Go BottomI bent my LA-302 Loader
 | roaf3x
Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 56 CT 
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2006-09-28 135535
I had a center hook weled to my tractor on the top lip of the bucket. I was cutting trees today and had a chain hooked to the center and the other end to the log. I watched as the curve formed in the lip on top of the bucket. The B7510 is much stronger than the metal in the loader.
I want to make this bucket bullet proof. What do I need to do to be able to pull with a center hook on this bucket. Has anyone found a good mod that can be welded on?
My tractor has 32 hours on it. I was hoping to wait to break it in until it was 10 years old.
Please send pictures, thoughts, or condolences.
Thanks !!!
Roy
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
 | earthwrks
Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 3853 Home Office in Flat Rock, Michigan 
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2006-09-28 135544
My experience is (smiling but being serious)it's designed that way just so guys like you don't do things that.
The bucket bending is the equivalent of the "low engine oil" light coming on (didn't want to say "idiot light" LOL)
Why? So that someone doesn't pick up a load that could change the center of gravity and overturn the machine without notice. I've come close to overturning both my big skid steer and the backhoe by picking up something very heavy too high. Once it starts to go over, not much you can do, except lower the loader---quickly! And change your underwear.
(The high cost of) Product liability insurance likely drives the design too, because a good PL lawyer could argue that the since the top of the bucket IS so strong that it lent itself to be welded to, and thus the mfg. created and encouraged the situation which lead to your demise. So the lawyers and the bean-counters want to make sure you (or your next-of-kin) keep driving their 'botas and not a Rolls with a personalized license plate that reads "3M-JDGMNT". ....
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
 | Art White
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 6898 Waterville New York
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2006-09-29 135555
Roy, I stay away from center hooks unless a piece of pipe is run from side to side or additional support is added under the lip to reinforce it. Then I'd fasten the hook to that steel. ....
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
 | DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2006-09-29 135556
Not everyone agrees with my take on this problem.... but I have bent buckets too.
Some folks have had good luck by welding gussets to the bucket lips but I don't weld.
So I bolted a 1/2 inch thick slab of steel to the back of the bucket and put a receiver hitch on it.
Have a look at my pics for details. ....
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-09-29 135559
My thinking is it's more of a design limit, a bucket is designed to cary a loose spread out load, and does so well.
In order to take a concentrated load in a very limited area of the light steel, it needs to be reinforced, as has already been mentioned. Just about anything strong enough to take the load will work.
I chose a different route and instead of putting hooks on my bucket, made a utility frame (including a receiver hitch and removable forks) that goes on in place of the bucket for most chore work. For most of the stuff I do, like tree work, a set of forks is more usefull than a bucket anyways. You can see my solution in my picture # 18.
Best of luck. ....
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
| DRankin
Join Date: Jan 2000 Posts: 5116 Northern Nevada
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2006-09-29 135560
A nice option too, especially if you have a quick detach option for your bucket. ....
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Add PhotoI bent my LA-302 Loader
| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2006-09-29 135562
A quick detatch like the one I made, is available for most.
It is a weekend project for anyone who can weld, a few hundred bucks to a local welder if you can't.
Best of luck. ....
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