My old tractor had a chain grab hook welded atop the customized loader bucket, which I used quite a bit for skidding logs of trailers, lifting logs with tongs, etc. I’d like to install the same (maybe three of ‘em) on my new bucket, similar to this image I found online:
But the construction of this 61” heavy-duty bucket is a little strange to me. Deere seems to make their “HD” buckets by taking their standard flimsy buckets and welding an extra 1/8” plate under the top lip, to form a hollow channel across the top. Here’s some photos:
There doesn’t appear to be any evidence of any webbing or internal structure, it’s just a hollow channel formed by two 1/8” plates. So, if I were to use a bolt-on like shown in the stock image above, I think I’d just end up crushing or distorting the relatively thin 1/8” steel. Similarly, if I welded the hook directly to the top of the bucket, I think I’d bend the bucket under heavy use.
I’m thinking I could weld the hook to a plate, maybe 4” square x 1/4”, and weld that to the bucket. This should add substantial strength, lessening acute the force applied by the narrow foot of a weld-on grab hook to the thin steel of the bucket. The other option I considered is just welding it to the nice 1/4” thick tab at the top of the quick-attach part of the bucket:
Thoughts? Experiences? Opinions?
I’ve seen a lot of bolt-on options, and I’d be interested to hear from anyone who’s used one on a Deere HD bucket, but most I see are attached to their single-wall standard-duty buckets.
But the construction of this 61” heavy-duty bucket is a little strange to me. Deere seems to make their “HD” buckets by taking their standard flimsy buckets and welding an extra 1/8” plate under the top lip, to form a hollow channel across the top. Here’s some photos:
There doesn’t appear to be any evidence of any webbing or internal structure, it’s just a hollow channel formed by two 1/8” plates. So, if I were to use a bolt-on like shown in the stock image above, I think I’d just end up crushing or distorting the relatively thin 1/8” steel. Similarly, if I welded the hook directly to the top of the bucket, I think I’d bend the bucket under heavy use.
I’m thinking I could weld the hook to a plate, maybe 4” square x 1/4”, and weld that to the bucket. This should add substantial strength, lessening acute the force applied by the narrow foot of a weld-on grab hook to the thin steel of the bucket. The other option I considered is just welding it to the nice 1/4” thick tab at the top of the quick-attach part of the bucket:
Thoughts? Experiences? Opinions?
I’ve seen a lot of bolt-on options, and I’d be interested to hear from anyone who’s used one on a Deere HD bucket, but most I see are attached to their single-wall standard-duty buckets.
