Hooks on Bucket

[3Lfarms]

I welded two chain hooks in line with the loader arms, similar to what most guys do. I found they were lacking when I needed to chain the bucket down to the trailer or when I chain the bucket to the forks when loaded on the trailer, so I had some extra 1/2” D rings I welded on. I cut 4” square pieces of 1/2” plate to beef it up a little more. My loader will pick up 2 tons, so I wanted it plenty stout.

 

[goeduck]

Very nice job. My Kioti came with plates factory welded on to weld hooks onto. If I say so, my stick welds look better than the factory MIG welds of the plate.

That is a VERY good looking weld in my book. Nice.

 

[k0ua]

Yes they do, I am a fan of stick also James :thumbsup: I have both but in this situation I like stick.

One thing for sure if the stick weld looks good, you don't have to worry about penetration. Which you can't always say about MIG. I have seen some beautiful MIG welds that look good, but were not' burned in hot enough, and there was no penetration to speak of. Kinda like a hot glue gun, and held about as well.

 

[k0ua]

That is a VERY good looking weld in my book. Nice.

Thanks. I was kinda proud of it. AND another commercial welder took my photo he got from the internet and posted it on his own site as an example of his own work!. I was pretty pixxed off and told he so, but he didn't seem to care. It has been several years ago, and another TBN member had seen it and mentioned it to me.

 

[GeneV]

Another satisfied user of Ken's product. I went with bolt on because I did not have a welder at the time.

I like that setup.

 

[Molalla1]

One thing for sure if the stick weld looks good, you don't have to worry about penetration. Which you can't always say about MIG. I have seen some beautiful MIG welds that look good, but were not' burned in hot enough, and there was no penetration to speak of. Kinda like a hot glue gun, and held about as well.

Yup, they can be very "pretty" but a glue gun probably held just as good . . . :drink: how true.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have just used the Bolt on hooks that you get at Harbor Freight. They are not grab hooks but work great. I have had them on 3 tractors. The good thing is that they are about $10 each with bolts included. A 2" receiver in the middle is a nice addition as well. Gives you all the flexibility you could ever want.

 

[PILOON]

One thing for sure if the stick weld looks good, you don't have to worry about penetration. Which you can't always say about MIG. I have seen some beautiful MIG welds that look good, but were not' burned in hot enough, and there was no penetration to speak of. Kinda like a hot glue gun, and held about as well.

Know what you are saying.

I had a small hoe once that was MIG welded, looked good but when digging out a 1/2 yard or so rock the whole arm separated cleanly from the pivot point.
No real penetration!
LOL was funny to see it all laid out on the ground.
Shows how powerful hydraulic power is.

 

[shooterdon]

I have just used the Bolt on hooks that you get at Harbor Freight. They are not grab hooks but work great. I have had them on 3 tractors. The good thing is that they are about $10 each with bolts included. A 2" receiver in the middle is a nice addition as well. Gives you all the flexibility you could ever want.

I attempted to find those hooks but was unsuccessful. Would you be kind enough to post a link?

Thanks,

Don

 

[bcp]

Maybe these:

10,000 Lb. Capacity Tow Hook Kit

Bruce