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).

 

[ponytug]

I saw a machinist advocating placing the eyes inside the bucket, so that if a chain breaks, the bucket offers some protection from flying chain pieces.

Any thoughts on the idea?

All the best,

Peter

 

[ljjhouser]

I use Bolt On Hooks. I think there is a plate on the back of them. They are very strong and very nice. I thought about welding when I bought the tractor, but did not want to redo the paint on the bucket. These work great and look great.

 

[RancherGuy]

I saw a machinist advocating placing the eyes inside the bucket, so that if a chain breaks, the bucket offers some protection from flying chain pieces.

Any thoughts on the idea?

All the best,

Peter

The machinist is not the only one.

I used to watch a utube fabrication expert who went on-and-on about the inherent risk of hooks on the top of a bucket, for the same reason you state: objects flying back at you. He documented how a hook placed inside the bucket was a choice location. He installed in the center of the back, a very strong location. Weld-on or bolt-on with a plate behind are purchase options. The earlier photo of the yellow Payloader bucket is a good example of inside-the-bucket protection.

As for lifting power, on one of my buckets, I welded a hook on the rear of the bucket next to, but outside of, the connecting pins so a chain could be hung down from the hook. Its more lifting force.

Oh, and I always paint mine, using the matching OEM color. It looks so much better and is durable. There once was a time I did not paint, but realized that I do like a more professional, finished look.

 

[IndyJay]

never needed hooks on my bucket, I use my forks for that kind of work. Tweak your bucket bad enough it can mess up your FEL.

I use my grapple for that sort of thing. Lots of places to hang chains and it is pretty beefy. Funny, bought my tractor a year ago, adding the grapple, and have never put the bucket on. With my previous tractor I thought the bucket indispensable.

 

[charles todd]

Have welding machine, have hooks... Send it!

CT

 

[jyoutz]

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.

I don’t have a center hook. I hook to each side and drape the chain down the center of the bucket when I want to lift. This distributes the weight in line to both lift arms, not in the bucket center (weakest part).

 

[bcp]

Center only on my BX. That's where the cylinder reinforcement is located.



Bruce

 

[jyoutz]

Center only on my BX. That's where the cylinder reinforcement is located.

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Bruce

Makes sense on a BX. The weight should be in line with the lift arm(s).

 

[cathy liebchen]

We have Ken’s bolt on hooks on all 3 tractors- they are by far the best choice

 

[WranglerX]

The machinist is not the only one.

I used to watch a utube fabrication expert who went on-and-on about the inherent risk of hooks on the top of a bucket, for the same reason you state: objects flying back at you. He documented how a hook placed inside the bucket was a choice location. He installed in the center of the back, a very strong location. Weld-on or bolt-on with a plate behind are purchase options. The earlier photo of the yellow Payloader bucket is a good example of inside-the-bucket protection.

As for lifting power, on one of my buckets, I welded a hook on the rear of the bucket next to, but outside of, the connecting pins so a chain could be hung down from the hook. Its more lifting force.

Oh, and I always paint mine, using the matching OEM color. It looks so much better and is durable. There once was a time I did not paint, but realized that I do like a more professional, finished look.

Hooks on buckets are for holding things.... Not for pulling... If you aren't "pulling things" nothing is going to fly back at you if chain or hook fails... Ring or hooks on tractor chassis or draw bars are for pulling....