Chain Slots

[piercedtiger]

That's actually a feature of using slots instead of welded-on hooks. I learned it years ago from
the excavation contractor I hired to dig my house foundation.

After lifting the load, I release the chain by curling the FEL bucket up, and I save myself from
getting off the tractor. Works with chains or straps.

On the CT230, the QA FEL bkt has a very convenient cross-beam that provides a
great location for a chain slot. You can lift even more if you do it with the bkt
removed (photo).

I used 1/2" plate with a 1/4" plate reinforcement. I only put these lift points
on middle of the FEL.

Slots also let you secure the chain or strap from above OR below, while chain hooks
work in only one direction.

Thanks! Now I need to get one of those for my GC2600. I'm converting it to SSQA and dropping the bucket to get more lifting power is one of the things I thought of, though I hadn't thought of putting a hook or slot on the back of the adapter itself!

 

[DaveK OR]

Looks like the chain could slip out rolling the bucket ?

I checked on this while doing a series of photos on my firewood system (see that thread in the Build-It-Yourself forum). It's all but impossible for the chain to release from the slot by simply rolling the bucket, unless I'm trying to pull with the tractor at the same time, or I'm pointed down a really serious downhill grade.

 

[Xfaxman]

I put chain slots in the bottom channel iron of this fork frame that was used on three different loaders over the years.

Note the shadow of the slot.

And two slots on each side on the brush fork. :thumbsup: