Hook placement on bucket .

[terry2shot]

I got three. Gm tow hooks at each end (bolted outside at the top) and a center grab hook on top behind the rolled flange. The grab hook is on a large link that is welded to a 1/4" plate. This set up works well for me.

 

[Dargo]

I had my hooks lined up with the lift arms. Seems like that would be the strongest arrangement without worrying about bending the bucket or putting undue stress on things.

After cutting off and relocating dozens, I'd highly recommend never attaching hooks on the outside edges of a bucket. The geometry involved almost assures a twisted loader and ruined bucket if you actually use the hooks. To the OP, I'd immediately cut those hooks off the outside edges and weld them back on in line with the loader arms unless you want a loader that has one side of the bucket hit the ground 2 or 3" before the other side does. I've seen that happen more times than you can count. Hooks on the outer edges is a big no no.

 

[rScotty]

I got three. Gm tow hooks at each end (bolted outside at the top) and a center grab hook on top behind the rolled flange. The grab hook is on a large link that is welded to a 1/4" plate. This set up works well for me.

I agree completely with using plate for reinforcement. On this bucket in the picture below I tried to apply what I'd learned on the previous four FELs. Everything is made from spare parts laying around the shop and mounted by bolting rather than welding.

The center hook is backed by a square foot of quarter inch plate inside the bucket and is for use with a single chain. The hooks in front of each arm are also backed up and are for times when the lift or pull is with two chains.

The D-rings on the edge of the bucket are tie points for using ropes or straps to tie loads into the bucket - they aren't for lifting. I thought about using dock cleats there, but had the D-rings left over from another project. Galvanized iron dock cleats would have been even handier.
rScotty

 

[TripleR]

Here is an interesting thread. I like the way sixdogs uses his hooks.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/186929-using-loader-chains-etc-4.html

 

[VTFireftr]

I recently added a 4 in 1 bucket to my Kioti CK 30. This weekend I am going to be welding 2 3/8" grab hooks and one D ring to the back plate of the bucket.

What I can't lift now with the 4 in 1, I should be able to move with some grade 70 chain.

Ona side note, the 4 in 1 is AMAZING! It is more useful for my needs than i thought. Worth the investment.

Marc

 

[thetooth]

After cutting off and relocating dozens, I'd highly recommend never attaching hooks on the outside edges of a bucket. The geometry involved almost assures a twisted loader and ruined bucket if you actually use the hooks. To the OP, I'd immediately cut those hooks off the outside edges and weld them back on in line with the loader arms unless you want a loader that has one side of the bucket hit the ground 2 or 3" before the other side does. I've seen that happen more times than you can count. Hooks on the outer edges is a big no no.

Just a note the hooks are not used for lifting but for securing items to the bucket . I agree that they should not be used for lifting .

thanks

 

[Westendorf-RR]

After cutting off and relocating dozens, I'd highly recommend never attaching hooks on the outside edges of a bucket. The geometry involved almost assures a twisted loader and ruined bucket if you actually use the hooks. To the OP, I'd immediately cut those hooks off the outside edges and weld them back on in line with the loader arms unless you want a loader that has one side of the bucket hit the ground 2 or 3" before the other side does. I've seen that happen more times than you can count. Hooks on the outer edges is a big no no.

This is a knowledgeable and accurate post you should heed the warning...
As a leading loader manufacturer for over 75 years... Westendorf never recommends welding hooks to the outside edge of the bucket... always keep them inline with the loader arms.

Here is a post I just ran across... if you read further he indicates he had hooks on the outside of bucket.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2119240#post2119240

 

[Dargo]

This is a knowledgeable and accurate post you should heed the warning...
As a leading loader manufacturer for over 75 years... Westendorf never recommends welding hooks to the outside edge of the bucket... always keep them inline with the loader arms.

Here is a post I just ran across... if you read further he indicates he had hooks on the outside of bucket.
Anyone ever straighten a twisted FEL? - TractorByNet.com

You wouldn't believe how many people want to argue with me after I've seen this happen so many times. About half of the people here have hooks located on the outer edges of their buckets and will argue until they are blue in the face that their hooks are just fine where they are. You'll never convince those guys.

Of all the hooks I've cut off and relocated for guys, I've never been able to fix the damage they've done to their loaders. I have a frame rack (I also restore old cars), but there is just too much of a chance of breaking a chunk off of an axle or engine block, so I've never tried.

 

[rScotty]

You wouldn't believe how many people want to argue with me after I've seen this happen so many times. About half of the people here have hooks located on the outer edges of their buckets and will argue until they are blue in the face that their hooks are just fine where they are. You'll never convince those guys.

Yep, I agree. The outer edges of buckets are no place for hooks. That's where you put tie points for tying a load into a bucket.
rScotty