Welding hooks to front end loader bucket

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I want to weld a hook to the center of my front end loader bucket for a chain.Not sure what kind of steel these hooks are made of.Seems like I read somewhere that these hooks should be pre heated before welding,Could someone confirm this?And how hot do I want them to be?ThanksJohn
Reply:You can buy proper weldable hooks http://tinyurl.com/yj7flnj . Here's some cheaper  grab hooks http://tinyurl.com/yabdf7g . Saying that, I have welded conventional hooks to buckets but the way safety is now, I wouldn't consider it......Mike
Reply:The last few I've done weren't even hooks.  D-ring tie downs.  The 11k ones that bolt on.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Thanks for the link, I already have the hooks I'm going to use, I want to weld them to 1/4 or 3/8 plate, then weld the plate to the top of the bucket.I don't want them to rip out.Last edited by John R; 02-05-2010 at 05:25 AM.John
Reply:I've welded hooks to the top of the buckets, I put a 1/4" plate first to reinforce the top then welded the hooks to the plate. 7018 all the way,and never had a problem.
Reply:Even if they are plain old MS, preheating won't hurt them at all...it can only help. I always heat hooks before they go down. Just get yourself a 350° or 400° temp stick...heat it to the stick temp and weld away. I have put lots on that way and have yet to have one break.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:One thing I've noticed about hooks on buckets, is than often there really isn't enough support where they get mounted. The is especially true with smaller homeowner/ contractor machines. Often the top of the bucket is just rfolded sheet. You will need more than just a small plate to reinforce one of these. You pretty much have to beef up the whole top with heavy tube or angle, or you will F' up the bucket if you run close to max lift frequently..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I pick the hooks that fit the chain I'm using. Not the general hook class. I carry a short chain in the tractor, longer at the barn (3/8 hardened). You can't cut chain with bolt cutters. Next weld the hooks where the hyd rams are attached, the strongest place on the bucked. Sometimes you have one ram, you get one hook. I like the hooks the color of the tractor. You should have to roll bucket to use hooks.My 2 centsHome Owner VernLast edited by Vern2; 02-05-2010 at 12:25 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by John RI want to weld a hook to the center of my front end loader bucket for a chain.Not sure what kind of steel these hooks are made of.Seems like I read somewhere that these hooks should be pre heated before welding,Could someone confirm this?And how hot do I want them to be?Thanks
Reply:I've welded many a piece of 1" mild steel onto loader buckets using 7018 stringers. I've recently got into the habit of beveling the bottoms for better penetration. It's good enough to sling 21" sticks of schedule 40 14" pipe all day long. One thing you might pay attention to is to make sure the position of the steel doesn't interfere with the bucket travel (painful lesson was learned that day)Last edited by regularfella; 02-05-2010 at 03:06 PM.
Reply:hi, i welded my hooks to 3/8 plate with holes drilled to bolt to bucket. I made a matting drilled plate to bolt to the hook plate which will have the bucke steel sandwiched between the two plates. You may consider placing hooks at bucket ends too depending on the width.