New Guy Asking For Recommendations

[Sulla]

Sulla,

North Conway is a great place to live, been through there many times....:thumbsup:......I run my huntin' furbuddies in the White Mountains just about every weekend....

Welding is full of newbies like us.....Yes, I'm a newbie also that started 35 yrs ago.....I own many units (at work) and welding is one thing that has hurdled me over the top in the repair business.....

Years ago a friend said "Wow, You Weld? A guy that can weld can fix anything"......This has stuck with me a long time.

We'll look forward to your progression as you post pics......:cool2:

Wow! I've gotta say I never expected this much help this fast. Terrific forum! " A guy that can weld can fix anything" is why I want to be able to weld.

I've spent a lot of years paying people to do things for me. I figure it's time I do for myself. From what I can tell stick welding is where I want to start. Seems like step one. I'll also invest in a torch for cutting. If I can get a good used unit with a generator I think that's the route that makes the most sense for me.

I think it will be some time before I can pass the welding test on page one. But maybe I can get a few hooks welded to the bucket of my Kioti.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I soon as I have something to post I'll tac it up.

 

[wdchyd]

Here's a few pics of my hooks......

 

[gwdixon]

wdchyd did a nice job on his bucket hooks but it is a bit advanced for a first timer. Also, reinforcing the bucket to support the hooks is a great idea.

Another option is to weld a pipe under the top lip of the bucket to keep it from collapsing when lifting heavy objects with a chain. 1/2" pipe fit the BX bucket lip perfectly.

In my case, the hooks are welded to a 4"x3" plate and then the plate is welded to an already reinforced part of the bucket.

Do a seach of TBN for bucket hooks or grab hooks and you will come up with an unreadable number of posts - many with pictures.

One comment on hook placement. Don't try to lift from the edge of the bucket or things will get way too tippy way too soon. It also can tweak the FEL if not careful.

Here is a place to get weld-on chain grab hooks. They don't need modification like wdchyd had to do on his. Never had a failure with these.

https://www.truckntow.com/pc-11373-147070-weld-on-grab-hook-38-pellican-hook.aspx