Bucket Modifications. Pictures please.

[Eric C]

I have a John Deere 4520 with a standard bucket. I want to beef it up, add a teeth bar, add pull hooks, etc. I plan to use it clearing some medium size undergrowth on my property. I would appreciate sharing pics of your custom bucket for ideas. Many Thanks!

 

[kennyd]

Eric, two search terms will return hours of reading for you, try "toothbar" and "hooks" to see lots of ideas.

 

[Eric C]

Kenny...thanks for the link. Will be ordering some of your hooks for sure. Going to check and see if anyone else wants any to save on shipping cost. Great stuff.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I have four 3/8" chain hooks welded on top of my 72" bucket and a BXpanded piranha tooth at installed.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

3/8" angle across the top with hooks and 3/8 plate on the side leading edges. Zero bending thus far. :thumbsup:

 

[DK35vince]

I have a WR Long toothbar and 3 bucket hooks.
The hooks on each end of my bucket are bolt-ons.
The center hook is a welded on 3/8 grab hook.

 

[Eric C]

Thanks for the photos and ideas. I'm making a plan for mine.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I used some 3" X 1/4" C channel welded to the top of my bucket then welded 3/8" grab hooks. Not very good pics but gives you a idea. I don't have any painted pics.

 

[Sysop]

I just went with a pair of standard weld on hooks.

After helping my brother in law with a trench using his tractor and backhoe, I had an idea for my tractor... He had dug up several large stones too big to get with the hoe bucket and we had to use a chain to lift them out. Between the chain we had to use, the stones the good Lord blessed us with, on the hillside we were on, biggest issue of all of it was getting the chain to stay on the hoe bucket. Here was the idea:

Built the weld up big and ground it smooth(ish) to cut through the earth and not get hung up on something. I've done hundreds of feet of trenches up to, and in some places exceeding 8 feet deep and it's never brought me anything but smiles being where it is...

As for do they hold well? Here's 1000+ pounds + leverage:

 

[Rustyiron]

3/8" angle across the top with hooks and 3/8 plate on the side leading edges. Zero bending thus far. :thumbsup:

Yes, this way!
I've also done it like this but the angle up. This gave me the opportunity to weld on some 4" rings on the back (in the corner created by the angle) for rope/sling attachment also.