Bucket Hooks

[WranglerX]

One thing I noticed on my install was I put slot bracket right over where welded supports for bucket attachment to lift arms/hydraulics, my thinking was for strong point on bucket... I also notice when operating the other day I had a hook dangling on back side of bucket, and at full curl IT WAS AWFULLY CLOSE TO HYDRAULIC FITTING on ram for curl/dump of bucket.... Close enough if the hook was cocked just right it could actually shear off hydraulic fitting... Maybe pictures if rain stops..

Would suggest caution in placing brackets and relation ship of chain to any hydraulics close to chain slots...

Dale

 

[dalola]

One thing I noticed on my install was I put slot bracket right over where welded supports for bucket attachment to lift arms/hydraulics, my thinking was for strong point on bucket... I also notice when operating the other day I had a hook dangling on back side of bucket, and at full curl IT WAS AWFULLY CLOSE TO HYDRAULIC FITTING on ram for curl/dump of bucket.... Close enough if the hook was cocked just right it could actually shear off hydraulic fitting... Maybe pictures if rain stops..

Would suggest caution in placing brackets and relation ship of chain to any hydraulics close to chain slots...

Dale

Good points, Dale...will definitely pay close attention to layout & component location. Since the BX has a single cylinder for the bucket, things are a bit cleaner behind the bucket.

 

[chim]

Thanks chim, I like the way you think! Do you have a background in fabrication? Also, what are the dimensions of the (newest) angle you used? Nice touch with the square holes for carriage bolts!

Thank you. I have no formal training outside of electrical, but have always enjoyed tinkering.

The angle is 4x4x1/4. It is a full 4" on the vertical and the horizontal leg is trimmed off at the bend of the bucket.

Hate to disappoint you on the bolts. They're rib neck bolts and not square. These are easily set with a hammer after drilling a plain round hole.

Here's a shot from today hauling a tree branch that was stuck in our creek.

 

[dalola]

Thank you. I have no formal training outside of electrical, but have always enjoyed tinkering.

The angle is 4x4x1/4. It is a full 4" on the vertical and the horizontal leg is trimmed off at the bend of the bucket.

Hate to disappoint you on the bolts. They're rib neck bolts and not square. These are easily set with a hammer after drilling a plain round hole.

Here's a shot from today hauling a tree branch that was stuck in our creek.

Awesome, thanks! Still looks nice & green up there in PA. We've been covered in light snow & ice all week, but rain moving in for the weekend should fix that.

 

[Bigpuddie]

Here are my hooks...nothing fancy

 

[k0ua]

I needed a good chain connection on the tines of my log grapple. I was going to just drill a couple 3/4" holes and use a shackle. I didn't know what the steel was but when I tried to drill an 1/8" pilot hole with a hand drill and a good bit I found out it was Kryptonite. A definite no-go with a hand drill - for me at least. Thought about burning a hole but my torch work is a little crude for a 3/4" hole. So I made a couple 1/2" weld lugs instead.

View attachment 579637

View attachment 579638

Now I have a slip connections with just the shackles or I can add a grab links big enough to pass a hook thru to get a grab connection.

View attachment 579639

gg

Nice weld job with your Everlast stick machine. 125 amps... hm... 7018 I assume?

 

[Gordon Gould]

Nice weld job with your Everlast stick machine. 125 amps... hm... 7018 I assume?

Thanks and you are correct. 1/8" rod.

gg

 

[Gordon Gould]

Everyone needs and loves bucket hooks. I've had this tractor a couple years now. The guy I bought it from had just one bucket hook. It is in the center. A little hard to use for a lot of things so I finally put hooks on the ends. After I welded the first one on backwards (Duh - I have an excuse but it is pretty lame.) I decided to just go with it and put a second one backwards in case I ever want to hang chains off the back of the bucket. So I ended up with a reverse pair and a forward pair of hooks plus a pair of lugs for a 1/2" shackle. The first chance I get I will use the backwards hooks just to make me feel better.





gg

 

[TractorGuy]

I just cut one eye off some 3/8" HF hooks and welded them on. They look just like the ones that were already on my backhoe loader.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Provided your bucket is sturdy enough, a hook in the center makes the most sense in many cases. If I were to lift something heavy, I would link a chain between two hooks anyway to get a central lift or pull for that matter.