Bucket mounted, class III, receiver hitch

[Corm]

Chris, you could always put the bolts in upside down. That way only the bolt heads would be inside the bucket.

Corm

 

[cstocks]

That's a thought.

Corm, Mark - thanks for the input.

 

[GaryM]

Or just cut the bolt to length so that it just protruded from the nut a couple of threads. I'd do that even if I put the heads inside the bucket.

Did you use locking nuts?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

You ought to be able to buy close enough to the exact length bolts you need that with a couple flat washers you could use an acorn nut. No exposed threads and no really sharp edges. /w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Gary,
I like acorn nuts. Seems if there is a burr, sharp edge, or exposed bolt I'll snag something on it. Usually my skin. There's enough layers of skin, you can lose a few now and then and still be OK, right? /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[bnixon]

Hey Chris,

How would you bolt that on with the pipe top bucket?

I am assuming your bucket is like mine with the pipe across the top!

 

[cstocks]

Good question, Brandon! I haven't laid eyes on my tractor in three weeks so I did not even think about the design of the bucket. But now that you mention it the pipe top on the bucket could be a problem. Hmmmm.

I am picking up my tractor in Ark. this weekend and bringing it home so I will eyeball it and give it some more thought then. Thanks for bringing this small detail to my attention.

 

[snooks]

I am considering mounting a receiver hitch on the bottom side of my bucket. Of coarse I would have to unbolt it when not in use, but the reason is so I can put one of those cargo carriers on the bucket modified with a railing in order to lift a person up to trim trees and hedges. The bucket would serve as part of the area where tools and supplies are put, thereby extending the work platform. Anyone try this? Is this a bad idea?

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I would sure want you to consider the leveraging effect that extending the weight of a human platform and a man out from your bucket will have. Also, consider that the only support you have is in the center while the man in the bucket will likely be moving side to side putting a lot of torque on that single receiver. Add to those considerations what you might think the strength of the metal on the bottom of your bucket is when subjected to all of that. Personally, when I consider all of those things I wouldn't want to be the one on that platform. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Some TBN'ers have made some outstanding man lifts for their tractors you might be able to find doing a search here. Good luck. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Spencer]

Snooks,
I started out to make my personnel lift using a 2" receiver tube.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=160147&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=7&o=0&fpart=>http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=160147&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=7&o=0&fpart=</A>

A lot of people suggested that it would not be the way to go and I proved that for myself. The lift I ended up with is very sturdy and I am completely happy with it.