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

[tree grower]

Many years ago when I first started working with excavating contractors I saw a hook dangling from a loop welded to the inside back of a bucket. I thought it was unusual at the time, and would probably cause more trouble than it was worth. When I got my first skid-steer, that is where I attached the hook, and it has been ideal. Slip a 3/8" grab hook over a loop of 1/2" rod welded to a 4" square plate, and bolt the plate to the middle of the back of the bucket No stress to the bucket structure, and no loss of lift capacity by placing the hook out beyond the bucket arms

 

[gstrom99]

Many years ago when I first started working with excavating contractors I saw a hook dangling from a loop welded to the inside back of a bucket. I thought it was unusual at the time, and would probably cause more trouble than it was worth. When I got my first skid-steer, that is where I attached the hook, and it has been ideal. Slip a 3/8" grab hook over a loop of 1/2" rod welded to a 4" square plate, and bolt the plate to the middle of the back of the bucket No stress to the bucket structure, and no loss of lift capacity by placing the hook out beyond the bucket arms

After reading all this, I need to add a middle hook. Got a picture of that setup?

 

[fruitcakesa]

This is my setup

 

[masscity]

On my L3540HST I have the 6 ft round back bucket with the bolted on harded edge. I put 5 welded on 5/16" hooks. With 5/16" you can use 1/4", 5/16" and 3/8" chain.

I've used 4 outside ones one time and of course the center one most often. Always balance the load and you won't have any problems.

 

[tree grower]

After reading all this, I need to add a middle hook. Got a picture of that setup?

Machine is 60 miles away, but I'll try to remember to take a picture when I am at the house in early Dec.

 

[gstrom99]

I don't know the terminology. I rarely grab for a chain for lifting stuff. I mostly use straps. The straps fit into the chain style hooks I have now, by folding them over.

Should I use the small(er) hooks to lock in a chain, or the larger hooks (for ropes)?

 

[WinterDeere]

Not quite sure what you're asking, but there are generally two types of hooks you'll find either on or for use with chain. One is most often called a slip hook, and looks like the same hooks you'd use with straps or rope. The other is called a grab hook and has a narrow slot designed to grab a single link from the side.




You do not try to place the link eye over the tip of the grab hook, as nearly every newbie once tries before being shown the right way, or else you'll very likely snap the grab hook at its crotch.

My favorite means of lifting, which I use with utterly countless logs every year, is a pair of 12.5' long chains, each having a slip hook on one end. I throw it around the log, two chain spaced 3' off the mid-point of the log such that they're about 6' apart, and use the slip hook to make a choker out of the chain. Then I hook the loose ends to the grab hooks on either end of my bucket, and lift.

Just realized I don't have any photos of this log choker sling method, but it's very similar to what I'm doing here with tongs, just with choker loops instead. These tongs work too, but you need to have a pair of tongs in each size, for each range of log sizes, not practical for everyone. The choker slings are also better for keeping the log closer to the bucket, such that you can curl and lift high over a trailer side, etc.

 

[WranglerX]

I don't know the terminology. I rarely grab for a chain for lifting stuff. I mostly use straps. The straps fit into the chain style hooks I have now, by folding them over.

Should I use the small(er) hooks to lock in a chain, or the larger hooks (for ropes)?

The thing with straps is you are limited to "length" by using loops on straps or doubling straps, the thing is with chains and grab hooks you have a infinite amount length adjustment as to size of individual links in chain....

My goto chains is about an 8 foot and 30 foot (1/4 inch chain) and I find the double hook great for quick length adjustments....

And trying not to use chain slots on bucket for heavy pulls, been using ring attached to tractor chassis for heavy pulls after I realized I have stretched all the links on a 3/16 chain to their max and probably just short of breaking chain, its now retired....

 

[5030]

Don't have any hooks on either of my buckets. I took my CNC plasma cutter and cut a pair of 1/4" thick plate steel slotted chain catchers that I welded to the bucket floor in line with the upper cylinder mounts. I just secure the chains in the chain catchers, no hooks needed at all plus they are parallel to the bucket sides so they don't impact the bucket capabilities at all.

 

[WinterDeere]

Don't have any hooks on either of my buckets. I took my CNC plasma cutter and cut a pair of 1/4" thick plate steel slotted chain catchers that I welded to the bucket floor in line with the upper cylinder mounts. I just secure the chains in the chain catchers, no hooks needed at all plus they are parallel to the bucket sides so they don't impact the bucket capabilities at all.

Photo?