Loader Modifications

[rgood]

Guys I have a new Koyker 120 Loader - I'm considering welding hooks on - And a receiver hitch - I thought I'd be able to find some pictures here of ideas, but I ran a search and haven't found any - Maybe I'm just missing them - Please post some pictures of your bucket modifications.

Thanks

 

[texasjohn]

Here's what I did... There are 5 chain hooks. One in the middle (orange) and one on each side (silver) that are catch hooks. There are also two slip hooks (silver), one on each side. I positioned them back away from the loader edge so I can place items "flat" on the loader without hook interference.

also, you see my tooth bar.

 

[rgood]

Hey, that's nice - I hadn't thought about a toothbar - And good idea to keep the hooks back a bit so as not to interfere with keeping something flat!

Thanks

The tooth bar would help me some - I wonder what ideas people have to help haul things like fence posts - When I was in highschool, I worked for a guy that had a bucket on a 4020 and the bucket was so much bigger than the one I have that you could do more with it.

 

[shaley]

If you add hooks just make sure you tie the hooks into a structural element more than just the bucket skin. I used a base plate too tie into the front tube and put the bent down skin in tension vs. peel. A bent strap arrangement would have been better.

 

[rgood]

Wow, that is a really nice weld.

I'm not sure what you mean by a bent strap arangment.

Are you saying to use a bent strap rather than a hook or are you saying something else?

 

[shaley]

Rather than a plate under the hook like in my pic I could have used a longer plate more of a strap. This will help tie into the bucket end plate.

 

[texasjohn]

I use the bucket to haul T posts, also, to drive T posts into the ground.. with a sheath of pipe over the post to keep it from bending/snapping. The toothbar is a supremely popular add on to a FEL bucket.... you can use the TBN search function to find the many, many threads on the toothbar topic.

You can also put a carryall on the 3ph .... I have done so and it, too, is one item I never leave without... sooooo handy to carry things

 

[excelagator]

I added buckets hooks to mine.

I didn't like the ball on bucket ideal because I could not see it on mine. I added a HF quick hitch. I built a frame for my tow bar and painted JD green. Ended costing me a hair over 100 bucks.

 

[johnk]

I used angle iron to give mine strength..

 

[mjncad]

Take a look see at the gallery of stuff I've made, which includes bucket hooks and a receiver hitch. The link is in my signature.

A tooth-bar is on my list now to deal with our Claycrete...err...Bentonite soil.

 

[rgood]

Nice Work MJ !

 

[3RRL]

I place my grab hooks (2 of them) on the back of the bucket right above where the fel arms attach to the bucket. They are welded to the extra plate there out of the way and angle towards the center. I don't have a center hook but always use 2 chains to center the loads.



You can see them on the back here where they are out of the way when I mounted my bucket grapples. I run the chains over the grapple bases which are 1" thick.

 

[rgood]

Thanks for posting Rob -

Question - What is available for the loader that helps you know what angle it is positioned at - Is there some kind of a flag system a guy can put on it so he can see how it is tipped ???

 

[nedly05]

I welded on a piece of 1/4 plate steel, then welded the hook to that.

 

[3RRL]

I think this is what you mean, right? Something to indicate where the lip of the bucket is?
It's a bucket level indicator.



You can do a search for more kinds. Over the years I've managed to figure out where my bucket lip is and what level or tilt it's at, so I don't rely on the level indicator anymore.

 

[rgood]

Thanks 3 R - So what do each of your lines mean?

 

[glmf]

I welded a piece of channel across the whole top edge before putting the hooks on, really stiffened it up. The I used pad eyes for more options works out real well.

 

[3RRL]

Thanks 3 R - So what do each of your lines mean?

Initially, the red marks are what I used. The gray was just to show the difference between them. When only the top red mark showed, the bucket was tilted to a suitable angle I found (personally) for digging. The second from the top red mark was when my bucket was level to the ground at ground level. The third down was curled all the way up...LOL...no need for that one.

That paint has since worn off and I've since found I can "eyeball" my bucket position pretty good now.

 

[GIJOE]

Here are the modifications on my FEL.
The first three pics are of a hook welded onto the back of the quick attach plate between the loader lift arms. This hook will be used if I reach the upper limits of the lift capacity. I will be able to bring the load closer to the pivot pins, and if needed, I will also be able to shed the 300#?? bucket. The last two pics, I welded a piece of 2" x 3" x 1/4" angle across the top of the bucket for added strength, and then welded two hooks in line with the lift arms.

Joe