Bucket Hooks What orientation and position of Chain hooks?

[Therios Pendragon]

So just one more to the long list of things I wish that I would have known before putting together my tractor package...

I need chain hooks on my FEL... And naturally I over analyze everything to the point that I can't understand anything about it anymore... so here is my concerns:

Position side to side: Where exactly whould they be from the side of the bucket?

Position up and down: How far from the open end of the bucket?

J up or J down: I am not sure that I understand how they are used other than to capture a link. I have little room between the rear of the bucket and the front of the tractor... I am wondering if the chains hang on the back of the bucket (thus J up) won't this encroach upon that small space to the tractor front? Or do you mount them J down and rotat the bucket way forward to make the J now UP with the bucket dumped?

Position up or down on the bucket: So the above figured out; Where reletive the the open side and the bottom surface would I mount them?

Thanks for any insight.

 

[whistlepig]

So just one more to the long list of things I wish that I would have known before putting together my tractor package...

I need chain hooks on my FEL... And naturally I over analyze everything to the point that I can't understand anything about it anymore... so here is my concerns:

Position side to side: Where exactly whould they be from the side of the bucket?

Position up and down: How far from the open end of the bucket?

J up or J down: I am not sure that I understand how they are used other than to capture a link. I have little room between the rear of the bucket and the front of the tractor... I am wondering if the chains hang on the back of the bucket (thus J up) won't this encroach upon that small space to the tractor front? Or do you mount them J down and rotat the bucket way forward to make the J now UP with the bucket dumped?

Position up or down on the bucket: So the above figured out; Where reletive the the open side and the bottom surface would I mount them?

Thanks for any insight.

I would put two on top of the bucket. They would not be handy in any other place other than the top of the bucket. In line with your curl cylinders so as not to strain the cylinders. Also close to the formed edge at the top of the bucket. Closest to the strongest point of the metal in your bucket. On curl your bucket has enough strength to wreck itself.

 

[dirt ditch]

Use the forum search feature on this website. Highlight Attachments and Customization then search for bucket hooks. You will find all the info you are looking for.

 

[herringchoker]

Here's how I did mine, based on research here on TBN and on previous experience with larger tractors. Frist, I reinforced the bucket edge with steel angle then I welded 2 grab hooks (one on each side of the bucket) and a slip hook in the centre of the bucket, all with J up so to lift over the front of the bucket. The 2 outside hooks allow 2-chain lifts (see photo), while the centre hook allows single chain lifts without tending to twist the loader or have dangerously offset loads. Why a slip hook in the centre....recommended by some TBNers, allows a little more flexibility (run the single chain through the slip hook and secure it in a grab hook on either side). Why the outer hooks at the bucket edge and not in line with the cylinders...just me, I guess...I figure the bucket has more strength there and it also allows more width for the 2-chain lifts.
Someone here on TBN added a hook to the centre of the back of the bucket for close-in lifts (more lift capacity). I like that idea and plan on doing that too.
Anyway, that's my take on it. Good luck!

BTW, I like your avatar.

 

[wolc123]

I keep a couple hooks with bolts in my toolbox. My tractor has a heavy duty bucket with 7/16 " holes across the bottom for mounting a toothbar. I simply bolt the hooks into a couple of these holes when I need them, hand tight. Has worked great so far. It is nice having the hooks down on the bottom edge of the bucket as you get the full curl lift that you would not get with hooks on top. I also drilled a couple more holes towards the back of the bucket in line with the holes that are lined up with the loader arms. When, on occassion I need forks, I just bolt a couple pieces of angle iron to these holes, again it works great and no expense for a seperate fork attachment.

 

[cowboy357]

I just have one in the center of my bucket much like herringchoker . I,ve never had the need for more so far .

Yesterday I loaded a 3/4 full , 500 gallon propane tank on a trailer. I had the bucket about half curled down with the bucket edge against the tank & the chain hooked to the 2 hooks welded on top of the tank so Most of the weight would be closest to the front of the tractor .

It worked great & I was able to pick the heavy tank up enough to clear the trailer fenders & one foot side boards . If My hook would had been any closer even a few inches to the front of the bucket it would have made it to front heavy & Dangerous to lift that high . I was a bit nervous as it was , Because I just had My boxblade on the rear which is not much of a counter weight .

No way would I have attemted moving the tractor to the trailer with that much weight that high off of the ground , But worked out fine as I had the guy back under the tank to load it. I was also on a uphill grade as to shift the weight more to the rear of the tractor . But I was sweating bullets the whole time . I have no Idea how much weight I was dealing with but it was all My tractor could handle.

My Forklift picked a very bad time to Breakdown & I had to get it loaded . But it wasn,t one of My smartest ideas .. Bob

 

[20 20]

I also did mine much like Herringchoker except that I have 5 instead of 3. 2 on each outside edge and 1 in the center. I like having the 2 on the outside edge easy for quick hooking logs and such. The center 1 doesn't get used all that much but it is still nice to have. I like keeping the weight even and as close to the arms as posssible. I also reinforced the top where the hoks are welded on. I took a piece of 2" angle iron and mounted it so that the V part faced up then I mounted the hooks to that. This helps keeps the chains hooked{gravity} so they don't fall off the back.

 

[Therios Pendragon]

Thanks for all the responses... Helped to put it all together.