Reinforced my Loader Bucket

[Zebrafive]

Well done, I've seen a quite a few loader buckets that have been tweaked out of shape by a grab hook welded on to the bucket without first reinforcing the top side of bucket. What I've done to 2 of my loader tractors and works very well is; reinforce top side of bucket like JDguy, then instead of grab hooks I take about a 6" length of 4"x6"x 1/2" angle and cut a 3/8" wide slot in the center of 4" side bout 2 1/2" deep. Weld this to center of bucket slot up, welds along 6" sides. Here's why, I haul a lot of stumps to my brush pile with a chain slip hooked cinched round trunk and other end of chain dropped in slot. Drive up to brush pile set stump on tip bucket forward all the way and back away, chain pulls right out of slot, self releases. Makes it a lot easier to walk up and quickly unlasso my stump. I've also just used a heavy enough angle for the top reinforcement and cut my slot directly in the center of it. B

Good idea, but for me I would want hooks too, I often move the joystick the wrong way and would not want to "dump" something I am trying to load if the chain came off. But for stumps and things you want to dump, great idea!

 

[Zebrafive]

One caution; if welding hooks inline with the boom arms, check for clearance at full curl. Make sure the hooks will not hit the curl cylinder rods.