<font color="blue"> Is that a large nut on top? Is it used to pull a chain through? Where did you get something that large? Does the plate welded in the center of the bucket interfere with anything? </font>
Here's a picture of the nut (also a better(?) view of the welded reinforcement). The nut was my first tractor welding project, about 4 years ago. At the time, I knew nothing of TBN or Tractor Supply Co. I also didn't know that weldable hooks were the standard. My little brain had to think pretty hard to come up with the "nut" idea. I kind of laugh to myself when I look at it now. But it works just fine. It was steel yard scrap at 15 cents a pound. I have a chain with a slip hook on each end and a grab hook a foot or so from one end. I use a slip hook on the nut and take up slack with the grab hook. The flat bar welded in the bucket doesn't seem to interfere with anything.
All the suggestions you've gotten are good ones. If you reinforce the top of your bucket with channel, rod, angle iron, flat bar or...??, I think you'll find your bucket will hold up well.
OkieG
