Bucket Hooks? Or clevis mounts instead?

[bcp]

I started with a single grab hook welded in the center of the bucket on top. This worked great and as time went by I kept testing it. Well, I started clearing a lot with some good size oaks and in using the tractor as a skidder I bent the top of my bucket down about 3/8"; I had found it's limit. So I straightened the top (no easy chore) and then welded a d-ring inside the bucket to use for pulling. I have maxed that baby out a number of times. So I am a proponent of having both and having them welded. The d-ring is welded where the bucket has a support piece on the back.

Later, I wanted an easy on and off trailer hitch and found that d-ring to be very useful in that regard. The hitch is on or off in less than 30 seconds and does not move sideways at all.

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Looks familiar.

Bolted through the cylinder mount reinforcement. And I have a large turnbuckle I use with a receiver on the edge, too. It is used mostly with a short boom pole, so it attaches to a chain near the tip of the pole.



Bruce

 

[two_bit_score]

I started with a single grab hook welded in the center of the bucket on top. This worked great and as time went by I kept testing it. Well, I started clearing a lot with some good size oaks and in using the tractor as a skidder I bent the top of my bucket down about 3/8"; I had found it's limit. So I straightened the top (no easy chore) and then welded a d-ring inside the bucket to use for pulling. I have maxed that baby out a number of times. So I am a proponent of having both and having them welded. The d-ring is welded where the bucket has a support piece on the back.

Later, I wanted an easy on and off trailer hitch and found that d-ring to be very useful in that regard. The hitch is on or off in less than 30 seconds and does not move sideways at all.

View attachment 492407

That is very interesting.

 

[dickfoster]

I've seen a good number of threads regarding bucket hooks but I rarely have seen any pic's of them in use. Are they only for lifting or can you lay a log in front of the bucket and wrap short chains in some rapid convenient fashion? I've just been going around the whole bucket.

I've dragged logs with mine several times. With some of the hills on my place I'd rather back up than try to drive up forward and drag a log behind. It's nice to be able to use the FEL to lift the end of the log too. Just lift the log, put a choker chain around it then hook the choker in the hook and drag away. Also chained big awkward stumps to keep them in the bucket while hauling.

 

[k0ua]

I started with a single grab hook welded in the center of the bucket on top. This worked great and as time went by I kept testing it. Well, I started clearing a lot with some good size oaks and in using the tractor as a skidder I bent the top of my bucket down about 3/8"; I had found it's limit. So I straightened the top (no easy chore) and then welded a d-ring inside the bucket to use for pulling. I have maxed that baby out a number of times. So I am a proponent of having both and having them welded. The d-ring is welded where the bucket has a support piece on the back.

Later, I wanted an easy on and off trailer hitch and found that d-ring to be very useful in that regard. The hitch is on or off in less than 30 seconds and does not move sideways at all.

View attachment 492407

Isn't that an interesting application. I could see how that would work.. :thumbsup:

 

[dsmiley]

Isn't that an interesting application. I could see how that would work.. :thumbsup:

I tighten that turnbuckle (2200# work load) with my hands; no tool is needed.

 

[FatTire]

You can also use it to an extent to pull small trees out of the ground by running the chain around the small tree several turns leaving each end with enough slack to reach both of your bucket hooks. Curl and lift your bucket as the chains tighten up on the trunk. If your tractor is able, the tree will pop out of the ground.

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Exactly. You can do the same thing if you need to remove a fence. Drape the chain over the T-post, curl and lift. You can do a whole bunch without getting out of your seat.

 

[setxjeff]

I have two hooks welded on inline with cylinders and added trailer receiver hitch in center of bucket. It is the red part in the center usually I have my gooseneck ball and 10,000 lb hook for lifting in the hitch but I have several different things that will fit. Tri-ball d-ring ect.

 

[sw99]

I use these welded on to a 4" square 1/4" plate.

 

[sw99]

And this welded to the top of the bucket. I use a 5" drop ball to move my trailer around where the truck is too big.

 

[Ishkatan]

Thank you.. I am relatively proud of that 7018 weld at 125 amps with my little Everlast PA160. It must have caught the eye of others as well, because a "professional" welder in Florida stole the photo and put it on his website as an example of his work. That "pissed" me off considerably and I sent his some electronic hatemail to which he basically told me where I could go. It was brought to my attention by another member no longer active, and he gave him a piece of his mind too, but the "pro" did not really care. If you look carefully you can see the little brick retaining wall by my house where a lot of my photos are taken, as that is where I work on my tractor. In my opinion my weld with the stick is a better weld than the Korean fella did with the MIG on the plate on top of the bucket. Here is a photo of the welder that made it.

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You might want to watermark and copyright future photos. Also share the photo thieves web site / email so others can nag him to take the stolen photos down.