Bucket Modifications. Pictures please.

Eric C · Apr 8, 2015

I have a John Deere 4520 with a standard bucket. I want to beef it up, add a teeth bar, add pull hooks, etc. I plan to use it clearing some medium size undergrowth on my property. I would appreciate sharing pics of your custom bucket for ideas. Many Thanks!

kennyd · Apr 8, 2015

Eric, two search terms will return hours of reading for you, try "toothbar" and "hooks" to see lots of ideas.

Eric C · Apr 9, 2015

Kenny...thanks for the link. Will be ordering some of your hooks for sure. Going to check and see if anyone else wants any to save on shipping cost. Great stuff.

MinnesotaEric · Apr 9, 2015

I have four 3/8" chain hooks welded on top of my 72" bucket and a BXpanded piranha tooth at installed.

MtnViewRanch · Apr 9, 2015

3/8" angle across the top with hooks and 3/8 plate on the side leading edges. Zero bending thus far. :thumbsup:

DK35vince · Apr 9, 2015

I have a WR Long toothbar and 3 bucket hooks.
The hooks on each end of my bucket are bolt-ons.
The center hook is a welded on 3/8 grab hook.

Eric C · Apr 9, 2015

Thanks for the photos and ideas. I'm making a plan for mine.

countrybumpkin · Apr 9, 2015

I used some 3" X 1/4" C channel welded to the top of my bucket then welded 3/8" grab hooks. Not very good pics but gives you a idea. I don't have any painted pics.

Sysop · Apr 9, 2015

I just went with a pair of standard weld on hooks.

After helping my brother in law with a trench using his tractor and backhoe, I had an idea for my tractor... He had dug up several large stones too big to get with the hoe bucket and we had to use a chain to lift them out. Between the chain we had to use, the stones the good Lord blessed us with, on the hillside we were on, biggest issue of all of it was getting the chain to stay on the hoe bucket. Here was the idea:

Built the weld up big and ground it smooth(ish) to cut through the earth and not get hung up on something. I've done hundreds of feet of trenches up to, and in some places exceeding 8 feet deep and it's never brought me anything but smiles being where it is...

As for do they hold well? Here's 1000+ pounds + leverage:

Rustyiron · Apr 9, 2015

MtnViewRanch said:
3/8" angle across the top with hooks and 3/8 plate on the side leading edges. Zero bending thus far. :thumbsup:

Yes, this way!
I've also done it like this but the angle up. This gave me the opportunity to weld on some 4" rings on the back (in the corner created by the angle) for rope/sling attachment also.

aeblank · Apr 10, 2015

here's mine. STILL haven't painted... Arg.....

jeff9366 · Apr 10, 2015

Aftermarket Bucket Spade.

Eric C · Apr 10, 2015

aeblank you have the hardest part done. Your bucket looks well built.

How do you like that bucket spade jeff9366? Is it bolt on?

thanks for sharing the pics guys.

jeff9366 · Apr 10, 2015

Bucket Spade LINK: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html

dragoneggs · Apr 10, 2015

Hooks and teeth... oh yeah!

Teikas Dad · Apr 10, 2015

Here's what I did,

I welded one hook onto a mounting plate that I bought from Ken's on the lower portion of the rear of the bucket. I also welded a shackle mount to one of Ken's plates and welded it to the underside of the bucket lip inside the bucket. Combined with a clevis shackle I can use that for a single point lift using straps for lighter items.

I got a length of 3/16X3X3 angle to set on top of the bucket lip which I welded to the lip and to the back of the bucket. 1 hook in the center and the other 2 centered on the FEL arms. I added 2 small shackle mounts that I got from Ken's outboard of the hooks, again just for lighter lifts with nylon straps.

jcummins · Apr 11, 2015

Teikas Dad said:
Here's what I did,

I welded one hook onto a mounting plate that I bought from Ken's on the lower portion of the rear of the bucket. I also welded a shackle mount to one of Ken's plates and welded it to the underside of the bucket lip inside the bucket. Combined with a clevis shackle I can use that for a single point lift using straps for lighter items.

I got a length of 3/16X3X3 angle to set on top of the bucket lip which I welded to the lip and to the back of the bucket. 1 hook in the center and the other 2 centered on the FEL arms. I added 2 small shackle mounts that I got from Ken's outboard of the hooks, again just for lighter lifts with nylon straps.