Bucket hooks - Almost ready to weld

MOTractor · Oct 30, 2015

After reading a bunch of threads on bucket hooks and clevis mount - I am almost ready to weld. The bucket is on an LS XR4040 - what do you think of the placement? I have each chain hook (5/16) directly in line with the loader arm and the clevis mount in the center. I only plan on using the clevis for fairly lightweight stuff - probably rope only.

I am planning on cutting some 1/4" plate to mount these to, then weld the mounted hook/clevis to the bucket. I have plenty of 1/4" x 4" flat stock - I was thinking of a 1/4" 4" x 3" plate, what do you think?

A different way to mount them?

MOTractor · Oct 30, 2015

I forgot to mention in my original post: I ordered and received my hooks and clevis mount from BoltOnHooks.com. Fast service and even refunded me part of the original shipping cost since he was able to ship cheaper. Great purchasing experience!

BigBoyToys · Oct 30, 2015

Those look fine. I have my two hooks lined up with the arms as well.

k0ua · Oct 30, 2015

I think your plan is sound. Here are my hooks welded to the existing factory welded pad. I suppose the pads were for that purpose.

I didn't think the original factory MIG welds were anything to write home about, but if I do say so, I think my welds with some 7018 turned out pretty good.

MOTractor · Oct 30, 2015

k0ua said:
I didn't think the original factory MIG welds were anything to write home about, but if I do say so, I think my welds with some 7018 turned out pretty good.

Your welds look great, you are right about the factory welds. I am going to cheat - will probably let my son weld them on for me if he can come out tomorrow morning, he is a welder by trade.

dragoneggs · Oct 30, 2015

k0ua said:
I think your plan is sound. Here are my hooks welded to the existing factory welded pad. I suppose the pads were for that purpose.

View attachment 445721 View attachment 445722 View attachment 445723 View attachment 445724 View attachment 445725 View attachment 445726

I didn't think the original factory MIG welds were anything to write home about, but if I do say so, I think my welds with some 7018 turned out pretty good.

Actually yours are quite beautiful! I just don't get 'em that pretty with my MIG. :thumbsup:

kennyd · Oct 30, 2015

MOTractor said:
I forgot to mention in my original post: I ordered and received my hooks and clevis mount from BoltOnHooks.com. Fast service and even refunded me part of the original shipping cost since he was able to ship cheaper. Great purchasing experience!

Thanks John, we try not to "profit" from shipping fees therefore make the refund whenever we can. One day we might get a fancy cart service that only adds real shipping charges, but this is what we have for now.

The placement on your bucket looks perfect to me, weld away :thumbsup:

MH8675309 · Oct 30, 2015

I did it the same way Koua did with plates but my root pass was of 6013 good and hot. Chipped it and brushed it then went over it with 7018 a few passes. I've picked the back end up more than once with these,,, i use the middle one most so the loader dont get racked.

MH8675309 · Oct 30, 2015

Looks like you mighta done a few passes before - good job

k0ua · Oct 30, 2015

MOTractor said:
Your welds look great, you are right about the factory welds. I am going to cheat - will probably let my son weld them on for me if he can come out tomorrow morning, he is a welder by trade.

dragoneggs said:
Actually yours are quite beautiful! I just don't get 'em that pretty with my MIG. :thumbsup:

Thanks, guys. That is an example of some of my best stick welding. I don't show the worst examples of my stick welding

dragoneggs · Oct 30, 2015

k0ua said:
Thanks, guys. That is an example of some of my best stick welding. I don't show the worst examples of my stick welding

I try not to show my best examples... at least not close up! :ashamed:

Shield Arc · Oct 30, 2015

MOTractor said:
I only plan on using the clevis for fairly lightweight stuff - probably rope only.

One way to beef up your bucket, skip weld a piece of flat bar inside the upper lip of the bucket, (on edge). Right under your shackle pad eye. Make sure the flat bar is long enough to reach the sides of the bucket, and weld the flat bar to the sides of the bucket.

MOTractor · Oct 30, 2015

Is a skip weld the same as a stitch weld? Speaking of welding, should I skip weld the plates (the plates the hooks are welded too) to the bucket? Or continuous weld?

mangus580 · Oct 30, 2015

This shows how I attached them to my bucket...

It worked out quite well. I much preferred this method vs burning up my factory paint on my bucket.

Shield Arc · Oct 31, 2015

MOTractor said:
Is a skip weld the same as a stitch weld? Speaking of welding, should I skip weld the plates (the plates the hooks are welded too) to the bucket? Or continuous weld?

Skip welds really help control distortion. Especially if you back step the welds too. Back stepping, and skipping around a lot breaks up the heat line, so a lot less chance of distortion. A lot of things I skip weld, I will use caulking between the welds before painting.

newbury · Oct 31, 2015

Shield Arc said:
Skip welds really help control distortion. Especially if you back step the welds too. Back stepping, and skipping around a lot breaks up the heat line, so a lot less chance of distortion. A lot of things I skip weld, I will use caulking between the welds before painting.

Could you please sum up a lot of your little bits of welding wisdom for us "farmer/hobby" welders and put it in a book I can buy on Amazon?

Shield Arc · Oct 31, 2015

But I'm just a hobby welder myself. I talk a good show is all!

Gary Fowler · Oct 31, 2015

Shield Arc said:
But I'm just a hobby welder myself. I talk a good show is all!

Well that is all still good, you do point out so many things that beginners and many hobby welders don't know about.

ovrszd · Oct 31, 2015

k0ua said:
Thanks, guys. That is an example of some of my best stick welding. I don't show the worst examples of my stick welding

I use a MIG all the time in the shop. Have a Lincoln stick welder at the farm. Welded some 3pt brackets on a blade with the stick the other day. First time I had used it in a couple years. In the beginning I am sure my 10yr old Grand daughter could have done better. Bout time I was done I could actually run a bead worth showing. Soooooo much difference in the use of both.

Yours look great James.

k0ua · Oct 31, 2015

ovrszd said:
I use a MIG all the time in the shop. Have a Lincoln stick welder at the farm. Welded some 3pt brackets on a blade with the stick the other day. First time I had used it in a couple years. In the beginning I am sure my 10yr old Grand daughter could have done better. Bout time I was done I could actually run a bead worth showing. Soooooo much difference in the use of both.

Yours look great James.

Thanks Richard, I have also noticed when I don't weld for a while, my efforts don't look so good. About the time I finish a project I start getting in the groove again.