Bucket hooks

[JWR]

Pull prudently with FEL chain grab hooks. FEL is not designed for force to be applied with the tractor in reverse. That is why no tractor brand offers bucket hooks as a factory option.....

I disagree there Jeff. There are many reasons why people want to lift, pull and otherwise move things from the front rather than the rear. There is no good reason to be intimidated doing so. A couple hundred pounds of "pulling" in reverse will not hurt any tractor or loader. If it does then that is a loader you do not want to own in the first place. Of course "how much is OK" depends on the size of the tractor. The best thing you said was "prudently." There are always ways to screw up any attempted action.

Another comment is that I think the reason most people want/buy/use chain hooks on their buckets is NOT to pull anything but rather to LIFT things with the bucket and FEL. That's about 90% of the use for the hooks.

 

[CBCGC1715]

I disagree there Jeff. There are many reasons why people want to lift, pull and otherwise move things from the front rather than the rear. There is no good reason to be intimidated doing so. A couple hundred pounds of "pulling" in reverse will not hurt any tractor or loader. If it does then that is a loader you do not want to own in the first place. Of course "how much is OK" depends on the size of the tractor. The best thing you said was "prudently." There are always ways to screw up any attempted action.

Another comment is that I think the reason most people want/buy/use chain hooks on their buckets is NOT to pull anything but rather to LIFT things with the bucket and FEL. That's about 90% of the use for the hooks.

I agree with you 100%. I use my GC1715 to lift out already dug out shrubs and logs. Works amazingly well.

 

[blkqi]

Just curious, why did you decide to bolt them on if you were already getting the welder out?

I think liability is the real reason this is not a common OEM option.

That is what I thought as well. My owners manual includes a CYA statement about this and my dealer refused to weld hooks to my bucket for the same reason.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It was after all designed as a "Loader", not a crane. Industry makes a big distinction in that regard. How many slings, tie downs and anchors have I seen that were clearly marked, not for lifting.

 

[jaxs]

I think your new hooks are great. The only way you "might" have done better is buying them from Kenney. As for possible damage, a list of possible problems caused by mis-using your tractor and attachments would be lengthy.

 

[jjp8182]

It was after all designed as a "Loader", not a crane. Industry makes a big distinction in that regard. How many slings, tie downs and anchors have I seen that were clearly marked, not for lifting.

I suspect most safety organizations/agencies also make a large distinction in that matter. Pretty sure that here (in the US) OSHA drives what can an cannot be used for overhead lifting for industrial/commercial applications and since those parts of the market likely account for a larger volume of sales for the heavy equipment and cordage/chain/cable manufacturing industries than individual citizens....

 

[Industrial Toys]

I made up similar hooks with bolt on plates for our JD 640 Loader, and almost immediately mangled a jerk when the bucket was rolled back, as there was not enough clearance with a hook or chain in place.

 

[CBCGC1715]

I understand it's not for everyone, but for me and my application it's perfect.

 

[jaxs]

I understand it's not for everyone, but for me and my application it's perfect.

Well that might be true but it might make you very unpopular around here just the same.:stirthepot:
In all seriousness CBC,welcome and please stick around to share ideas. What you just witnessed is how profoundly lawyers control day to day reasoning of general population.

 

[blkqi]

Well that might be true but it might make you very unpopular around here just the same.:stirthepot:
In all seriousness CBC,welcome and please stick around to share ideas. What you just witnessed is how profoundly lawyers control day to day reasoning of general population.

Really? I haven't been around here long, but I haven't got the sense that bucket hooks are unpopular. On the contrary, they seem very popular.

IMO a little caution on how to not break your equipment or injure yourself is always welcome where rigging is involved.