Kubota bucket hooks

[SixHoeBob]

Sorry, but I have not mastered the camera yet. Any metal added to the top of the bucket that doesn't extended from one side to the other, is not going to do much to strengthen the top edge. Looking at the bucket from the side, the channel iron forms three sides of a rectangle. The bucket is the bottom side of the rectangle. The idea is to create a rectangular tube across the top of the bucket. Then you weld the hooks on top of the channel iron.

On the 7040 with a 1153 loader, I used 3/8th by three inch angle iron to create the tube effect.

I take assorted short pieces of metal and find a cross section that blends in with the shape of the bucket. Usually channel blends in but some times angle works better.

Some of the skid-loader buckets worked best with the steel welded inside the top edge.

The heavy duty skid-loader buckets have a triangular tube formed to create the top edge. For those no reinforcing is needed, I just weld the hooks on.

Every used tractor I know of has both the top and bottom bent or bowed. Kind of like a rite of passage

 

[brucewj]

I welded a pipe across the span of the bucket on my bx2660, then welded hooks to the pipe.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Here's mine. Philip.

 

[grsthegreat]

Here's mine. Philip.

your the hook master general :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[countrybumpkin]

On My Kubota I used angle and "Boxed" in the top edge before mounting the hooks, has worked really well to help stiffen the bucket and provide a good hook location.

 

[Kubota Tee]

I went with the bolt on method - primarily because I don't have access to a welder. I've used them quite extensively and believe they will hold as much as the bucket can lift. The hooks were rated at 10,000lbs each.

 

[clee4020]

Well it's been over a year now and I have not put the hooks on...yet. Between work and twin baby girls, I don't get a chance to go outside and play as much as I used to. As you can see from the attached pics, the bucket level indicators are made from 3/16" metal. The top lip that forms a "channel" is also made of 3/16" metal. I found that 1.5" sq. tubing fits nicely under and between the indicators and top lip to fill the channel. I thought about buying some 1.5" round tubing, but I happen to have enough 1.5" sq tubing that is 3/16" thick in the shop. Plus the sq. tubing will give a good flat surface to weld to. Should I weld an additional 1/4" plate to the top of the indicators and then weld the hooks to that? I plan to center the hooks with curl cylinders. Any suggestions?

 

[BlacknTan]

Many Kubota buckets have a pretty steep angle on the back which I wanted to reduce somewhat. I didn't want the weight penalty of a piece of steel going the full width of the bucket. So, here's mine, primed. I have photos painted and installed somewhere, but I'll have to search.

 

[kennyd]

Many Kubota buckets have a pretty steep angle on the back which I wanted to reduce somewhat. I didn't want the weight penalty of a piece of steel going the full width of the bucket. So, here's mine, primed. I have photos painted and installed somewhere, but I'll have to search.

That is a great design!

 

[kcender]

Here's what I did on my L3240.