Add on bucket hooks

[roache]

Conflicting suggestions on placement of welded add on hooks to round bucket.
Kubota dealer 1... just scrape paint and weld hooks onto the sides.
Kubota dealer 2...always on the top, near each corner. Says sides are weak points.
Kubota dealer 3...must weld a plate to each side and then weld each hook to that plate.

I don't have a clue. Would appreciate opinions.

 

[Arc weld]

Definitely not on the sides of the bucket. Near the corners on the top would be OK but you may want to add some reinforcement on the inside of the bucket where the hooks are mounted.

 

[roache]

Definitely not on the sides of the bucket. Near the corners on the top would be OK but you may want to add some reinforcement on the inside of the bucket where the hooks are mounted.

Thank you. I'm handy with tools...BUT short on knowledge.
Dealer who said on top quoted $20.
Dealer who said on side no support, $125
Dealer with plates on side $85,

Go figure.
Your suggestion sounds good to me.

 

[creekbend]

I have a Kubota L4400. I have three bolt on hooks on top of the bucket. Here is what I did. Since my bucket is 72" wide, I put a 1/4" piece of angle iron - 70" long on the top of the bucket. I bolted one hook on the top of the bucket directly in the middle front of each bucket cylinder. I bolted the third hook midway between the other two hooks. Best wishes.

 

[roache]

Thanks, looks like a consenus here, top of the bucket. Your design looks like maximum bucket protection.
Appreciate the replies. John

 

[Ken45101]

I have a Kubota L4400. I have three bolt on hooks on top of the bucket. Here is what I did. Since my bucket is 72" wide, I put a 1/4" piece of angle iron - 70" long on the top of the bucket. I bolted one hook on the top of the bucket directly in the middle front of each bucket cylinder. I bolted the third hook midway between the other two hooks. Best wishes.

^^^ I think that's the generally recommended way.

I just welded three hooks onto my B21 bucket, but it has reinforcement across the middle. I have more hooks that I want to put on other buckets and I will add some angle iron, but that's the positioning I will use.

Those dealer quotes sound high. You might take it to a weld shop and just have them welded on.

 

[Steve in MT]

I did a bunch of research on this basic subject and found out that the best place to place a hook is in line with the bucket cylinders. A hook in the center of the bucket would be very handy as well. The idea is to keep the weight of whatever you're lifting centered in the bucket so not to induce a twist on the loader. As stated, you will most likely need some reinforcment. A picture of your bucket would sure help us out and there might be someone here that did the same thing to his bucket. Here is how I did mine.
Steve

 

[Burtonbr]

If you or someone you know can weld you can probably add bucket hooks for about $30. Here's how I did mine.

 

[roache]

Thanks guys, ideas and photos helped. Now there's no doubt hooks go on top..I bought my L2250 Kubota used, and there are two very small hooks on the sides of my 52" bucket. Replacing square bucket with a newer Kubota L4600 with a round 72" heavy duty L2296. Price quotes for bucket less welding, $350, $422, $500. Interesting enough, dealer with best package price was the one who placed hooks on top, and only charged $20 for welding.John

 

[Arc weld]

Yea, if you're buying a complete bucket, they shouldn't charge you a whole lot to weld a couple hooks on. $20 is reasonable. You could always say you'll buy the bucket if they put the hooks on. Make sure the guy welding is a decent welder though. I've seen some dealers attempt welding... Putting the hooks inline with the bucket cylinders is OK just make sure you have clearance in case a section of chain fell behind the hook. It could damage your cylinder(s).

 

[Ted Summey]

My tractor has a quick attach bucket instead of a pin on type so it has the QA frame on each side. I welded my hooks to the top of that frame. The frame also runs across the top of the bucket so there was no need for a reinforcing plate.

 

[jmc]

For the record, if a hook is welded in line with each bucket cylinder attachment point, and you lift with just one of the hooks, then there is still a twisting force on the loader frame.

 

[Teikas Dad]

I put my hooks in line with the loader arms. Then I mounted a bracket to use a clevis inside the bucket. (I also added 2 small ones on top)
Everything on top was welded to a 2 inch angle that I welded to the bucket. The clevis inside was welded to a plate and the plate was welded to the bucket.

 

[roache]

I put my hooks in line with the loader arms. Then I mounted a bracket to use a clevis inside the bucket. (I also added 2 small ones on top)
Everything on top was welded to a 2 inch angle that I welded to the bucket. The clevis inside was welded to a plate and the plate was welded to the bucket.

Thanks everyone. Showed dealer the photos on my tablet. Said this was new to him and sent his thanks. Dealership has a large skid steer business, and he said they got used to putting hooks on side of buckets, and continued the practice on tractor loaders. Said he's put loads of hooks on sides, lol..said will stop that practice.

 

[srs]

Roache, if not too late here is how I did mine. Added a piece of angle first to strengthen bucket.

 

[RoMad]

I use my tractor to pick up a lot of things, probably what I do with it the most. I have one hook welded in the center and I also welded a 2" reciever just a little off center. I keep a trailer draw bar with a 2" ball in the receiver. It is removable but I never seem to take it out. I do all of my liftting with one of those two. I must be missing something as I have never had anything I needed to pick up with two hooks and I am a firm believer in not picking up things with only one side of my bucket.

 

[Shield Arc]

I use my tractor to pick up a lot of things, probably what I do with it the most.

We use the front end loader the most on our tractor. I built one of these a few years ago. It really comes in handy for some things.

 

[joshuabardwell]

For the record, if a hook is welded in line with each bucket cylinder attachment point, and you lift with just one of the hooks, then there is still a twisting force on the loader frame.

100% true, but there is less leverage the closer you get to the center.

 

[weldermike]

MX5100, 84" loader, I made plates and welded the hooks to the plates, then bolted the plates down. Theyre mounted as close to the loader arms as I could get. I also had the same setup on my L4400. Ready for anything!

 

[joshuabardwell]

MX5100, 84" loader, I made plates and welded the hooks to the plates, then bolted the plates down. Theyre mounted as close to the loader arms as I could get. I also had the same setup on my L4400. Ready for anything!

That's cool and all, but... uhhh... why not just weld the hooks directly onto the plate? Or the hooks to the plates and the plates to the bucket?