Bucket Hooks Hooks on buckets

[MChalkley]

Re: please describe hooks

TomG - Thanks! I'm sorry for the trouble, but I'd really appreciate it.

Mark

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: please describe hooks

I have two chain hooks welded to the bucket on my B 2400. The hooks are mounted at each side of the top of the bucket, with the openings facing toward the driver's seat.

To use a chain to lift an object, I roll the bucket all the way forward (as if dumping the load) and then lower the bucket as far toward the load as I can. After attaching the chains, I can lift the bucket while at the same time rolling it back. This way I can keep the load from swinging into the radiator.

I also use this rig to drag logs and brush, because I can roll the bucket under the fronts of the logs after lifting. I then just drive backwards to the destination. I find this to be much safer than trying to drag loads from the rear of the tractor.

The other great feature of this rig is that when moving light but large items (for instance trash barrels or work boxes) I can use a short rope to run from one hook around the front of the load and back to the other hook. This keeps things from bouncing out of the bucket.

 

[TomG]

Re: please describe hooks

Here's the hook pic, which I degraded a bit so a download shouldn't take too long. No trouble really. I did the most of it while waiting for my wife. I guess that her attitude would be that it was my turn to wait.

The safety chain seems to be a standard item at a local ARCO dealer for towing ag equipment and is rated for 10,000 lbs. I secure the other end with a clevis through the ring. It is a small aggravation getting a link past the bale, but once in, it sure doesn't come back out.

 

[Bird]

Re: please describe hooks

I don't believe I've ever seen a hook quite like that one, Tom, but my slip hook on my choker cable has a slightly similar safety bail (or is it bale?) so the cable can't come loose.

Bird

 

[RobertN]

I saw this on atis.net, trailering FAQ. Thought it might be useful here...

Tie it down. Nylon ratchet straps are out. You need good 3/8" chain with hooks On the rear put a clevis thur the drawbar (not the 3pt)

This is a good point to make. I like this idea better than wrapping the chain through the draw bar mount.

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[MChalkley]

Re: please describe hooks

TomG - Thanks for the pic! I've never seen those before, nor anything remotely similar, that I can remember. Now, that you've put your foot in it, you've got to wipe it off: Can you tell me how much they run and if you know of anyone who carries them that would be willing to take a phone order and ship them? I'd like to get a couple of them at least, for tow chains.

Mark

 

[MChalkley]

RobertN - Good points. I used a shackle (clevis, shackle, whatever) on the drawbar for years. Lately I've taken to using a grab link because, even if the chain loosens, the tractor can't slide sideways (more than the slack in the chain anyway. It's a fine point, and probably not worth worrying about, but if you're obsessive, you might want to. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Also, here's something else I've seen a lot of people make a big mistake on: hooking the chains to the trailer. If you hook them to the bottom of something, and the chain loosens, it'll fall completely off. If you wrap it around or run it through, drop the hook down from on top, gravity will hold it there, even if the chain loosens, and the tractor can never move more than the slack will allow.

Mark

 

[TomG]

Re: please describe hooks

I don't remember the chains as exactly cheap. I got them from an ARCO dealer. It's too early to call up the dealer (Elliott Farm Equipment; Pembroke, Ontario: http://www.agdealer.com/elliott/). I will give them a call to see if they do a mail order business, or maybe identify their supplier and find out the cost.

I find the hooks are pretty useful. However, I wonder if the reason you haven't seen them is that the bail (thanks Bird) may not pass some sort of U.S. standards.

 

[MChalkley]

Re: please describe hooks

TomG - Thanks for checking for me. I think you may be right about the U.S. Standards thing. But, it couldn't be any less useful, practical, or durable than the cheesy Chinese-made tin ones you see around here. I've never seen one of them last longer than an hour or two of use.

Mark

 

[TomG]

Re: please describe hooks

My 5/16th chains are about 6' and cost around $40Can.

The dealer said that the supplier of the hooks is a Montreal company. The dealer usually makes up the safety chains, because the ready-mades are too short for many wagons. The dealer also said it isn't their usual business, but they do ship to the U.S. sometimes.