Removing bucket hooks?

[newtattoobob]

I have three hooks welded to the top of my FEL bucket that I need to remove. I'm trying to figure out the best way to remove them without destroying the bucket lip underneath. Would a torch or a plasma cutter be my best bet. Thanks

 

[kennyd]

Die grinder with a cutoff wheel, AKA wizzer wheel.

 

[Shield Arc]

I love my plasma for scarfing out welds. Almost like laser surgery.:laughing:
But in this case I'd probably use a zip disc on a 4-inch grinder.

 

[newtattoobob]

OK, Thanks!

 

[DT86]

I just have to ask... Why are you removing them?

 

[JBourquin]

Where are you and what size bucket is it? I would look for a possible trade with someone before you go cutting up your bucket. Way to many people adding hooks not to jump on something like that.

 

[newtattoobob]

I'm removing them because I'm installing a grapple on top of the bucket.

 

[BuilderML]

I would try a sawzall and a grinder.

 

[yomax4]

I removed mine and relocated them a few inches away. i used plasma but turned it way down to 30 amps. made for a nice wash out of the weld. I did put a few owies in the bucket material but I filled them in with weld and ground them down and you would never know. I actually gouged out one side and just a little on the other side and hit it with a BFH and the hook came right off. Not a bad job at all..

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would use my 7" grinder with 1/8" blade to remove most of the weld metal from each side. Not a real safe thing to do, but I would remove the guard so I can lay it flat with the bucket lip and grind straight in being very cautious of the exposed blade. As YOMAX said, grind it off on one side then just remove enough on the other side to easily bend it with a hammer and break off the weld. Shouldn't take more than 5 minutes per hook with a big grinder. A 4.5" with a Zipblade would work also but wont lay perfectly flat on the loader like a 7" grinder blade will so you will have to be grinding at a slight angle. With the 7" grinder, most of the weld would be gone when you get it off and it would be ready to weld back on in a new location.

 

[cowski]

i guess i am lazy for i would cut it off with a torch.

 

[flyerdan]

I'd also go for a skinny wheel on an angle grinder. You can cut most of the way through the welds and then knock them off with a hammer. Switch to a 36 grit disk and grind the welds down flat and you're ready for the grapple install. I've removed a bunch of stuff that way, and if you do get a little deep a quick line with the wirefeed before you grind the welds and you'd never know they were there.