Bucket Hooks? Or clevis mounts instead?

[k0ua]

James, although I'll concede that there are differences in the various brands of welders and Everlast is well known for excellent quality,,,, the quality of your hook welds is much more due to the person holding the welder stick than the machine sitting nearby.

Oh, I agree, any DC stick welder capable of 125 amps could have made that weld. I think I could have come pretty close with my old AC 225. Maybe with a bit more spatter. OH, and cleaning down to bare metal NEVER hurts.

 

[CADplans]

For my use,,, a "D" ring is much more useful than a hook.
I can use a D ring with a chain,, and use the D ring with rope.
99% of my lifting/pulling is with rope, rather than chain.

I guess a hook could be used with rope, but, I would be afraid of a hook cutting the rope.

My "D" ring.

The D ring with two chains, 5/16, and 3/8 inch.

 

[ovrszd]

What type of rope do you use? Why do you prefer rope?

 

[CADplans]

What type of rope do you use? Why do you prefer rope?

I use the surplus rope the power company pulls power lines with,,
it is super strong, it can easily stop the pull of my 10,000 pound tractor.

I prefer rope because there is almost no shock during lifting,,,
and rope does not remove paint like a chain will.

The only knot you need to learn is a bowline,,, you can lift anything! :thumbsup:

This is a 700 pound, 6 foot cut, mower deck.

 

[sixdogs]

Why only a bowline? And I forget what that is.

 

[CADplans]

Why only a bowline? And I forget what that is.

Because I can get that knot loose without an axe,,, and I can remember how to tie it!! :laughing:

 

[GMIslander]

I put 2 hooks on like this.
But one hook in the center is much more safe on a small tractor, I realized that after I put mine on (just a tip).
All your welds are nice.

 

[kennyd]

I think everybody eventually puts hooks on their tractor buckets. The question is what is the best way to do it?

The simple approach is to just weld on a couple of grab-hooks, directly to the bucket in the desired locations. An alternate would be to weld on clevis-mounts, which would allow you to attach most anything that used a clevis-pin connection.

Do you have any thoughts as to the pros and cons of either approach?

As many have stated, there is no "best" way to add hooks-you have to consider how you might use your machine and decide whats best.

We have many pics on our website to give you some ideas, and we can supply you with both welded and Bolt-On options as well.

 

[lexluther]

Look at KennyD's website Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Bolt-On>>
Get the bolt on hook / clevis combo. You get both, plus fast easy install.

 

[davrow]

... the quality of your hook welds is much more due to the person holding the welder stick than the machine sitting nearby...

Richard, you are shattering my illusions! I got an Everlast so my welds would look like that! You mean my first ever weld isn't going to be that good?