Reinforcement for FEL bucket

[3RRL]

Hi Dave,
I just welded 2 grab hooks onto my bucket this weekend. They are welded to plates, which are welded to the back of the bucket. These are near the top lip, but not on the top lip. I plan to add a plate across the the top of the bucket to help with the stress if needed, but the top lip of this Koyker is pretty hefty.

 

[rswyan]

I did this around the time this thread was active but didn't get around to taking photos until a couple of days ago. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I used a piece of 2" x 3" 1/4" angle to reinforce the top edge of my 60" Light Materials bucket on the LA402 of my B2910. The angle pretty much fit perfectly giving a level flat surface if I decide to install a grapple later and need a place to set some square tube for it.

I also cut off the original hooks that the dealer had installed, which were the clevis type, and installed a proper pair of weld-on ones which I had picked up at AW Direct awhile back. I re-used the 1/2" base plates that my dealer had welded the original hooks to. I did have to do a pair of cut outs in the nagle to accomodate the base plates.

 

[rswyan]

Right side of the bucket. Note that the hooks are placed so that they are in line with the loader arms (my dealer though that this would minimize the likelihood of tweaking the loader)

 

[rswyan]

Entire rear. The big thing in the middle top of the bucket is a piece of 1/2" plate that the dealer installed. It is to prevent loose materials in the bucket from pouring back (onto the hood of the tractor) when the bucket is raised high and curled all the way back.

(When I bought B2910 my dealer had almost new L series in his rental fleet .... without the plate on the top edge of the bucket. Someone had taken it out and repeatedly dumped gravel onto the nice new hood. The tractor was in great shape when I saw it .... except for all the paint chips on the hood which were now rusting away)

 

[rswyan]

Front edge.

Hmmmm ...... looks like like I didn't quite get the last load completely dumped. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[rambler]

Interesting mods.

How do you keep the chains in the hooks, with the hooks angled backwards? For me the chain would fall out. I'd want my hooks in front, so gravity holds the chain in the hook.

--->Paul

 

[PineRidge]

Nice modification Randy, and those are some nice looking beads too.

 

[rswyan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How do you keep the chains in the hooks, with the hooks angled backwards? )</font>

It's easy - I hook to the chain about 1' or so in from the end - the short end of the chain is then draped over the front lip of the bucket along with the longer part. The weight of both keeps the chain seated in the slot .... haven't had a problem with it yet in almost two years.

 

[rswyan]

Thanks Mike. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wushaw]

Good job and nice welds /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif