Bucket hooks on round top bucket

Billrog · Apr 10, 2015

What post no. 4 said.

bdog · Apr 11, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys. Many good ideas. I really don't want them on the flat part because they will be angled such that chain can slip out. Not an issue when you have weight hanging from it but I would prefer to have gravity in my favor especially when trying to use the hooks to secure things in the bucket.

PILOON · Apr 11, 2015

I'd just weld on the back below the curve on the flat area closest.
For sure with the curved top edge you wont kink it with heavy loads.
Your only concern could be tear out if thin metal. To prevent that first weld the hook to a , say, 3 X 4 inch 1/4" plate and then the plate to your bucket.
Another solution would be the bolt on hooks sold on TBN with an inner backer plate.
Your best location for safe lifting is center of the bucket.

TomSeller · Apr 11, 2015

I welded a plate behind the tube to give more support and welded a slip hook onto it. The similarly a grab hook on each side.

4570Man · Apr 11, 2015

Like others have said, I would weld on a plate to reinforce the bucket then weld the hooks on. I would put three hooks on. My tractor only has one on each end. I wish it had one in the middle because it would be less likely to tip the tractor with heavy loads.

aeblank · Apr 13, 2015

Mine's rounded. I found a normal (non-weld-on) hook worked well.

4570Man · Apr 13, 2015

My tractor also has regular chain hooks. I have been unable to break then off, so they must be pretty strong.

bdog · Apr 13, 2015

4570Man said:
My tractor also has regular chain hooks. I have been unable to break then off, so they must be pretty strong.

It is all relative. The lift capacity of our tractors doesn't really tax a G70 3/8 hook. WLL of a 3/8 hook is 6,600 lb. that means break point is 13,200 lb. With our 3,000 lb +/- lift we aren't coming close to hurting them.

4570Man · Apr 13, 2015

The strength of the hook is way more than a small tractor can pull. It is harder to get a strong weld with a regular hook VS a weld on hook.

kennyd · Apr 14, 2015

bdog said:
It is all relative. The lift capacity of our tractors doesn't really tax a G70 3/8 hook. WLL of a 3/8 hook is 6,600 lb. that means break point is 13,200 lb. With our 3,000 lb +/- lift we aren't coming close to hurting them.

WLL is generally 1/4 of break force, not 1/2.