Bolt size/grade

[Mtsoxfan]

Ok, I made the mistake and bought bucket skis from VEVOR. Installed on bucket as soon as they arrived, 20 minutes of moving snow, the 3/8" bolts and corresponding nut were trash. Bolt bent, spot welds on nut severed. Not brain surgery skimming snow off driveway, so I'm chalking this up to inferior parts. Contacted VEVER, who sends a ton of repetitive responses, bottom line they will give me $20 or replacement. As they are new, bolt system is crap. For $20, I figure I can get a couple of stronger bolts and nuts. My buddy has a real welder, not the buzzbox I have and I'll be asking him to weld.
I'd like to go a size up for bolts/nuts. Any recommendations to size and grade? I'll be adding a second bolt to each ski, so there is less/no wiggling.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

7/16" grade 8 gets you a size bigger and has plenty of strength.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

7/16" grade 8 gets you a size bigger and has plenty of strength.

Thank you.
I think that having a second bolt set up will reduce movement. going to weld a piece of 1/2" rebar to top for leverage when tightening. A knurled knob only gets so tight. Now to find a local place that sells grade 8...

 

[Tinhack]

Most likely due to improper use. The fixing bolt is not meant to take any stress. The bucket needs to be flat on the ground with the skis pushed all the way back. You can't back-drag with these on. You'll leave an inch or more of snow on a flat surface. They are wear items and probably good for one season at best.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Yes, they were as tight to bucket edge as possible. It could have been driver error. They could have bent from poor quality, and pivoting when turning. Hence my plan to add a second bolt.
I actually leave an inch or snow when I was using a blower. packs nice and lessens the chance of digging up driveway.

 

[WranglerX]

VEVERSIUM is the new Chinesium....

 

[ruffdog]

If the skids were mine, I would go right to a 1/2" bolt. Drill (tap drill), tap the skid, then use the bolt to hold the nut in place so you can weld it. The threads would then be through the weldment, and the nut.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

It the skids were mine, I would go right to a 1/2" bolt. Drill (tap drill), tap the skid, then use the bolt to hold the nut in place so you can weld it.

Thank you, great idea...

 

[ruffdog]

If the skids were mine, I would go right to a 1/2" bolt. Drill (tap drill), tap the skid, then use the bolt to hold the nut in place so you can weld it. The threads would then be through the weldment, and the nut.

Thank you, great idea...

...or you could clamp the nut to the piece and weld it, then tap drill/tap through the nut. That way the nut helps guide the tap straight.