Warranty void by adding hooks on FEL?

[Baby Grand]

All this talk about adding hooks to the FEL has me itching to do the same... Does anyone have any website recommendations for where to buy these hooks. I have looked at the local Tractor Supply and Hardware store, but have not found any...

I bought my bolt-on hooks at Tractor Supply. They have been trouble free and are very sturdy. At the time I didn't have a welding machine, so this was the quick and easy way to get what I needed. It also showed me that I was in sore need of a new, heavy duty 1/2" hand drill. In the near future I will be adding a hook right in the middle of the back of the bucket, turned opposite to the other 2, for single point lifting. Now that I have a welding machine, my plan is to use a weld-on grab hook for that one.



-Jim

 

[dex3361]

All this talk about adding hooks to the FEL has me itching to do the same... Does anyone have any website recommendations for where to buy these hooks. I have looked at the local Tractor Supply and Hardware store, but have not found any...

Here is a site for hooks.
AWS DIRECT
Make sure to preheat the hooks before welding.

 

[yooper1]

My NH Dealer had the weld on hooks in stock.

It may be possible that any implement dealer near you might have them.

Remember, you can put 5/6 chain into a 3/8 inch weld hook, but hard to put the 3/8 chain into a 5/16 weld hook

 

[jmc]

I bought my bolt-on hooks at Tractor Supply.
View attachment 182822

-Jim

Jim,

I hope you have backing plates inside the bucket under those hooks. I bolted those type hooks on my first tractor bucket with no reinforcement. I think I must have side loaded them somehow, maybe with a "Y" arrangement connecting one lift point to both hooks. It bent the sheet metal slightly where the bolts go thru. And my bucket wasn't a pretty as yours.

John

 

[Chilly807]

I didn't find any locally either, I ended up buying a few clevis end grab hooks and cutting them to fit. Someone did find them on-line though. See this link:

Google

Sean

 

[countrybumpkin]

That is a great idea!

Another thing...if you have the pallet fork QA and the forks can be dismounted (removed), add the hooks to that.

This is what I did when building my QA forks works really good, Also I added a Clevis to the center of them for lifting and pulling pallets to the rear of the trailer or truck if they are to far forward to reach in and pick up. I also have added three hooks to the top of my bucket which I use often.

 

[Dargo]

Good job youll find very useful.I also added some to the edges, allowing me to secure stuff in the bucket.. Never have enough hooks on a bucket..

Have you ever seen a bucket that no longer has the front edge touch the ground level? In other words, one side of the bucket hits the ground before the other? Most likely, if it has hooks welded on it, it's because someone improperly welded hooks on the outer edges of the bucket. This should never be done. In line with the lift arms or inside the lift arms only. As I've said on here many times before, I've cut off dozens of hooks after guys have damaged their loaders by having hooks on the outside edges. That is never a good idea and will not only exert forces improperly for lifting but will almost assure you nearly tip your tractor on it's side the first time you try to pick something up with just one hook. Never outside the lift arms.

 

[RoyJackson]

Have you ever seen a bucket that no longer has the front edge touch the ground level? ...Most likely, if it has hooks welded on it, it's because someone improperly welded hooks on the outer edges of the bucket. This should never be done.
...That is never a good idea and will not only exert forces improperly for lifting but will almost assure you nearly tip your tractor on it's side the first time you try to pick something up with just one hook. Never outside the lift arms.

My outer hooks are at the bucket ends...but I've never used just one...always both. Actually, I never thought about using just one to lift or pull.
I see your point about potential damage though.

 

[Dargo]

My outer hooks are at the bucket ends...but I've never used just one...always both. Actually, I never thought about using just one to lift or pull.
I see your point about potential damage though.

Three of my college buddies own engineering firms. One designed and engineered a certain series of buckets for a name brand company. I figure if anyone would know, a company who designs and builds buckets and loaders would.

Also, under no circumstances would I ever even consider welding on a bucket attached to any tractor made after the mid 60's. Probably things would go okay, maybe not. If you're willing to risk what could easily be a couple thousand bucks just to make sure no current flows into the tractor electronics, you're a far bigger gambler than I. Your advice on dropping the bucket or taking the loader completely off if need be is spot on. I'll even go so far to say that not doing so is simply foolish.

 

[Car Doc]

I put mine at the edges also and when I need to lift using one chain I cross the chain to the center of the bucket and hang it in the middle and use the other hook on the chain to hold it there centered.

Oh and I was amazed my bucket didn't have hooks to start with from new I guess they believe you will or wont put them on depends on you? I sure wouldn't be taking a bent loader in for warranty with them on though. d'oh