more fun with the plasma cutter

[deere_x475guy]

Hi gang....I got these hooks to weld to my bucket....(if they can be welded on that is)

Anyway I needed to modify them. I forgot to take a pic before so I put the pieces back so you could see what I started with.....the plasma cutter sure cam in handy for this....quick and painless..))

[deere_x475guy]

I am starting to get more comfortable using this tool..)

Here is what I was after..

[deere_x475guy]

and here is where I want them to go....along the top edge...one on each side...and one for lighter duty in the middle..

[bluesman2a]

Hey Bob,

The plasma looks good, but I might suggest that you shy away from those plans for the hooks. I deal with a lot of rigging/recovery gear, and I can tell you that if that fails under load and somebody is in the way (like the driver's seat) they're probably gonna die. We'd miss you something fierce around here...

I might suggest another application:


You can generally find them pretty cheap ($5-10 set) at wally-world, or anyplace that deals with trucks and/or carries winches. You could weld them, but I don't trust my skills that far, I'd bolt them at the very minimum.

[CaptNemo]

I agree with Bluesman, NEVER MODIFY RIGGING EQUIPMENT LIKE THAT!!!!

The bolt-on hooks are a good idea, but get the small spring steel clips that keep the rigging from falling out of the hook.

Bad rigging is an accident waiting to happen.

[OneQuartLow]

Bob, the grab hook you're modding are nice for chain use but I'd agree with the others about the hazard. The removed section is an important part of that hook's strength. For that application maybe try a banjo eye?

[dekker]

There are grab hooks designed to be welded onto a surface.

See http://www.awdirect.com/awdirect/fin...fm?itemid=9267

These weldable hooks are also available from http://www.labonville.com (on page 84 in the catalog).

Welded and bolted bucket hooks are a frequent subject of discussion on http://www.tractorbynet.com/ (go into discussions and search).

[deere_x475guy]

Thanks everyone for your replies. These hooks are not going to see the kind of stress that most would. I wanted to be able to wrap it around a longer log and pick it up....for this they will work just fine as I have them.

Bob

[reedfish]

GOOD HOOKS HERE

Deere Guy.

Your hook idea is good and with a good weld it should hold. Take a look at my 10,000 pound hooks bolted with grade 8 bolts sandwiched below and above the loader bucket steel with 1/4 plate welded with 7018AC bolted and welded into the bucket holder's 1/2 plate with 1/4 angle underneath . We discussed this in detail on the Tractorpoint.com site and my hooks installed on my Kubota B2150HST were thought to LOOK and be the best they have seen.