Need help welding hooks

[PILOON]

Heck, I used ordinary chain hooks with the eye cut off, ground the edges and welded to a 3 x 4" backer and that backer welded to the center of my bucket.
Probably used 6011, 1/8 at I'd guess 90 amps or so.
That was about 8-10 years ago and for sure that hook has withstood every test I could put it to.
Nothing very special about adding a hook, however I do suggest it be installed in the center of the bucket for safety sake.

 

[2458n]

If you weld it in the center of the bucket how can you get three wheels in the air?

 

[aczlan]

If you weld it in the center of the bucket how can you get three wheels in the air?

Try to pick up something heavy that is off to one side

Aaron Z

 

[Gary Fowler]

Heck, I used ordinary chain hooks with the eye cut off, ground the edges and welded to a 3 x 4" backer and that backer welded to the center of my bucket.
Probably used 6011, 1/8 at I'd guess 90 amps or so.
That was about 8-10 years ago and for sure that hook has withstood every test I could put it to.
Nothing very special about adding a hook, however I do suggest it be installed in the center of the bucket for safety sake.

I would never put a hook in the middle of the bucket without first putting in a substantial stiffener. I have seen too many buckets with the middle all caved in from center hooks and overloading the bucket. Once bent, they are really hard to straighten out.
I put my hooks centered on the lift cylinders and if lifting a heavy load and only want a single chain lift, I use a chain to suspend between the two hooks then hook my load chain to that suspended chain so it is lifted from the center of the tractor but the force is on each side.
Otherwise, I just use a double suspension from each hook to lift the load.

 

[bigdeano]

I just welded hooks on the top corners of my bucket a few days ago. I used 3/8 clevis hooks from Harbor Freight, cut the clevis off, and ground the plating off. Put one fat bead on each side with 1/8 7014 at 125 amps.

When I saw this thread I went out and gave each one a couple hard hits on the side with a 3 lb hammer. Solid as a rock like I knew they would be. You guys that hate 7014 really crack me up. The OP screwed up by using too small a rod at way too many amps.

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

I just welded hooks on the top corners of my bucket a few days ago. I used 3/8 clevis hooks from Harbor Freight, cut the clevis off, and ground the plating off. Put one fat bead on each side with 1/8 7014 at 125 amps.

When I saw this thread I went out and gave each one a couple hard hits on the side with a 3 lb hammer. Solid as a rock like I knew they would be. You guys that hate 7014 really crack me up. The OP screwed up by using too small a rod at way too many amps.

I'm a 7014 fan

I use all of them really, 6010/11,6013,7014,7024,7018, but I've always liked 7014 :thumbsup:

(Most of the reason I use them all is I get free rods on occasion and just use them up)

 

[Arc weld]

7014 isn't the best choice for welding lifting hooks on. It's not designed for dynamic loading for one thing. Nobody hates 7014. It has its uses but lifting hooks isn't going to be a recommended use for it. 6013 is disliked by lots of people though. I think there could be a problem if someone else were to use 7014 in an application that really calls for 7018. 7014 is easy to burn and leaves a real nice bead but it shouldn't be used for something like a lifting hook that could seriously injure someone if it broke. This is a prime example of why it's good to know the applications of different rods instead of just using what you have or following what someone else did. A lifting hook also isn't something a beginner should be welding until they get some experience.

 

[Shield Arc]

As Arc weld says, 6013 and 7014 would be the last rods I would use for welding hooks on.:thumbdown:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211905-7014-break-test.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211678-6013-break-test.html?highlight=
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/211904-7018-break-test.html?highlight=

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

ArcWeld - I'm not going to say 7018 isn't a great rod - it clearly is. May even be the best choice for the hooks as well.

I'm going to respectfully disagree that 7014 won't work for dynamic loading though and have attached two manufacturers intended uses for the rod - it would appear that some of those uses are dynamic.

 

[Shield Arc]

Personally I wish you guys wouldn't beat on your hooks after welding!:thumbdown: Just load test them, and where no one could get hurt if the hook broke off.
I almost got killed years ago from a damaged padeye. It broke under load. I spent two weeks in the hospital, and missed 6-months work over it.