HD Loader Bucket Hooks

jinman · May 19, 2001

I thought about posting this in the ATTACHMENTS section, but on second thought, I figure this only applies to folks with New Holland Loader Buckets and then, maybe only the HD bucket. Instead of welding a hook onto my bucket (Ends? Middle? Both? Decisions, decisions! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif) I decided to make use of those handy little welded support tubes between the loader attachment points. I went to Tractor Supply and purchased large pins, clevises (clevii?) large washers, chain, and hooks. If you look at the attached photo, you can see the results. I thought about using longer sections of chain, but that would be a danger of getting caught/hung up in something and these short sections are very workable. I have used this setup both single sided and double sided and I'm really happy with it. If I didn't know better, I'd say this is another New Holland "feature." /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

What does everyone think? Please be honest (as if I thought you wouldn't be /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

JimI

paccorti · May 19, 2001

JimI,

I think that is pretty darn clever. I like it. I've been telling myself that I need some loader hooks. I think you have the exact solution I'm looking for. That best part is that I think the bucket should be very strong there. Well done!

Peter

jinman · May 19, 2001

Thanks Peter, you are too kind. Those support tubes just SCREAM for something to be put into them and I think they are strong enough to take the full rated load. I admit, I'd worry a little about the quality of a weld and whether it would be just waiting for the worst time to fail <font color=blue>/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif</font color=blue>.
Thanks again for your comments. I didn't figure a bill-of-materials, but I think you realize this is more expensive than a welded hook. I just also think it's more flexible too.

JimI

Rowski · May 20, 2001

Jim

Looks great. I've had the NH2120 for almost a year and still no hooks /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif. The idea you got of hooking up the chain to the brackets is the way I've been thinking about. I don't have enough space between the pins, I don't have the four link type bucket. I don't like to use the "lip" of the loader it's not strong enough, the loader can lift 1900 lbs!

Just something I noted. You may want to put the pin the other way. Basically put the clevises on the handle side of the pin, not the side with the washer and retainer clip. This way the washer would be riding on a flater surface (the bracket) and less likely to break.

Derek

jinman · May 20, 2001

Derek, I think if I were going to weld a hook anywhere but the top-side lips of my bucket, I'd want to add/weld an additional peice of plate steel reinforcement and then weld the hook to that. The center of the buck would probably bend under a heavy load, especially if you were using rollback and didn't have the chain being supported by the bucket's bottom cutting edge.

Thanks for your advice (engineering consult?) on my pin. You are absolutely correct. Sometimes you just don't see the obvious./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif Your suggestion may save me a lot of grief at some later point.

JimI

Rowski · May 20, 2001

Basically what I have thought so far is to weld a thick 3/8" plate accross the top of the brackets and the weld the hooks to the the plate. Most likely I will have 2 hooks rather than 1 in the center. Just seems more balanced with 2 hooks (stronger too) especially when you are talking almost 1 ton of pulling force. I need to get some hooks on there got a lot of 2" to 3" stumps to pull out.

<font color=blue>engineering consult?</font color=blue> I wish I fell into that job decription, if I did I might even get a pay raise work/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif.

Derek

jinman · May 21, 2001

I didn't mention it before, but my boxblade which is 1/4" rolled plate along the top has a hook in the middle. Guess what is bowed outwards across the top of the boxblade? I think your addition of reinforcement is very wise./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

JimI