Adding grab hooks on front bucket, 2 or 3 hooks?

[joea99]

About to order some weld on grab hooks for front bucket for B21. 54 inches wide or so.

Was going to put 2 hooks a few inches in from each end, but have seen some with 3, one in middle.

Any real reason to put a middle one in?

 

[bigtiller]

One in the middle is best for heavy loads.

One on each end works good for balancing wide loads or strapping down a gun safe into the bucket.

 

[RjCorazza]

I put 3 hooks on my bucket. 2 outside inline with the loader arms, and 1 in the center.

 

[Rockbadchild]

yes, I would do the same as RjCorazza one on each end and one in the middle... If you want to lift something and keep it stable, you will want to use the two on the side and if you want to pull something then you would use the one in the middle.

 

[WinterDeere]

I did three on mine, as well. Two on ends are used with a 10' loop of 5/16" choker chain for lifting whole logs, or when my approach to something that needs to come from one side or the other. The one in the middle is used for pretty much everything else.

You could run a slack chain between the two side hooks, if you were lacking a middle hook, but it multiplies the side force on the side hooks, by the angle of your dangle.

Don't laugh at my welds, these were done blind with flux core, before I had my MIG set up with proper gas.

 

[stumblinhorse]

The largest wire my mig will run is .035. Is this big enough to do hooks on a bucket? Sorry to hijack the thread…. But I need to do hooks this winter on the new bucket.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I did three on mine, as well. Two on ends are used with a 10' loop of 5/16" choker chain for lifting whole logs, or when my approach to something that needs to come from one side or the other. The one in the middle is used for pretty much everything else.

You could run a slack chain between the two side hooks, if you were lacking a middle hook, but it multiplies the side force on the side hooks, by the angle of your dangle.

Don't laugh at my welds, these were done blind with flux core, before I had my MIG set up with proper gas.

View attachment 767661

Your weld are not bad at all nothing wrong with that.

 

[Rockbadchild]

The largest wire my mig set will run is .035. Is this big enough to do hooks on a bucket? Sorry to hijack the thread…. But I need to do hooks this winter on the new bucket.

I don't see why not, just take you time and make multiple beads

 

[Roadworthy]

I have one on each side in line with the hydraulic rams. At times I do think about adding a third in the center, just never got around to it.

 

[cioti]

I put one on each side and a receiver in the middle. Can use it with a hook or with a ball mount to move trailers.

 

[joea99]

I put one on each side and a receiver in the middle. Can use it with a hook or with a ball mount to move trailers.

You made me realize I'm not thinking clearly today. I need a receiver in the middle anyway, so . . .

 

[joea99]

The largest wire my mig will run is .035. Is this big enough to do hooks on a bucket? Sorry to hijack the thread…. But I need to do hooks this winter on the new bucket.

I've welded 1/4 plate with .035. Amps and wire speed as well as the speed of moving the torch should adjusted for best penetration.

 

[joea99]

Thanks for the replies. I should not post before my 2nd cup. I ordered a weld on receiver to put in the middle just yesterday, so . . .

 

[joea99]

yes, I would do the same as RjCorazza one on each end and one in the middle... If you want to lift something and keep it stable, you will want to use the two on the side and if you want to pull something then you would use the one in the middle.

Aha! Saves me the trouble of looking dumber than I already proved. I was gonna ask how to best use the three. Now no one needs to know I did not know . . . oh, wait.

 

[mike69440]

About to order some weld on grab hooks for front bucket for B21. 54 inches wide or so.

Was going to put 2 hooks a few inches in from each end, but have seen some with 3, one in middle.

Any real reason to put a middle one in?

3 hooks, one in middle hook facing up and two on top leading edge facing toward tractor

 

[joea99]

3 hooks, one in middle hook facing up and two on top leading edge facing toward tractor

"leading edge"? Open or closed end? Everyone I've seen has the open end of the hook facing back toward the operator.

 

[WranglerX]

Something a bit different...

 

[stumblinhorse]

I've welded 1/4 plate with .035. Amps and wire speed as well as the speed of moving the torch should adjusted for best penetration.

What would you consider a hook? When setting the welder For thickness? 1/4“ for a 3/8” hook?

 

[joea99]

What would you consider a hook? When setting the welder For thickness? 1/4“ for a 3/8” hook?

No idea yet. Have to measure the thickness and go from there.

The ones I ordered do not show the thickness. None of the ads did. They are all beveled at the weld edge so, I guess I'll start low and check penetration. Gotta tack it in place anyway, so I'd use that as a hint.

Gotta consider the thickness of what you're welding it onto as well. Don't want to blow through it and make more work.

 

[RoyJackson]

I put 3 hooks on my bucket. 2 outside in line with the loader arms, and 1 in the center.

Same here...but in my case, I use the center hook for light stuff and the outer hooks used for heavier or unwieldy loads. Using the out hooks spreads the load