Bucket hooks and reciever

[Mikeeemo]

Man, that is some fine work! Thanks for posting.

 

[HUCKthe1]

I never thought of the eyelets for the shackles. I will be adding those to mine I think! Thanks

 

[MH8675309]

I THOUGHT that looked like wire feed,,

 

[Tvanharp]

Wow thats pretty sweet! and those welds... very nice.
How much weight would you feel comfortable lifting regarding stress to the bucket (lifting from any one of the hooks?) I want to do something similar and was thinking about welding on a 3/8" plate to spread the load over a larger part of the bucket. Also wasnt going to attach anything that extended beyond the round tube at the top so its going to be mounted on the flat area on the backside where the metal doesnt have as much reinforcement. My post

 

[timster2]

Lifting from the center hook would not stress the lift arms beyond any weight greater than the hydraulics will limit. The problem would be lifting or pulling with one of the side mounted hooks, that would stress the arms unevenly and perhaps bend something. Using the hooks requires a little common sense. I have had hooks on my buckets for years and if i need to lift something that is heavy I use two chains and try to spread the load as even as possible. I don't tow or drag anything heavy using the side bucket hooks they are there for convenience lifting not heavy lifting.

 

[Tvanharp]

Ok yeah I understand not lifting from the side, fortunately I have common sense so no worries there. I Just didnt know even from the center hook if putting 1200 lbs on it could damage the bucket since its affecting such a small area.

 

[HUCKthe1]

Lifting from the center hook would not stress the lift arms beyond any weight greater than the hydraulics will limit. The problem would be lifting or pulling with one of the side mounted hooks, that would stress the arms unevenly and perhaps bend something. Using the hooks requires a little common sense. I have had hooks on my buckets for years and if i need to lift something that is heavy I use two chains and try to spread the load as even as possible. I don't tow or drag anything heavy using the side bucket hooks they are there for convenience lifting not heavy lifting.

This is key advise. Balancing a load from these connections will prevent racking the bucket or arms (a bad thing). I too have had mine for years and moved many heavy items with no issues.

 

[Threepoint]

Timster2, seriously, with work that pretty you should be painting it in a contrasting color, not the same as the bucket.

 

[Retired LE]

What type of gas did you use for your wire feed? I have been experimenting with various combinations in order to reduce spatter.

 

[timster2]

What type of gas did you use for your wire feed? I have been experimenting with various combinations in order to reduce spatter.

I used C25 (75% argon/25% CO2) and the wire was from harbor freight, worked well for inexpensive wire.