Should I weld clevis hook on 48 BH bucket??

[Tom4310]

I was showing off my new "baby" the other day and my neighbor suggested I weld a clevis hook on the back of the bucket. He said it this is a great spot to hook chains for lifting etc. He said "everybody" that has a BH has hooks welded on the bucket so they can use the BH for lifting. Any BH owners do this? Any pros or cons against it? Any good/bad stories or experiences. Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GoodGuy]

Tom...
I stopped the other day when driving by an equipment dealer & snapped this pic. This is what I'm thinking of doing on a smaller scale. It'll be interesting to hear what other TBN'rs have & use....
Eric

 

[Tom4310]

Hi Eric

That looks heavy duty enough to do some serious lifting. Are you considering a hook or an eye? I did a quick search and found this site for weldable hooks.

1st Chain Supply Weldable hooks

Tom

 

[dicker]

I didn't put one on my 48 backhoe, however, I did have one put on the top of my 430 loader. I find that on the loader, it is a little more versatile, in that you can lift something and then drive it somewhere. However, I may now consider to put one on the hoe also.
Richard

 

[Tom4310]

Hi Richard

I considered attaching some to the top of my 430 FEL but the top of the bucket looks pretty thin. I don't know what model bucket this is but it doesn't look like the heavy duty one. I suppose I could weld a reinforcing plate across the top of the FEL bucket and then attach a few hooks to that.

 

[dicker]

You are correct about the top of the bucket being thin. I should have mentioned that I also re-inforced the top of the bucket with 3/8 inch plate before putting on the clevis.
Richard

 

[GoodGuy]

I'm thinking "eye". I then would hook a shackle thru the eye & that would give me a chain/cable hook or what have you ??

 

[dicker]

Yes. I tried to post a picture of my loader.

Richard

 

[Tom4310]

I like the setup. Looks like you can change it to fit what you need. Did you weld a bar across the flat top of the FEL before you welded the hook?

 

[dicker]

Yes. Flat bar, I think 5" x 60" x 1/4 or 3/8.

Richard