Bucket Hooks Where To Weld Hooks?

[gordon]

Ok here is a view from the front of the bucket. See pic above.


Gordon

 

[MikePA]

jdrotert, there was an attachment of a drawing. The following is what I was referring to...

<font color=blue>I'll take a pic tomorrow to show everyone what I am trying to convey. In the meantime, a quick drawing will have to do. </font color=blue>

 

[jdrotert]

Sorry, MikePA!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
I've been borrowing digital cameras to take my pics, but at the moment, I don't have one. As soon as I get one, I'll upload some pics. This setup really works!

 

[chim]

Gerard, Thanks. I saw what must have been yours some time ago and used your approach.............chim

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Gerard,

It is absolutely yours! I even remember the picture. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The only potential negative I see with that method as opposed to weldable clevis hooks would be that it appears as though the hooks might be less likely to lose the chain if the bucket is tilted forward (dumped). Have you had any experience like that (or are you just better at not dumping your bucket by bumping the SCV than I am?).

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Reinforce the top front edge of your bucket and place the lifting hook in the middle. Installing a lifting hook in line with the lift arms is foolish if not down right dangerous. Picking any substantial load from points ouside of the center of the bucket may cause your tractor to suddenly roll over if you walk with the load raised. Off center lifting can also cause stress to your hyd. cylinders, bucket etc.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Pat, I hope you'll understand if I disagree. You state that picking up from points other than the center will be problematic. You appear to be assuming that I advocate using only one hook at a time. I don't.

Two hooks give me more options. I can always create a 'center pull' with two. What I can't do is fully simulate two hooks with one. Many times I would want to use two hooks as I described with two chains to two attachment points on the subject of the lift for stability. Whether it's the same width as my hook, wider or narrower I'll have far more stability than using one attachment point and having to worry about balancing the load. Even if you run one chain from one end of the load through the hook then to the other end of the load you won't have the same stability.

Lastly, don't assume someone else's way is "foolish" just because it's different from yours. There are many ways to get to the same goal. Ours here is to help one another with a friendly exchange of ideas without insults. IF you're interested in that, you ought to register. Have a good day, sir.

 

[BKColeman]

Mike,

Did you get your hooks welded on yesterday? How did they turn out? Any pics?

 

[MikePA]

Brad,

Yes, I got them welded on. (I'll post a picture tonight) They turned out well, 'cept the funky yellow paint the mechanic sprayed on the hooks and the area on the lip near the hooks /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif. I'll have to buy some gray paint next time I am at the hardware store. Although, I don't have to 'look' for the hooks, they stand out pretty well. Had I told them, they would have brought some steel to box in the lip. However, since they are probably going to have to come out to replace the bent MMM mounting rods (see <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=nhown&Number=171815&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=>this</A> post), I will ask them to do this add'l welding then. As it was, the mechanic welded on the hooks, then used a nylon strap and the center slip hook to hold the deck up while he removed the blades and sharpened them. So, at least he trusts his welding capability that much. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MikePA]

Attached are some pictures of the hooks.

 

[BKColeman]

Looks good. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Is there a reason he used yellow paint? /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif Was it all he had or does it have a purpose?

--Brad

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>Is there a reason he used yellow paint? Was it all he had or does it have a purpose?</font color=blue>

I think it's all he had. Although I'm not sure why he painted them at all. The one in the center was painted red/orange when I bought it and the grab hooks were unpainted.

 

[MikePA]

I found some spray enamel at True Value that is almost an exact match for the gray on the FEL bucket. So now everything looks 'Boomerish' until they box in the lip.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

He may just have been trying to get some paint/primer over the fresh, uncovered weld right away. Better yellow paint than brown oxidation, right? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gordon]

Nice looking job on the hooks. Guess they told you to be careful until they box in the lip. Did you ever get a chance to look at the pictures I posted on this thread? My bucket lip is pretty much the same as yours.

Gordon

 

[MikePA]

Thanks, Gordon. I did see your pictures. I have no plans for using the hooks before they get back to box the lip in. Boxing the lip in is such an obvious thing to do, I wonder why they don't do it by default.

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>He may just have been trying to get some paint/primer over the fresh, uncovered weld right away. Better yellow paint than brown oxidation, right?</font color=blue>

Gary, I think you're right. Even though the slip hook was already painted but the grab hooks were not and the weld was fresh.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color=blue>"Gary, I think you're right."</font color=blue>

Words I never hear at home... Thanks, Mike! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[MajMac392]

I thought the yellow looked real nice.....Kind of like a Cub Cadet!!

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>I thought the yellow looked real nice.....Kind of like a Cub Cadet!! </font color=blue>
This dealer also sells Cub Cadet, so maybe that's why he had the yellow paint. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif