DIY bucket hooks features tap-on tap-off convenience (Shown on a Kubota BX)

[tractorgp]

Here's a pretty easy build it yourself project. Made these today and they work fine.

 

[kennyd]

Well that's interesting!
But 1/4" grade 30 chain and hooks are only rated for 1,300 pounds, so you only have about a 2:1 safety margin.

 

[tractorgp]

Well that's interesting!
But 1/4" grade 30 chain and hooks are only rated for 1,300 pounds, so you only have about a 2:1 safety margin.

Yup that seems about right.

 

[tractorgp]

Yup that seems about right.

I should have mentioned that the heavier 5/16 inch grab hooks also lock on solid to the (BX) bucket so that allows for more loading.

 

[oosik]

Interesting way to get hooks on a bucket. I'll have to check and see if my "upper lip" on my bucket can work in that manner. Nice video.

 

[GLyford]

Even if you have bolt on hooks, make up a couple of those for making chain "baskets" etc. to hold awkward items. Moved a couple of shoulder high spruce trees, and they made a big difference in being able to get the chain around the root ball.

 

[Reb954]

My bucket doesn't have a top lip like the one in the video. It seems to me that top lip would bend with much weight on it.

I prefer the slotted angle iron like I put on mine. It gives multiple slots for the chain and strengthens the top of the bucket.

 

[tractorgp]

OP here. Just took a close look at my own video and noticed a fairly significant incorrect labelling on the grab hooks shown in the video. At :22 in the video the label on the hook says "1/4" Grade 30 Grab Hook w/latch".

But the hooks don't have latches and "G70" is clearly cast in the hook itself. Misleading for those not familiar with hooks.

 

[chim]

As far as convenience, I prefer to have something already there and not needing to hammer them on and off. I started using heavy angle with slots back around '02 or so with the first Kubota. The chains can be used either in front of the bucket or behind it. Having slots distributed on the bucket allow flexibility for different load connections.

I can set and unhook a load by lowering it to get all the pressure off the chain, then dump the bucket all the way, lower it as far as possible and back away from the load. The chains stay in the slots until I make them come out. Extra chain not needed for loads can be dropped into the bucket or tossed into the remaining unused slots.

The fourth picture shows the load binder adapted to hold the forks on the bucket. The slots accept 3/8" and smaller chain. Strength has never been an issue The picture on the right is from a few years ago when the Ford had a broken wire and wouldn't start. It was easier to pick the front end up and play "wheelbarrow" using the L3200 to bring the Ford to the tools

 

[Xfaxman]

Plus 1 on slots for chain. :thumbsup:

I put 2 slots in the bottom channel iron frame about 34 years ago, when I built the fork frame for a loader on a Sears garden tractor.

It fit on the TORO+Loader when I created it in June 2005:

Added the outside angle to make it work better on the TORO+Loader:

Put 4 chain slots in the brush fork frame when I built it 12 years ago:

 

[ruffdog]

Ken has some nice bolt on hooks that come with a riser to get above the flimsy bucket edge.

 

[chim]

Ken has some nice bolt on hooks that come with a riser to get above the flimsy bucket edge.

My BIL bought some of Ken's hooks and they are top quality.

 

[Fallon]

My BIL bought some of Ken's hooks and they are top quality.

I was happy with mine for my old L3200. They installed & worked well. The main reason I havent put them on my new L4060 is pallet forks. If I need to lift something or do something with chain, I put my forks on (or they are already in as I use them more than my bucket). There are plenty of bars to hook chain or slip hooks to on the fork frame.

 

[WranglerX]

This is what I did...Thought long and hard about adding "bolt on hooks" and just could not seem to make that purchase...

Materials are 2 x 2 x 1/4 steel angle and all bolting materials are 1/2 inch Grade 8... Slots were drilled 5/16 about 1/2 inch from edge of angel (targets for saw work) and hacksaw was employed to cut slots... Angles were also heated and curved over a bit for for better chain retention (I hope)...

Center "eye" is two pieces of angle welded back to back to form inverted "T" and drilled 11/16 for 1/2 inch shackle... Funny part is 1/2 inch shackle has 5/8 pin...




Since bucket materials is actually thinner than brackets I have no fears in brackets failing, my only concern will be not bending bucket lip....

And if you were wondering spring clip holds tarp in place when tractor parked...

Dale