Bolt on hooks

[Gordon Gould]

So it was a little scary drilling holes in a brand new tractor, but I got my hooks from Ken installed today. Easy 15 minute job.

View attachment 597597

Ahh - I remember that feeling. But in 20 years it will be covered with dodaads you added and it will feel like it is really your tractor. You will like those hooks !

gg

 

[jaxs]

I have a question for you engineer types and those that have abused bucket add ons. To spread stress, prevent distortion and cracking,shouldn't the hooks be mounted on plates with bucket sandwiched between? Yea,I know that mean's drilling more holes. If one chose's to weld,it would seem especially advisable to weld hook to a plate then weld plate to bucket rather than welding hook to bucket.

 

[PILOON]

I wanted hooks for my FEL and could not locate those 'weldable' versions.
I took regular 5/16 th and cut/ground to a suitable shape.
Besides the regular hooks were about 75% less than the 'weldable' versions.
Then welded them to a 3 X 4 HD flat stock and then welded that 3 x 4 plate to the top of my bucket.
That's like 12 years ago and gotta tell you they have done HD duty and never complained.
Bucket is still nice and straight.
OK, I needed to touch up the bucket paint but some black Tremclad took care of that.

 

[TimP]

I have a question for you engineer types and those that have abused bucket add ons. To spread stress, prevent distortion and cracking,shouldn't the hooks be mounted on plates with bucket sandwiched between? Yea,I know that mean's drilling more holes. If one chose's to weld,it would seem especially advisable to weld hook to a plate then weld plate to bucket rather than welding hook to bucket.

Ken actually sells some pre-made, pre-drilled backing plates that you can buy to use in case you want to mount the just the clevis without the hooks. The price was reasonable. Check out his site. You may need slightly longer bolts depending on what you do.

 

[jblac197]

I have a question for you engineer types and those that have abused bucket add ons. To spread stress, prevent distortion and cracking,shouldn't the hooks be mounted on plates with bucket sandwiched between? Yea,I know that mean's drilling more holes. If one chose's to weld,it would seem especially advisable to weld hook to a plate then weld plate to bucket rather than welding hook to bucket.

Yup. I did exactly what your thinking with the weld ons. Welded them to a 3"×3" chunk of plate and then stitch welded the plates to the bucket. I figured it would be easier to fix if one broke but I have yet to break one and I've been rough on em..