Ballast Box Hooks

[johnnydel29]

A lot of folks here have hooks welded on to thier loaders (I just did also). I figure, since we tend to like to drag things behind our tractors, why not get the most use out of our ballast box and weld hooks onto it.

The cool thing is that you can wrap a chain around the hooks, tight as you want, and raise the box to good clearance to be able to drag smoothly w/ out any hang ups. This is perfect for logs and downed trees.

I attached some pics of my little project that I did last night after the kids went to bed (the only time I have to do anything these days).

I am new to welding, and yes that is a 120 Volt Lincoln Pro mig 140 in the background that I did this project with. And please, do not turn this thread into a "those hooks will not hold because 120 Volt migs are not strong enough b/c.....)" If the hooks break off, then I guess I will need to weld them again .

The pics are as follows:

I used a Bosch 4.5" angle grinder to clean the surface real good w/ an 80 grit flap disc. Then I placed the hook on the surface and held it in place w/ one of those really cool right angle magnets (not sure what they are called).

I then went ahead and welded using mig solid .30 diameter wire, AR/ CO2 sheilding gas, w/ wire speed set at 3 and power at 6. I went real slow, making sure I get good penetration and build up a nice bead in the beaveled base of the hook (they come this way, which is nice).

I think the weld looks ok. Like I mentioned, I am not an expert and still learning. After cooling off, I primed the hooks using Rustoleum car primer. As I waited for the primer to dry, please notice the nice ice cold Magic Hat beer, which is was freshly brew in beautiful Vermont , which I enjoyed while I waited.

I then painted using the JD Green spray paint that I got from my dealer, which I have to say, is pretty awesome stuff.

I surf this fourm quite a bit, and I really enjoy seeing other peoples projects and ideas. I now finally have some time to submit some of my own.

Also, for those of you who weld, these weld on hooks are great. You can be quite creative and add them to your implements. And for those of you who do not weld or thinking of purchaseing a welder, it is a great investment and quite fun!!

 

[310-510]

Looks real good to me and you will get plenty of use from those hooks!

 

[Skipholiday]

very nice work.


Thanks

 

[KevPH1]

Nice job mounting your hooks!

While I had the welder out. I added/welded a 2" receiver to the back of my ballast box.

Hint: A lot easier to add the receiver "before you pour concrete."

 

[BX2230Dude]

Nice job. Your workbench looks a lot like mine. I like to have a bottle of Red Tail Ale handy while I build stuff. (another fine product of the Mendocino Brewing Company in Mendocino County California).

 

[Gizmo2]

Nice job mounting your hooks!

While I had the welder out. I added/welded a 2" receiver to the back of my ballast box.

Hint: A lot easier to add the receiver "before you pour concrete."

I like a thinker!

 

[rpoage]

Nice idea, good execution. Only thing I can add is that the hooks are higher than draw bar and will unweight the front of the tractor if a significant load is applied.

 

[pat32rf]

If that JD has hydro, just lift your right foot should the front wheels come off the ground. Once you get used to it you just keep them 2" in the air for max pulling power ;-) while you lower the ballast box almost to ground level....

 

[johnnydel29]

Nice idea, good execution. Only thing I can add is that the hooks are higher than draw bar and will unweight the front of the tractor if a significant load is applied.

Yes, I was kind of thinking that also. I am not planning on pulling anything extrodinalrily heavy. Perhaps some bundles of brush, branches and small - mid size logs.

 

[johnnydel29]

While I had the welder out. I added/welded a 2" receiver to the back of my ballast box.

Hint: A lot easier to add the receiver "before you pour concrete."

Cool idea. if you have a pic, please share. you just gave me an idea - cut a square to the the exact size of the receiver at the bottom of the box (empty of course) insert receiver, weld to the floor of box and fill w/ concrete, or termite blocks (cut to accomodate).

 

[TwinWillows]

Nice job on the hooks.. I don't have a ballast box but instead use my 7ft boxblade.. Now that I think about I need hooks on that too.

Thanks for the idea (I'd already welded a 2" receiver tube to it a while ago & really like it).

Twin

 

[stimpee]

Nice work, but except that you painted it all the wrong color!!!



I need to do that with my ballast box, although the Kubota box does not have that substantial edge at the top. I will probably weld the hooks to a piece of angle and then weld that to the box. Maybe Receiver hitch would be a good idea too...

Where did you get the nice hooks?

Steve

 

[KJF470]

Nice job! Looks good! Is that wire size a type o or did you really use .30 diameter wire. Isn't 5/16" .3125? Or is your welder capable of burning that big wire?

 

[johnnydel29]

Nice job! Looks good! Is that wire size a type o or did you really use .30 diameter wire. Isn't 5/16" .3125? Or is your welder capable of burning that big wire?

Ooops! I meant .030 wire diameter.

 

[Dale1995]

I liked what you did with your ballast box, looks great...Can I ask you where did you pick up these hooks, I am looking for some like this....did you order them from somewhere?

 

[johnnydel29]

I liked what you did with your ballast box, looks great...Can I ask you where did you pick up these hooks, I am looking for some like this....did you order them from somewhere?

you can get them at: Towing | Recovery | Service Truck Equipment - AW Direct

I used 3/8" grade 70.