Welding anchor to loader frame

[SylvainG]

Hi, with the thread about being a bad idea to weld to a tractor frame, I prefer asking now than being sorry later. I want to weld this anchor:

To the loader's frame here:

Am I asking for trouble or is it OK?

Thanks.

 

[34Willys]

If your concern is weakening the frame, why not just weld the anchor to some plate steel, and mount the plate to the bolt holes with longer bolts?
Patrick

 

[grsthegreat]

I cant see how welding in that location can hurt anything. Not even considered frame to ne

 

[bdog]

That is where I welded mine. I took the bracket off to do so but my loader doesn’t connect to it on the sides like yours does.

 

[LD1]

I wouldnt have a moments hesitation welding that on there

 

[Avenger]

If you have a concern about it, weld the D-Ring to some plate steel and bolt it on.
Here is what I did:

I did two, one on each side of the frame. I use these to wrap a chain or tie the tractor down to a trailer.

 

[Sonny580]

In that location you will be fine welding it on.

 

[Rebeldad1]

if you arnt happy with all the answers the D ring also comes with a bolt on base instead of a weld on. Use grade 8 bolts.

 

[nikerret]

I would weld it to a plate and make the plate big enough to use the bolts already in place. There are a few reasons. The first is it looks like it might be difficult getting to the top of the anchor, to get good weld penetration. Those anchors are thick. You’ll have a much stronger weld, if you can maneuver around. Look at @bdog ’s post. He mounted his vertically. I am guessing this is so he could get to both sides. Another reason I would plate mount it is that it can be removed, later. I like to have options. The other benefit to a plate is you don’t compromise the paint on the grill guard.

If you’re set on welding it to the grill guard, which is what is pictured (it looks like the grill guard is bolted to the frame), I don’t see how it could create much issue, I just don’t think it’s the best way.

 

[SylvainG]

Thanks all. I'll go with welding it to a plate. What thickness should I go for?

 

[nikerret]

I would think 3/16” or 1/4” would be fine. How thick is the frame?

 

[shovelrider]

Just remember, And make sure you take battery cables off b4 welding. Most important thing to do or else a new battery. Or u might mess starter up also.

 

[Avenger]

I would think 3/16” or 1/4” would be fine. How thick is the frame?

Yep. Or thicker, if you have some in scrap laying around. I'd go the same or thicker as your frame, if you decide to go this route.

 

[SylvainG]

The anchor plate is 1/4" so I guess there is no point going anything higher, right?

 

[nikerret]

Your tractor isn’t heavy enough to need any more. Consider this, the sides of my dump trailer are 7g (3/16”). I regularly use a chain and boomer to hold a tracked loader. That boomer outs much more pressure in that anchor than your tractor can create.

 

[WranglerX]

NO welding required....

 

[bdog]

I would weld it to a plate and make the plate big enough to use the bolts already in place. There are a few reasons. The first is it looks like it might be difficult getting to the top of the anchor, to get good weld penetration. Those anchors are thick. You’ll have a much stronger weld, if you can maneuver around. Look at @bdog ’s post. He mounted his vertically. I am guessing this is so he could get to both sides. Another reason I would plate mount it is that it can be removed, later. I like to have options. The other benefit to a plate is you don’t compromise the paint on the grill guard.

If you’re set on welding it to the grill guard, which is what is pictured (it looks like the grill guard is bolted to the frame), I don’t see how it could create much issue, I just don’t think it’s the best way.

I welded mine vertically because the primary usage will be if I get the tractor stuck and need to pull it out or if I am pulling something else out that is stuck. I figured the height of whatever is pulling me or I am pulling will be fairly similar but it could likely be at an off angle to either side so having the ring move to the sides would be better.

The factory plate I welded it to on my tractor is thick. I’m guessing 1/2”. My tractor is bigger though. Thinner material would likely be ok but I think it is always good to go overkill on things that could be recovery points. Imagine you got your tractor with a heavy implement on the back buried in the mud to the axles and had to yank it out with some type of heavy equipment from that hook. I think you would want it welded to something thicker than 1/4” in that scenario. Now if you are just wanting to tie a chain to the hook and drag logs out of the woods something thinner would be fine.

 

[grsthegreat]

Depends on how thick the metal bracket on the d ring is. Doesn’t do any good going any thicker than that material. Also need a good welder to do deep penetration on heavy plate. Ive seen people weld chain hooks on real heavy plate, but the hook tears off.

 

[bdog]

Sometimes going thicker than the bracket is beneficial. The bracket is small and basically in tension. Imagine it welded to the center of a plate the same thickness that was large and supported on the edges. You could easily bend it out.

 

[grsthegreat]

Well, if you look at trailer frames, they have these d rings welded to relatively light framework, yet they tie down some heavy loads. i never checked the thickness of my 14k tilt trailer, but it sure isn’t thicker than 1/4”. I doubt it’s that thick.