drilled a hole in the center of the bucket 'lip' that will take a ½" pin for a clevis, or a trailer 'ball'.

MrJoe · Sep 26, 2005

Not a thing, but you might want to get the hooks without the pin rings on them. AW Direct sells them, many dealers carry them also. They look factory when welded on /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Inspector507 · Sep 26, 2005

I think these are what MrJoe was referring to. I used them myself. weld-on hooks

TMcD_in_MI · Sep 26, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think these are what MrJoe was referring to. I used them myself. weld-on hooks )</font>

Yeah, I thought about the weld-on hooks, and if I can get them locally, I'll probably use them. They do look a bit nicer.

Tom

Inspector507 · Sep 26, 2005

AW Direct will have them at your door in 2-3 days.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 26, 2005

I have my bucket hooks in essentially the same place. I think that is one of the strongest points to attach them, but even at that, if your bucket has a curled top, instead of a fully reinforced top lip, I would consider welding a bit more reinforcement.

Mine hooks are the weld on hooks from AW Direct.

RedRocker · Sep 26, 2005

I put mine on the front edge, see attachment.

Dartagnan · Sep 26, 2005

Yep, if (real life = when) it bends, it will mess up your bucket freedom of movement(?), whereas farther forward will just bend the bucket lip. Trust me, you won't know you're asking too much of it til too late.

Dart

Swanee · Sep 26, 2005

I'm guessing from your picture you have the "heavy duty" JD bucket vs. a material bucket. I put my hooks in the same spot with my heavy duty bucket on my 460 loader. Scrapes the paint a little, but the top of the bucket and the bottom front lip have held up well. I also made up a short Y shaped chain section to have a lifting point in the center of my bucket for heavy loads. You'll find that on heavy loads, it tends to rack your loader frame if you only use one hook.