Bucket Hooks

[Big Barn]

I needed a good chain connection on the tines of my log grapple. I was going to just drill a couple 3/4" holes and use a shackle. I didn't know what the steel was but when I tried to drill an 1/8" pilot hole with a hand drill and a good bit I found out it was Kryptonite. A definite no-go with a hand drill - for me at least. Thought about burning a hole but my torch work is a little crude for a 34" hole. So I made a couple 1/2" weld lugs instead.

View attachment 579637

View attachment 579638

Now I have a slip connections with just the shackles or I can add a grab links big enough to pass a hook thru to get a grab connection.

View attachment 579639

gg

NICE, gg

 

[WranglerX]

I needed a good chain connection on the tines of my log grapple. I was going to just drill a couple 3/4" holes and use a shackle. I didn't know what the steel was but when I tried to drill an 1/8" pilot hole with a hand drill and a good bit I found out it was Kryptonite. A definite no-go with a hand drill - for me at least. Thought about burning a hole but my torch work is a little crude for a 3/4" hole. So I made a couple 1/2" weld lugs instead.

View attachment 579637

View attachment 579638

Now I have a slip connections with just the shackles or I can add a grab links big enough to pass a hook thru to get a grab connection.

View attachment 579639

gg

Looks interesting, what is source for slip connectors (the red ones)?

Dale

 

[WranglerX]

Looks interesting, what is source for slip connectors (the red ones)?

Dale

Aaaah found the rascals under "Grab Link" in google searches...

One of many sources....

Grab Link - Imported - L2i


Dale

 

[Gordon Gould]

Thanks Terry !

Yes - there you go DL. I get them at a real hardware store in St J called Dad's that we are lucky to have. You can get them at BaileysOnLine in CA too or any logging supply place. Look under Grab Link like you did or Main Line Slider Assemblies. The 3/8" size is good for 5/16" chain like I use too.

gg

 

[chim]

I've been using slotted angle since back in '02 when we bought the B7500. When we replaced that with the L3200 ten years later, I made another set. Today I was doing some cleanup and getting the tractors ready for Winter.

The Ford still had a 5' RFM on it. I removed that to put the York rake on to gather some flood debris down by the creek. Then the York rake came off and the 6' rear blade went on.

The Kubota had the bigger rear blade hastily installed when the first snow of the season hit before Thanksgiving. That had to come off so I could put the 6' RFM back on to grind up some leaves. Then the RFM came off and was put in storage and the rear snow blower was installed.

The point of that long-winded recap is that I moved a bunch of things around this afternoon. A nice addition was a pair of 1/4" GR70 chains (bought a 16-footer and made two 8's). These are plenty strong and much nicer to handle than my long 3/8" chains. The slotted angle reduced the number of times I had to get in and out of the cab. I parked with the bucket over the implement that was to be moved, and connected it up. Picked the implement and took it to where I wanted it and set it down. Then lower and dump the bucket and back away and leave the chains on that implement while I went and parked at the next one. Hop out and retrieve the chains, take them to where the tractor was waiting, and hook up.

I snapped a couple pics of the heaviest load today (and it was also rigged with the most strain on the chains and slotted angles). That was the 6' RFM. With it hanging way out front like that, it was easy to drive right into the shed and slip it under a shelf till Spring.

 

[dragoneggs]

I've been using slotted angle since back in '02 when we bought the B7500. When we replaced that with the L3200 ten years later, I made another set. Today I was doing some cleanup and getting the tractors ready for Winter.

The Ford still had a 5' RFM on it. I removed that to put the York rake on to gather some flood debris down by the creek. Then the York rake came off and the 6' rear blade went on.

The Kubota had the bigger rear blade hastily installed when the first snow of the season hit before Thanksgiving. That had to come off so I could put the 6' RFM back on to grind up some leaves. Then the RFM came off and was put in storage and the rear snow blower was installed.

The point of that long-winded recap is that I moved a bunch of things around this afternoon. A nice addition was a pair of 1/4" GR70 chains (bought a 16-footer and made two 8's). These are plenty strong and much nicer to handle than my long 3/8" chains. The slotted angle reduced the number of times I had to get in and out of the cab. I parked with the bucket over the implement that was to be moved, and connected it up. Picked the implement and took it to where I wanted it and set it down. Then lower and dump the bucket and back away and leave the chains on that implement while I went and parked at the next one. Hop out and retrieve the chains, take them to where the tractor was waiting, and hook up.

I snapped a couple pics of the heaviest load today (and it was also rigged with the most strain on the chains and slotted angles). That was the 6' RFM. With it hanging way out front like that, it was easy to drive right into the shed and slip it under a shelf till Spring.

Looks good, chim! I will need to remember the slotted angle 'trick'. Sure seems it would give you more hooking scheme flexibility than the two hooks I have on my bucket.

 

[oosik]

I like the slot idea also. Here is another way to locate/attach hooks. I have them low so I can run a chain ACROSS the bucket and hold stuff in the bucket. I also have a made up bridle with a center pull if I need it.


View attachment 580875

 

[dalola]

Lot's of great ideas & executions here! I also like the angle/slot method, chim's looks really handy. Been debating what to put on my BX, leaning heavily towards something like chim's. Thanks for all the info & pix gentlemen!

 

[chim]

The left picture below is the original install on the B7500 and there were only 5 slots total. There were times that I could have used more slots - especially at the ends. The additional slots in the angles used on the L3200 provide a lot more flexibility.

I'm sure that these pics of the brush forks on the L3200 have been posted before, but they may be of interest to some newer people. The front edge of the bucket slips into the attachment, and an old ratchet binder with a chain bridle is what holds them on. The two chains and two tabs where the forks meet the bucket were added this year to make the forks self-install by dropping them in slots and curling the bucket. Prior to that, I had to lift the (rather heavy) fork assembly and set it on the slightly raised and curled bucket. At 69, I'm putting more thought into making things easier

 

[dalola]

Thanks chim, I like the way you think! Do you have a background in fabrication? Also, what are the dimensions of the (newest) angle you used? Nice touch with the square holes for carriage bolts!