[markct]

while we are on the subject of bucket hooks i thought i would bring this up, on an osha or msha regulated jobsite regular bucket hooks are a no no. thats why if you look at most new construction equipment from a large contractor you will see that the only type you will see is either the big weld on latch type ones, also known as ackerman type hooks to some, or a ring that you can put a shackle or latching hook thru. altho what a lot of times is done is that someone just puts a clevis and a hook thru the ring so that they have the convenience of a hook, but of course this is not the approved way. now of course none of this applies to most of us, including myself except when im at work of course, but just a point i thought i would mention. on my gradall excavator i have a short length of heavy chain that attaches with a clevis to the bucket pivot pin which is the approved lift point on that machine according to the manual and then at the end has a latchlock type hook. it works very well and is no only safe but also convenient that it cant come unhooked untill you push the release button. now before someon brings it up, yes i am in violation of osha msha stuff cause i do not own a single grade 80 chain!