Welding Hooks to a front end loader

[arkbound]

I'd like to weld a couple hooks so I can lift up trees using chains with my loader and make a pile. I'd like to do something that would look like the attached picture.

My question is, I have heard of people saying you need to first reinforce the bucket to keep it from bending, what do you guys think of that? I'm looking to lift mostly pine tree about 12 feet lenght.

Also my tractor is a Kioti Dk42se with a factory bucket.

I bought and mounted my hooks and clevis mounts from Bolt on hooks LLC and I love them easy to install and very rugged! I highly recommend them. Check out there post below, especially there Youtube site as well. I use them all the time to move logs and other stuff. I also use the bolt on type forks and even a bolt on receiver to park my 16 ft boat and trailer in the barn without twisting my neck out of joint. So nice to see where I am going. LOL

 

[GregJ]

Hooks on a FEL bucket are very useful.... This is just one of the things I use them for.... Cooking Dungeness Crab....

 

[Tony H]

Looking at many 3000 series Ag tractord, yes, I would reinforce these thin, light buckets.

 

[Geunther]

I considered welding hooks onto my bucket but arrived at (what I consider) a better solution for me.
Home - BoltOnHooks LLC They were well designed and you can't get much simpler than a bolt on installation. They came with the necessary reinforcement.

I have the same hooks on mine. They easily will secure a 5x5 round bale, without issues. My machine is rated for about half a ton of weight, and these are rated much higher. Follow their directions on placement, and you will be fine.

 

[jayhawk238]

You said you want to lift a 12' pine. But you never said what the DBH is. 5", 7" 10"?? There is a big weight difference between a 5" and 10" DBH tree. That could make a difference in reinforcing your bucket if needed.

 

[IrishLoader]

I also use the bolt on type forks and even a bolt on receiver to park my 16 ft boat and trailer in the barn without twisting my neck out of joint. So nice to see where I am going.

I'm at the point in life where using the "carryall/ballast box" with the ball welded to the back is a pain in the neck literally. I thought about just cutting a hole in the bucket to mount a ball when needed. The better half starts acting funny when I head for the torch for some reason.

I am getting ready to pick up a pair of those forks you mentioned and it wouldn't take any time to fab up a clamp on cross piece with a ball in the middle.

 

[Mudfarmer]

Hooks on the bucket of all three of my tractors in various patterns. Most recently put a bolt-on hook in the middle of my factory Kubota B2650 bucket. I use it all the time with no problems. Doubt I could find anything heavy enough to bend my bucket without lifting the back wheels off the ground. When in doubt just use the hook to keep the chain centered - wrap the chain around the whole bucket to take the pressure off the top lip.

 

[DK35vince]

I have 3 weld on grab hooks on my bucket.
One in front of each loader arm and one in the middle of the bucket.
The center hook is by far my most used.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I did this: grab hooks in line with the loader arms and big slip hook in center all welded on reinforced areas and drop hitch mount.

 

[check]

I have the bolt on version but welded it on to my bucket in the middle.

I also welded mine on the FEL. Great for moving trailers (very precise).