FEL Bucket Hooks

Boomer33 · Apr 8, 2001

I was wondering if anyone out there has used weld-on Banjo Eyes in place of snatch or grab hooks on their loader buckets. They are available from AW Direct in both 5/16 & 3/8 size for $4.50. It appears that they should perform as good or maybe better than conventional hooks. For those of you who don't know what Banjo Eyes are, you can see them online at www.awdirect.com. Go to: towing eq.,hooks & links, specialty hooks. Thanks for your replys,
Arthur

Edited by Boomer33 on 04/08/01 12:50 PM (server time).

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2001

Hi Boomer,

I don't know what "banjo-eyes" are /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif,... but I mounted 3 PAIRS (6hooks) of chain hooks on my 4n1 bucket - both ends/middle. This way I can drop any link at any point on a chain into a hook and have instant adjustment for length, and use any piece of chain, with-or-without hooks on the chain ends. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I mounted the hooks on the top-edge of the bucket(on the loader attatchment side). this way I can pick up an awkward object (log?) with the chain BETWEEN the open jaws, ...then close the jaws as firmly as I wish against the object to steady and control it. No swinging, rotating, etc. when moving or turning the tractor. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Larry

Keoke · Apr 8, 2001

Hi Larry,
Just got a 4n1 bucket but have not installed chain hooks yet. Would like to set it up like yours but I have not quite figured out where hooks 5&6 go. I get the two in the middle top bucket lip and the two at the top bucket lip ends. But where do the last other two hooks go? What obvious point am I missing here? Did you post a pic of your bucket with the hooks showing previous?
Also I have been shoping for for 3/8 grab hooks and have yet to see one without the clevis pin attached. Does anybody make a hook strictly for welding on applications?

thanks again,
george

Anonymous Poster · Apr 8, 2001

Aloha Keoke,

I'm attempting to attach a photo/jpg (for the first time!).

If successful, I'll follow-up with some more info-text in another post /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif .

STOP THE PRESSES!, Grrr. I re-read Muhammad's "posting photos" instructions, and find I'm to make a "less than 200k" .jpg

Did that.

Then I'm to "check" "preview my post".

Did that (always do).

Then I'm to click "browse" and find the file on the "preview post", screen. WHOA! Click WHAT "browse"?? No "browse" anywhere on my screen that I can find. (Are Mac-users being neglected in these instructions?) /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif

I have the file in my "E-mail images" folder in a Canon "Imagebrowser" application, from which I can "attach" it readily to ordinary e-mails sent via Eudora. (But can move it to my desktop if there's a way to use it that way on TBN!?)

Any suggestions? /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Larry

Larry

jyoutz · Apr 9, 2001

I looked and looked for a weld-on hook, but only found one weld-on design. Unfortunately this was only grade 40 strength. I decided to go for a couple of grade 80 clevis-style grab hooks. I cut off the clevis-pin end and then welded it on. Works great, and I feel better knowing that the grade 80 hook will be very difficult to break.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 9, 2001

George,

First, regarding weld-on hooks, ... I also looked diligently for such, and ended-up (as Jyoutz says) cutting the clevis-end off of the high-quality hooks that my JD dealer had, and welding them on. - came-out great! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Re. hook placement; there are NO SINGLE HOOKS anywhere in my set-up.
There are 2(pair#1) on a flat plate welded to the top of the 2 gussets
just above the hook where the toader-arm attaches. This places the lifting-strain directly on the loader-arm, and doen't "torque" the bucket.

There are 2 more (pair #2) in the same place above the OTHER loader-arm.

2 more (pair #3) are on another plate welded(with reinforcing gussets) in the center, matching the others in appearance. This "center-pair" would be the most subject to "bending" the bucket under maximum loading(although I don't think this heavy-built bucket shoiuld have any problem), so I will use the end pairs for the really heavy stuff (+/- 1-ton).

The hooks are welded with the open slot TOWARDS THE TRACTOR, with the bucket on the ground in normal "parked" position. Thus, when the jaws are open and the "mouth" is rolled forward past full-dump, to a "face down" position, the weight on the chains is hanging straight-down BETWEEN the jaws, as if it were attached to the end of the loader arms(which, practically-speaking, it is!).

Then, as I said, the jaws can be closed as gently-or-firmly as you wish to grasp and steady the load controlling "swing and sway" as you drive about.

I have a photo that makes this much clearer than I may have done here. In spite of my best-efforts to follow the directions given for photo-posting on this site, I haven't been able to do it. /w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif But I'll send it via private e-mail to anyone interested who sends their e-mail address to me at
[[ LHSmith@wvi.com ]]

/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Larry

GlueGuy · Apr 9, 2001

Click WHAT "browse"??

There should have been a "browse" button on the web page where you were when you said you wanted to attach the file. Should work pretty much the same regardless of MAC/PC. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The GlueGuy

Keoke · Apr 12, 2001

Larry and jyoutz, found weld on grade 80 3/8 hooks at B&B chain, 1-800-698-2640, web site {bbchain.com}.
Part # for weld on (not on site) is 90304, price is, get this, $3.95. They have the same hook with clevis pin #2186 for $3.75, this one is on the web site.

take care,
george