Chain hooks on Bucket or just use pallet forks? (For misc chain hoisting)
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My BX doesn’t have much capacity, but I have found several uses, for my welded on hooks. The BX has a fold, on the top edge of the bucket. We welded hooks onto backing plates. Then, we welded a piece of flat stock behind the lip, to support the edge of the lip and backing plate.
Jims1025R
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I put two grab hooks on each side of the top of the bucket. When I pile fence rails, lumber or tree branches, I'll first lay down two chains at 90 degrees, the grab hook distance apart. Then I pile the material neatly, and pull up with the tractor. The near chains each go to one of the hooks, the far chains wrap over the bundle, and go to the other hooks. The chains keep it all together while I drive.
RoyJackson
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Nice welds!
Just make sure you have rear ballast (ballast box is best, IMHO) when you do any lifting
Those welds get comments everywhere I go. Wish I could do half that nice. I generally use my backhoe for ballast.
WranglerX
Super Member
Practice, practice, practice....
I can stick stuff together, but it’s going to take a lot longer than you’re suggesting! I leave a LOT of room, for improvement.
CADplans
Elite Member
When you want to lift the maximum weight,, and have the most control of the weight,,
the lift point should be close to the tractor as possible.
I have hooks on the bucket, but, I also have hooks that liftfrom a point that is closer to the tractor than the bucket pivot.
These lift hooks result in the maximum amount that my loader can lift.
Since the hooks are attached to my QA adapter, I can also lift with the bucket removed from the tractor.
the lift point should be close to the tractor as possible.
I have hooks on the bucket, but, I also have hooks that liftfrom a point that is closer to the tractor than the bucket pivot.
These lift hooks result in the maximum amount that my loader can lift.
Since the hooks are attached to my QA adapter, I can also lift with the bucket removed from the tractor.
Last edited:
CADplans
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California
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Lots of good advice in this thread. I recommend read it all before welding anything.
I took the simple approach for a quick-n-dirty one time use. But then I've never replaced this because it simply continues to work. With only about 700 lbs lift capacity on this elderly Yanmar, this is sufficient.
Cold Shuts (chain repair links) that I already had
bolted into pre-existing holes in a bucket that was already badly beaten up when I bought the tractor in 2003. I've never bent anything, hook or bucket, over 15 years using this.
Initial use - before I had loader forks:
Heaviest lift I've done. Label on tank says 650 lbs and I had to reach over to the center of the trailer to lift it. This didn't bend the Cold Shuts.
Typical use.
If there weren't already holes along the top of the bucket I would have welded on proper hooks. But this serves well, for my very occasional use. There's no need to improve on it.
I took the simple approach for a quick-n-dirty one time use. But then I've never replaced this because it simply continues to work. With only about 700 lbs lift capacity on this elderly Yanmar, this is sufficient.
Cold Shuts (chain repair links) that I already had
bolted into pre-existing holes in a bucket that was already badly beaten up when I bought the tractor in 2003. I've never bent anything, hook or bucket, over 15 years using this.
Initial use - before I had loader forks:
Heaviest lift I've done. Label on tank says 650 lbs and I had to reach over to the center of the trailer to lift it. This didn't bend the Cold Shuts.
Typical use.
If there weren't already holes along the top of the bucket I would have welded on proper hooks. But this serves well, for my very occasional use. There's no need to improve on it.
kennyd
Advertiser
Thanks to everyone that recommended our products 
Please remember when shopping and comparing that we have the only USA forged grade 70 Weldable Grabs available, this is what we use on our Bolt-On Hooks now and we also sell 5/16" and 3/8" sizes for welding.
Please remember when shopping and comparing that we have the only USA forged grade 70 Weldable Grabs available, this is what we use on our Bolt-On Hooks now and we also sell 5/16" and 3/8" sizes for welding.
sheilacorvin298
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According to my point of view. It is good to work with welder to get useful and better result.
Last edited:
California
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... And here's what NOT to do. A failed experiment.
I cobbled together some scrap materials, zero cost. Not shown here but I also cut 2x4's to fit into the bucket vertical to avoid crushing the bucket. (which was already trashed by some prior owner).
Forks made this way were pretty useless. They wouldn't stay aligned.
I soon bought a $180 pair of clamp-on bucket forks, with the optional adjustable separator between them that keeps the forks aligned. This works well.
(also shown - the bolted-on Cold Shuts I'm still using several years later as chain hooks).
I cobbled together some scrap materials, zero cost. Not shown here but I also cut 2x4's to fit into the bucket vertical to avoid crushing the bucket. (which was already trashed by some prior owner).
Forks made this way were pretty useless. They wouldn't stay aligned.
I soon bought a $180 pair of clamp-on bucket forks, with the optional adjustable separator between them that keeps the forks aligned. This works well.
(also shown - the bolted-on Cold Shuts I'm still using several years later as chain hooks).
California
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Yes! A hitch ball I added to the other Yanmar. It's low enough to get under a parked small trailer.
PILOON
Super Star Member
I have done many mods on my CUT but HOOKS was the first 'add on' once I had finished my DIY cab, and a very often used.
WranglerX
Super Member
Another reason or excuse for bucket chain hooks/slots...
fishdrivel
Gold Member
If you buy a hitch mount you should buy a forged unit, not a cast unit.Yes! A hitch ball I added to the other Yanmar. It's low enough to get under a parked small trailer.
Even though they are both steel, the cast can crack and your load run off with out you!
You should also alway use a safety chain.....
GeneV
Elite Member
fishdrivel
Gold Member
If you are using the chains to secure - no problem.
If you are lifting with the chains, they should be attached to lifting eyes or hooks - not wrapped around the forks.
GeneV
Elite Member
You talking in general terms, or responding to my post (since you quoted it). If responding, look at the pic again.
