Chain Hooks on a FEL

Malibu · Oct 5, 2004

Welded 3 hooks to a piece of 3 x3 angle. Welded angle to bucket body and top curl as well as both end plates. Don't think I have to worry about bending the bucket. Load is spread out over whole top frame. Welds across angle are about a inch long and spaced about 4 or 5 inches apart to minimize warpage to bucket.

Hope this is some help.

Malibu

GregJ · Oct 5, 2004

You're getting lot's of good responses here. I thought I'd add my experience here too. My dealer installed mine and put 2 chain hooks on and a larger hook in the center. I like this setup because I can use the center hook for larger diameter rope, etc.

Just another approach. Picture attached.

Greg

Syncro · Oct 5, 2004

I've been impressed with the ingenuity found here. I just installed a hook on the back side of the bucket on my MF 1240. Its a little different approach, I welded a clevis to a piece of 1/4" flat stock, then bolted it in the same plane as the flat back side of the bucket for strength. The clevis allows the hook to pivot and its also removable.

Charolais · Oct 5, 2004

I use weldable grab hooks on my loader also. I weld them on right in front of where the tilt cylinders pivot. Seems to have more support there and get equal lifting from both sides. I use a Shaver post driver for fencing and drive them 3'-4' in the ground. I've had to pull some of those post up for changes and the hooks sure come in handy for that. Also use one grab hook on one end of the chain and it fits right in the notch of Tee post. Makes it fast pulling those up also.

Here's a link for the type hooks I used on the last loader. Looks like a factory job after welding them on. Hooks

jmc · Oct 5, 2004

Syncro,

YOU get the prize for ingenuity here since you can interchange different hook sizes and styles.

John

One very minor point about prominent hooks on the bucket lip that I found out the hard way: If you invert the bucket to stabilize the front when backhoeing, the hooks grind into the pavement.

John