Kens Bolt On Hooks

[rjcorazza]

The first addition to my L4060 three years ago was to add (3) bucket hooks from Ken. I can't weld to save my life, so I used the bolt on hooks and left them the original anodized color.
I am somewhat local to Ken's business, so I picked them up and got a tour and explanation of his shop. Impressive quality control (and a nice guy!).


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[Bmyers]

My hooks from Ken should be here tomorrow according to the tracking number. Hope to get them installed over the long holiday weekend.

 

[Creig]

Based on everyone's description of Ken's products and excellent customer service, I added three of his hooks and two clevice mounts to my B7200. Put them to work only minutes after I installed them to lift and move an engine/transmission onto my trailer for a run to the salvage yard. They made for nice, secure chain mounting points.

 

[BobInOK]

I bought hardware store hooks, the one with the pin for a chain. Removed the pin and welded 3 of them to the top of my bucket. Haven't broken or bent one in 10 years of heavy use on a 47 HP tractor. Doesn't have to be pretty to work.

 

[SolbergDave]

My only concern would be bending the upper lip of the bucket with prolonged use. Kubota offers (I think) 3 different buckets, a light material bucket an intermediate one and a heavy duty bucket, which is what I have. The top lip on the HD bucket actually has a pipe section welded across the top and 3 gussets welded from the front bottom to the rear as well as side gussets from the cutting edge up the side. I've put mine through it more than once and it never protests. In fact, I run a double hay spear that affixes to the bucket and no issues at all. She flexes a bit but never bends.

I'm surprised the dealer didn't tell you that. I know when I bought my M9 new, my dealer told me and I got the HD bucket.

I would expect the FEL will quit lifting before any serious defection.

 

[Bmyers]

Ken's Hooks have found a place on my tractor.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Thanks all!

Once again, thanks all!

 

[B737]

I was an idiot, measured wrong, Ken had the correct hooks to me inside of 2 days while I mailed the others back (that I received 4 weeks prior!). Awesome personal support and a great guy to work with.

 

[Kennyd4110]

I was an idiot, measured wrong,

Eh...Sh!t happens

Awesome personal support and a great guy to work with.

Thank you B737

 

[B737]

the man himself!

 

[tiktock]

I was an idiot, measured wrong, Ken had the correct hooks to me inside of 2 days while I mailed the others back (that I received 4 weeks prior!). Awesome personal support and a great guy to work with.

+1 on this my father bought me hooks for Xmas and ordered the wrong ones and Ken was gracious enough to let me ship them back and sent replacements which works flawlessly. One day after installing i tore up a stump with a huge rootball and couldn't scoop it into the bucket or roll it in by hand and the hooks and a chain solved that problem in 20 seconds. I've also used them to pull up a large number of old fence posts that the prior owner cut at ground level and have concrete balls at their base. I screwed a single eyebolt into each one and used a chain with the hooks to just pull them directly up and out of the ground. Prior to that I was driving into them hoping my toothbar would bite enough to curl them out and was having mixed results.

Good stuff!

 

[DaveyBoy]

Hello All, I have a new MX5200 w/the LA1065 (Light Material) bucket. I planned on mounting 3 of Ken’s bolt-on 5/16" chain hooks to it but am considering Clevis mounts also.
This is my first big-boy tractor other than garden tractors so hauling loads of various size, weight, etc is new to me. Any helpful information regarding the Pros & Cons of adding Clevis Mounts and/or chain hooks would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.. Dave

 

[Michael In Tennessee]

Hello All, I have a new MX5200 w/the LA1065 (Light Material) bucket. I planned on mounting 3 of Ken’s bolt-on 5/16" chain hooks to it but am considering Clevis mounts also.
This is my first big-boy tractor other than garden tractors so hauling loads of various size, weight, etc is new to me. Any helpful information regarding the Pros & Cons of adding Clevis Mounts and/or chain hooks would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.. Dave

I reckon it depends on what work you do. For my general cleanup work on my 24 acres, I have found no need for clevis mounts. I have 2 hooks located at the FEL arm positions on my MX bucket.

 

[Kennyd4110]

+1 on this my father bought me hooks for Xmas and ordered the wrong ones and Ken was gracious enough to let me ship them back and sent replacements which works flawlessly. One day after installing i tore up a stump with a huge rootball and couldn't scoop it into the bucket or roll it in by hand and the hooks and a chain solved that problem in 20 seconds. I've also used them to pull up a large number of old fence posts that the prior owner cut at ground level and have concrete balls at their base. I screwed a single eyebolt into each one and used a chain with the hooks to just pull them directly up and out of the ground. Prior to that I was driving into them hoping my toothbar would bite enough to curl them out and was having mixed results.

Good stuff!

Thanks Tiktock

 

[Kennyd4110]

Hello All, I have a new MX5200 w/the LA1065 (Light Material) bucket. I planned on mounting 3 of Ken’s bolt-on 5/16" chain hooks to it but am considering Clevis mounts also.
This is my first big-boy tractor other than garden tractors so hauling loads of various size, weight, etc is new to me. Any helpful information regarding the Pros & Cons of adding Clevis Mounts and/or chain hooks would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.. Dave

Dave, welcome to OTT.

I've answered your emails, hopefully the info was helpful.

The clevis mounts and shackles are nice when/if you use straps, slings, or ropes instead of chains for rigging and lifting, they don't fit well in the grab hooks.

 

[Roadworthy]

One more very satisfied buyer of Ken's hooks here. I measured according to the directions but couldn't BELIEVE my tractor took the tallest hooks he sells. It did, perfect fit. I went to install them and discovered his Kubota drill guide was not in the package. I believe this was on Saturday. I called the number given and spoke with Ken himself who told me the guide would be shipped right out. I was amazed to find it in my mailbox today - Monday. I don't know how THAT happened. I don't usually get good mail service. Bottom line - the hooks are very well constructed and customer service is over the top!! I may add clevis mounts later, I'll have to wait and see if I have a need for them. Dealing with an American company and a "little guy" to boot, getting a top quality product - how can you improve on that?

 

[Kennyd4110]

One more very satisfied buyer of Ken's hooks here. I measured according to the directions but couldn't BELIEVE my tractor took the tallest hooks he sells. It did, perfect fit. I went to install them and discovered his Kubota drill guide was not in the package. I believe this was on Saturday. I called the number given and spoke with Ken himself who told me the guide would be shipped right out. I was amazed to find it in my mailbox today - Monday. I don't know how THAT happened. I don't usually get good mail service. Bottom line - the hooks are very well constructed and customer service is over the top!! I may add clevis mounts later, I'll have to wait and see if I have a need for them. Dealing with an American company and a "little guy" to boot, getting a top quality product - how can you improve on that?

Thanks Roadworthy, it was a pleasure talking with you the other day.

 

[Bmyers]

Hello All, I have a new MX5200 w/the LA1065 (Light Material) bucket. I planned on mounting 3 of Ken’s bolt-on 5/16" chain hooks to it but am considering Clevis mounts also.
This is my first big-boy tractor other than garden tractors so hauling loads of various size, weight, etc is new to me. Any helpful information regarding the Pros & Cons of adding Clevis Mounts and/or chain hooks would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.. Dave

We don't have the clevis mounts, but we do have the hooks and use them a LOT! My dad commented last Saturday this was the best $50 he had spent in a long time.

We have them on his MF 383 and on my Kubota. We use the hooks all the time to drag trees and implements we find buried. They haven't let us down yet.

 

[Raymo853]

What?? Those scratches aren't supposed to be there??

I like you.