Loader Using loader with chains, etc

[HiTechTed]

I've seen a few posts here where guys mention welding chain hooks to their buckets to lift things with. What I'm seeing in my L3400 manual says to -never- use chains around the bucket. I've seen where guys say they can even push fence posts in with their FEL. I'm all for using this tractor to it's fullest extent, but I would rather not die or injure myself or the tractor in the process.

Why does the manual say NOT to do these things? Is it just a safety thing so that dumb people don't try lifting overly-large objects with a chain and end up tipping the tractor over? Is it because the load can swing? Or is the L3400 just not beefy enough to do these things? I get the impression that it IS powerful enough, but maybe I'm missing something here.

What is the best (and hopefully safest) way to pull fence posts with your tractor?

 

[nybirdman]

To pull fench post,maybe three point hitch(chain around draw bar)?Lots more lift power and closer to the pick.

 

[KubieTwo]

Why does the manual say NOT to do these things? Is it just a safety thing so that dumb people don't try lifting overly-large objects with a chain and end up tipping the tractor over? Is it because the load can swing? Or is the L3400 just not beefy enough to do these things? I get the impression that it IS powerful enough, but maybe I'm missing something here.

What is the best (and hopefully safest) way to pull fence posts with your tractor?

1) IMHO common sense seems to be a rare commodity these days. Read these forums very much and you may agree. Legions will disagree...yet...You have covered some examples above that many with tractors would head straight to with no comprehension of where to draw the line, then break themselves or their tractors in short order. As such, most corporations have had to learn to cover themselves with excess statements of caution. The same ones who can't figure out what dumb is are also the first to sue when they are overcome by it. That said, I have hooks on the buckets of both a B7510 and a GL5030. I use them extensively, and I have never had a problem because I have some idea of limitations of both tractors. Over many years, I have also operated equipment uneventfully for thousands of hours which had none of the safety equipment included on tractors, mowers, chain saws, etc manufactured today. I respect all these things as things which can kill me, and make decisions accordingly. Not all seem to be able to do that, for whatever reason.

Some people still manage to kill themselves with even the newest equipment, with every safety device they can be added, so manufacturers can only do so much to protect certain people from themselves. I have stated before that many people should not own equipment and should pay someone to perform the tasks that would require machinery beyond their skill levels to understand and operate. Enough said.

2) The easiest way to pull fence posts is to tie a chain low on the post, then run the chain over a car or truck wheel (as in rim only), then attach the chain to the tractor drawbar. As you move forward the chain will LIFT the post from the ground. With these simple instructions, some would likely not understand how to make this work. They should hire someone to pull their posts.

I am not trying to be smart but wanted to answer your question honestly from my perspective. You had already headed in that direction anyway. Hope this is helpful.

 

[2458n]

Chains are handy to have. The problems are as you mentioned. People will panic when they find themselves in a tipping condition. This can be the result of to large of a load, or a load that swings to oneside causing the tractor tip. Turning to sharply will also change the balance of your tractor. When using chains make sure the weight hangs in the center of the bucket. Go slow when trying new things. I have used the FEL to push in fenceposts and I've also bent the the bucket doing this.

 

[memman]

I too have an L3400 and want to weld on hooks to the bucket. Does anyone have advice on what supports need to be welded on to the bucket to strengthen before welding on the hooks?

 

[Gem99ultra]

I too have an L3400 and want to weld on hooks to the bucket. Does anyone have advice on what supports need to be welded on to the bucket to strengthen before welding on the hooks?

I added a 3/8" x 2" flat stock welded to the top of my L3400 bucket, then welded 3 pelican hooks to that; 1 in the center and 1 to each side in direct line with the lift arms.

 

[Dargo]

I added a 3/8" x 2" flat stock welded to the top of my L3400 bucket, then welded 3 pelican hooks to that; 1 in the center and 1 to each side in direct line with the lift arms.

I've welded and operated tractors both for about 30 years and I'll completely agree with the quoted post.

 

[TripleR]

Being new to tractor can be intimidating especially with all of the warnings. I would try to find a friend who is an experienced operator and work with him/her to learn the proper way to safely accomplish your tasks.

The best advice I can give is go slow until you get comfortable with your tractor and equipment especially your FEL. I have been using them for years and am still not as good as I would like.

We use chains and hooks on most of our tractors. I agree with Gem99 and Dargo on reinforcing. We got too busy to do this on our M8540 and bent the top center hook. My L5030 has the HD bucket.

Unless it is a T-post, I don't use a FEL to pull posts. I use a chain and drawbar on my 3-point.

 

[Reg]

Well,,,,
How many MORE ways do we need to get hurt ? (-:

I have a habit of using the FEL to pick up implements and put them on the truck's bed.
It was my INTENTION to do this with pallet forks.
Heck, it was my INTENTION to keep every implement ON a pallet - but I don't.
So I find myself running a chain around a top link pin and hoisting it up however far I need to get clearance over about a 4ft high truck flat.
If I don't get the bucket center hook very close to the top link pin there can be a LOT of height to the bucket's hook and of course THAT means instability.
It is a heavy pendulum, it is all too easy to get it's line of force outside the tractor's front track - geometry 101 - and it wouldn't come down quickly enough in an emergency.
A swinging ~900 lb implement 8 or 9ft off the ground is a SERIOUS hazard to stability.
I know, I could/should just lift it and back the truck under - I don't.

What else ?
I already posted about the dumb trick of trying to pull shrubs out with a chain on the FEL bucket, OK if it comes out easily, say if a hoe or harley rake is on the back and the tires are loaded.
Scary if the rear lifts up.
DUMB to try and back up in 4WD at the same time as trying to lift in an attempt to "tear" it out (-:

I guess chain on a FEL just offers too many "Opportunities" for damage/injury/death.
I admit to doing some of them, I generally have an emergency plan in mind and try to stay conscious of the risks involved - but we are mere mortals.

 

[sixdogs]

You know, I was reading a toothpaste tube a few months back and it said to be careful not to swallow any. Huh, it's toothpaste.
Are Americans that stupid?

Weld hooks on to some plate steel and then weld that to the bucket as others have stated. Case closed.

 

[Leejohn]

I'm missing it I guess. He said his manual is saying (What I'm seeing in my L3400 manual says to "-never- use chains around the bucket.") I can see that!! Hooks I would use.

 

[Johnbro]

By all means put some chain hooks on your bucket and use chain to lift things. One of the nice things about an FEL is it can pick up heavy stuff.

But be very careful. Just like picking up a bucket load of rock or sand, you can make the tractor front-heavy and have it tip. Hanging something from the bucket, it will swing, and it can swing right into the front of the tractor, doing some serious damage. Particularly once the tractor starts moving the pendulum gets moving as well. Lowering a swinging load will arrest its movement, keeping it close to the ground and driving REAL SLOW is helpful as well.

Occasionally I've picked up something heavy with chains on the FEL, raised it really high to clear the sides of a PU bed, and lowered it in. I rarely do it because it's so unstable and I have to get the tractor so close to the side of the PU I'm always afraid I will slam into it.

 

[some zilch]

i have never found a reason to weld chain hooks to my bucket. why not just take the bucket off, loose the weight of the bucket, and lift off the end of the loader arms? you increase your lift capacity, and move the lift point back at least a few inches. doesnt anybody use forks for anything?

 

[Chilly807]

We use ours for pulling posts all the time. I have a hook welded to the bucket heel on the centerline, and two more on the outer edges of the bucket top lip. If using the top hooks, the load must be securely suspended by two chains, with roughly equal weight on each. If it isn't, you run the risk of either twisting the loader or flipping the tractor. Seriously.

The lower hook is what we usually use for pulling old posts. Keep the bucket as low as you can, and pull slowly. If the tractor won't pull it, you'll know soon enough.

As for driving posts with the bucket, we do that as well. Try to drive with the center of the bucket, as close to the heel as you can. You'll bend the bucket otherwise. It works with pre-existing holes, or in soft ground. The 3400 just isn't heavy enough to drive them in hard, dry ground. Not many tractors are, for that matter. We use a PHD for 90% of our posts, it IS the right tool for that job.

Sean

 

[crazyal]

The way I read it is do not wrap chains around the bucket as in if you put the chain in a pinch point you could damage the loader or the chain, maybe even cutting it and dropping your load.

If you want to lift with a chain weld some hooks to your bucket.

 

[memman]

I added a 3/8" x 2" flat stock welded to the top of my L3400 bucket, then welded 3 pelican hooks to that; 1 in the center and 1 to each side in direct line with the lift arms.

Thanks for the input hows to beef up the bucket for hooks. I've read a lot on this site about it, but hadn't read anything specific to the L3400.

 

[Reg]

I've seen a few posts here where guys mention welding chain hooks to their buckets to lift things with. What I'm seeing in my L3400 manual says to -never- use chains around the bucket. I've seen where guys say they can even push fence posts in with their FEL. I'm all for using this tractor to it's fullest extent, but I would rather not die or injure myself or the tractor in the process.

Why does the manual say NOT to do these things? Is it just a safety thing so that dumb people don't try lifting overly-large objects with a chain and end up tipping the tractor over? Is it because the load can swing? Or is the L3400 just not beefy enough to do these things? I get the impression that it IS powerful enough, but maybe I'm missing something here.

What is the best (and hopefully safest) way to pull fence posts with your tractor?

I can see the "to -never- use chains around the bucket" warning, emphasis AROUND !
A load chained AROUND a bucket could easily slip to one side very quickly, quite possibly a BIG and SUDDEN problem when the chain stops at one side.

I already commented on using chain hooks - it is a marginal practice and I think the biggest danger in that is swinging to the side, resulting in a rollover.
Grille scratches ? Yeah; I don't worry too much about those, they're tractors, they get dirty, they have scratches.
Mine have grille guards anyway, so it isn't as if a radiator is going to get stoved in.

 

[sixdogs]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/120967-how-i-attached-hooks-bucket.html

Here's an old post with a photo of how I attached hooks to my bucket using plate steel for backing. This seeems to work the best from what I have seen.
This is on a 75HP tractor that I lift very heavy things with and never a problem.
One hook on each side lined up with each loader cylinder.

I then hook a chain between the hooks welded to the bucket. For a lift chain I have a three or four ft. piece of chain with one hook and one slip clevis on it. I hook the grab clevis to the center of my connecting chain and everything balances. I use 5/16 grade 70 chain and USA made clevisis whenever possible. And I use the whole clevis to weld to the the bucket, rather than a stub because it's easier to hook a small rarchet strap to for lightweight bulky items like plastic barrels and such.

Hope it helps.

 

[teg]

I'm glad I didn't put on chain hooks... when I bought them 5 years ago. I finally mounted them on a bolt-on grapple!!! You have to give it a bit more support then what the top of the bucket has "stock". Granted this is a bit extreme just for a place to mount hooks...

 

[easygo]

Thanks for the input hows to beef up the bucket for hooks. I've read a lot on this site about it, but hadn't read anything specific to the L3400.

This is what I did on my bucket. I believe that the top of the LA463 bucket is a similar arrangement.
Keep in mind this is just one of many possible ways of doing this. I welded the hooks to a 4"x6"x1/4" plate. I welded a piece of 1.5"x7"x1/4" flat stock to the bucket to strengthen the top and then welded the 4x6 plate on there. It looks nice and shiny because I just painted it yesterday.
Just search this site and you will find many more options.