Adding grab hooks on front bucket, 2 or 3 hooks?

[kennyd]

I got your hooks man, I like them a lot. I also like that you engage here, share info and stuff, and contribute...as opposed to just being on here to sell your stuff.

Thanks Gene, I do try to help when I can.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

The middle hook gets by far the most use, but I use the end hooks for tongs to load and unload logs.

A contrarian opinion: The CaseIH 255 in my thumbnail has no hooks yet on its loader. I really like it that way for piling brush. I spend most of my time getting untangled from vines with the TAFE's loader.

 

[WranglerX]

For that single hard pull that will damage center of bucket I op for something different on front of tractor.... Its equivalant to straight "draw bar" on rear of tractor...

 

[ratflinger]

I bought hooks & clevis plates from BOH - they are quality products. Great for pulling posts and tying off brush that needs to go to the burn pile. I went with 3 hooks and 2 clevis plates.

 

[WinterDeere]

It should not have to be a light load. If the hooks cant take an side load equal to what they can take straight on then they are substandard or improperly installed. Sorry but it's true and I'm not going to argue it.
I had my Terex 640 14 yrs using the hooks the same way, even lifting the rear off the ground many times against a chained load. Very heavy 14k pound tractor - no hook problems.

Not according to even basic high school physics, nor does your anecdotal lack of hook problems prove any theory. They were clearly substantial enough for what you were doing, even when side loaded. By the same token, I've had a middle hook on each of my last two machines, with no issues. Equally irrelevant to the argument.

Simple premise: the weld and supporting material around any side-loaded hook is going to handle a very small fraction of the force it can handle straight on. Not only that, but the geometry of most hooks, thicker in lenghwise axis than across, favors a straight-on pull. It is a simple lever length/torque problem, Archimedes figured this out 2400 years ago.

Not only that, but lifting with center-loaded chain on dual side hooks actually multiplies the side force on the hooks, by the angle of the dangle on that center chain. This is why a 200 lb. man can easily deflect a cable under 10,000 lb. tension, when pressing in the middle of the span. If you're going to pull with a side hook you're much better off just hooking to one, or making the chain between them long enough to minimize the side loading.

Of course, it's likely better for your loader to pull on-center, which is why many of us just have a center hook.

@ovrszd had it right, guys.

 

[scootr]

LOl okay you win - obviously you are very passionate about the center hook.
However if you read carefully. I did say I pulled the rear end of a 14k tractor off the ground several times with my side hook trick. Even lifted the REAR of the 4k pound forklift to change tires like this...it does work.
I'm not convinced but I am done. I offered what I know - Didn't mean to make it sound like that is what everybody should do. To each their own. GL and Cheers.

 

[ovrszd]

LOl okay you win - obviously you are very passionate about the center hook.
However if you read carefully. I did say I pulled the rear end of a 14k tractor off the ground several times with my side hook trick. Even lifted the REAR of the 4k pound forklift to change tires like this...it does work.
I'm not convinced but I am done. I offered what I know - Didn't mean to make it sound like that is what everybody should do. To each their own. GL and Cheers.

I appreciate WinterDeere's support in this. But I try to think along the lines of someone stumbling onto this thread years from now. They read a post that says it's fine to side load a hook. Then they have a failure. I never want to be a part of that misconception. Although I probably have already.

You can minimize the side load on your hooks by lengthening the chain so the point where the chain hook creates the triangle is farther from the two side hooks. But you can never eliminate the "side load" on the two bucket hooks.

A chain hook is designed to withstand a straight pull. That's where it's strength is.

You can side load hooks all day without problems. Until you exceed the resistance strength of the hook. Then failure will occur. And it will occur at a lesser load weight than the hook would withstand in a straight pull. That's just how it is.

No argument. Just discussion.

 

[beowulf]

I have three and have used them all - answer is three.

 

[scootr]

Sorry I mentioned it.

 

[ovrszd]

Sorry I mentioned it.

Never be sorry for mentioning anything here. It's all about discussion. I am never too smart to learn something new.

 

[civilian]

What about a tube/pipe cut to the length between the hooks and run the chain through that. With the pipe against the sides of the hooks, would reduce some of the side loading on the hooks. Jon

 

[WinterDeere]

What about a tube/pipe cut to the length between the hooks and run the chain through that. With the pipe against the sides of the hooks, would reduce some of the side loading on the hooks. Jon

Definitely, if said pipe is strong enough. But side-loaded round tube is notoriously weak. Better off with a square tube or c-channel, and a center hook welded to the tube such that the loading stays plumb to its cross-section.

I honestly don't understand the aversion to a center hook. If your bucket is too wimpy, beef it up, accordingly. Not rocket surgery.

 

[MH8675309]

Do the hook in the middle of the bucket as well as the ends. Put a plate of steel on the bucket instead of welding directly to the bucket- this will spread out the stress. Lifting heavier things - or trying to with the side hooks could rack the loader frame if you aren't careful. Get a 3 point trailer mover instead of the receiver on the bucket. The 3 point will lift more and you wont lose traction moving a heavy trailer. Also you've got better control using the 3 point and these can be bought for usually under $100.

 

[workinonit]

One will do!!!!

 

[AnotherBueller]

I put one on each side and a receiver in the middle. Can use it with a hook or with a ball mount to move trailers.

I put a piece of sq tube big enough that the bottom of the hook clears the lip of the bucket. It also reinforces the edge of the bucket.

 

[tractortroof]

I have four on the backhoe…it can lift 8000# with attachable forks

 

[Seven Gables]

Here’s what I like to build for a bucket chain grasper, angle iron with slots I cut in. This one I just made for my Deere 5115m, 540R loader, 73”HD bucket. Angle iron eliminates any chance of bending top of bucket, handles side loading the chain no problem. When I set a large stump on brush pile I’ll tip the bucket forward and the choker chain pulls free of the center slot as I back tractor away a few feet, makes chain retrievel off stump much easier and faster. This one was 4x6” x3/8” angle, 1/4 “ gussets. Smaller tractor loader 1/4” angle would be plenty strong I’d think

 

[WinterDeere]

Nice setup, Seven Gables. Although I still prefer the forged hooks, I do wish I had thought to buy a standard bucket and simply re-enforce the top like you did. I went the route of the "Heavy Duty" bucket from Deere, as I'd seen too many of their standard buckets bowed on top from lifting logs on hooks (primary use of my tractor) and I'm not loving it.

1. Way too heavy, requires me to ALWAYS carry ballast, even with empty bucket
2. Hardened cutting edge can easily damage driveway
3. Bolt-on edge prevents use of a lot of common bolt-on or clamp-on bucket accessories

As much of a PITA as it is to set up and repaint new bucket, I'm thinking of buying a standard bucket, mod'ing it better to my liking, and then reselling the HD bucket to someone who really needs it.

 

[scaredychicken]

i have 2, each about 4 inches from the sides. i have another hook on the backhoe i think

 

[WranglerX]

As much of a PITA as it is to set up and repaint new bucket, I'm thinking of buying a standard bucket, mod'ing it better to my liking, and then reselling the HD bucket to someone who really needs it.

IF you don't do it you are never going to be happy.....