Welding on hooks vs FEL warranty

Tractors4u · Feb 27, 2004

I guess this is a Henro type question, but here it goes. There was the discussion on whether drilling ROPS would effect the warranty and so on. What about all the grab hooks people are welding on their loader buckets? I realize that a lot of people are having the dealer weld these on, would that cover them in the event of a loader failure. I can't find the manual to my 430 loader to see what it says about it. Here are a couple of scenarios: 1 The loader just fails in some way. You take it to the dealer, the territory rep gets involved and says that warranty want pay because you have welded hooks to the bucket and used it in a way it wasn't designed to be used. 2. You lift something with the hooks that you have added, tractor tips forward, even though the tractor was equipped with OEM ballast box and fluid filled tires according to manufacturers specs. Do you have any recourse? Same as above, lawyer says the hooks are not factory equipment and you were using the tractor in a way that it wasn't designed.

Chew on that one.

Junkman · Feb 27, 2004

Different animal...... the loader is designed to lift loads and how you lift them is not a concern. The only thing that might be a problem is if you were to lift a load that was too heavy for the machine and the pistons would bend. I don't think that is ever going to happen, because the BX has enough trouble just lifting the bucket with it full of loam. I had a hard time lifting a bucket of stone dust last fall. If the bucket has too much weight in it, the hydraulics just aren't going to lift it. Now if you turn the machine over because you have the bucket up too high while traveling, that is where the seat belt comes into play along with the ROPS. If you read the manual, it advises not to travel with the loaded bucket any higher than neccessary...... this means, a few inches above the ground just enough to clear the bottom of the bucket. Common sense has to prevail, except in the case of Henro, who likes to start the threads that go for pages about theoretical hypothetical impossible idealogical theories. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Henro · Feb 27, 2004

I guess this is a Henro type question, but here it goes. 

If I'm quick maybe I can answer first! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I thought about that, but welded hooks on anyway. I decided to take the chance, and they are so useful that I am glad I did. I don't expect to cause any problems using them, because I will not lift in a way that will stress the loader any more than I would in normal use.

I suppose the same argument could be made for a tooth bar too... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So far, no problems here. Bucket hooks are really useful sometimes. I have no regrets...but I bet worst case a warranty repair could be denied as the result of having them... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Edit: Junkman! You were supposed to be sleeping by now! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Second fiddle again, story of my life...

Junkman · Feb 28, 2004

( ............ Junkman! You were supposed to be sleeping by now! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ........ )

the life of an insomniac is a sleepless one...... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Deerlope · Feb 28, 2004

Most dealers will weld hooks on the FEL for you but they will never drill the ROPS.

755inNY · Feb 28, 2004

Tractors4u,

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Think about it. The bucket is only one attachment designed for the FEL. You can also add pallet forks, brooms, blades, etc. The fact that you are lifting a load not in the bucket should not make any difference. If the bucket itself were damaged as a result of the load placed on it at the welded hook, you might not get any satisfaction from the dealer.

Jeff

PineRidge · Feb 28, 2004

Can anyone here document a failure of any bucket as a result of chain hooks being welded on? It's not something that one reads in the paper very often anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Tractors4u · Feb 28, 2004

I have welded hooks to the last three tractors I have had, I just haven't gotten around to doing it on my new one yet. I don't think it would hurt the FEL just as I don't think a couple of 1/2", yes 1/2" holes would hurt the ROPS either. My point is when the poopoo hits the fan and something breaks, is Deere, Kubota, or New Holland going to use the welded on hooks as an excuse?

Glenn9643 · Feb 28, 2004

When I bought this tractor last year I hadn't mentioned bucket hooks, and the salesman brought it up. He said he was going to weld a couple of 1/4" hooks on the bucket while they were getting it set up. I told him I would prefer 3/8". I'm confident that if any problem arises with the bucket my dealer will stand behind the hook issue even if Massey doesn't. If I screw the bucket up some other way it'll be my problem.

_RaT_ · Feb 28, 2004

I welded a hook on my L48 at the center of the bucket. I bent the top of the bucket when I curled a very large and stubborn trunk out of the ground. I did not even think about talking to the dealer. I simply got the floor jack in the bucket and with every bit of the 2 tons my floor jack had, got it back in position, and welded on a re-enforcing bar. Stronger then ever and a even sturdier platform for the hook(s). The L48 has so much curl power that it was always telling the bucket what to do. I have used the various compacts like JD's 4610, my L3830 and this is not a concern, they simply don't have the power to destroy the bucket like my L48 had. I personally would weld hooks wherever you need them on the bucket. Rat.