Bucket hooks - Almost ready to weld

[bumperm]

This shows how I attached them to my bucket...

View attachment 445761

It worked out quite well. I much preferred this method vs burning up my factory paint on my bucket.

I did *almost* like you, with a 2" receiver hitch in the middle. The receiver will hold a hook:

Receiver Tow Hook

or a drop down 2" receiver extension that I made to get a tow ball down lower and ahead of the bucket. That, and a video cam looking down at the ball, makes picking up and moving trailers around convenient.

I also mounted two 5/16 weld on chain hooks on each side in line with the lift arms. Two isn't necessary, I guess, but there are times when it's nice to have an extra hook to loop slack into etc.

 

[4570Man]

You'll be surprised at how much you use those hooks. I went with the bolt on's from Ken and I'm not sure what I'd do without them anymore.

I used to use my hooks a lot, but now that I have SSQA forks and a grapple I don't remember the last time I used them.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Most use I get from my hooks is to lift up my lawnmower so I can change the blades and wash out under the deck. Without the tractor/FEL with chain hooks a 10 minute job would be next to impossible for me. On my Ferris, I permanently installed a chain loop on the front so I can just hook a chain hook into it and then to the FEL and lift the mower to about 75 degrees vertical. Perhaps not the safest way to get under the deck but definitely quickest and easiest. I for sure trust this more than I would some kind of jack to lift the mower that may slip at any time. Barring hydraulic hose failure, not much chance of anything falling using the chain hooks and FEL.

 

[MOTractor]

You'll be surprised at how much you use those hooks. I went with the bolt on's from Ken and I'm not sure what I'd do without them anymore.

These weld on hooks were from Ken too. I have big hooks on my Ford 1920, they were there to hold the slip on bucket forks. I think these chain hooks will be even more useful.

 

[PSEbowhunter]

I used to use my hooks a lot, but now that I have SSQA forks and a grapple I don't remember the last time I used them.

I can understand that. My tractor doesn't gave the ssqa and i don't plan on converting it at this point. I do have a diverter kit coming soon and working in a bucket grapple. I'd imagine once i get all that the hook use may get cut down a bit.

 

[bumperm]

When adding a grapple to an existing bucket, the hooks need to be located so they don't get in the way.

If you get 5/16" hooks, they'll work on 1/4" and 3/8" chain.

I have SSQA and forks, but if the buckets on, even as fast and easy as it is to put the forks on, it's easier still to use the chain hooks *if* the load is suitable for chain.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I finally put some hooks on my bucket today

 

[MOTractor]

Those look great, but they remind me that I need to work on my welding skills!

 

[k0ua]

Nice looking Dieselcrawler:thumbsup:

 

[dieselcrawler]

Thanks... I would have preferred to use a stick welder, but not having one available, I just used my little mig. Turned it up as hot as it would go, and went to it. As light as my 3005 is, and limited lift abilities, it should be strong enough.