FEL/ Hooks

[Dargo]

I might add that it's never a good idea to mount hooks on your bucket outside your lift arms if you like your FEL. Your outer hooks should be in line with your lift arms. Otherwise, you're just begging for twisted loader arms. I think I've cut off and re-located a dozen now for guys with twisted loaders.

 

[4shorts]

LOL, I gotta ask, do you have to turn your hat sideways, wear grills on your teeth and have your pants on the ground to drive that forklift?

 

[JB4310]

I might add that it's never a good idea to mount hooks on your bucket outside your lift arms if you like your FEL. Your outer hooks should be in line with your lift arms. Otherwise, you're just begging for twisted loader arms. I think I've cut off and re-located a dozen now for guys with twisted loaders.

The greater threat IMO is flipping the machine on it's side, if some one were foolish enough to use just one hook. Ever catch just the corner of your buckets cutting edge on something and try and lift, especially if your a little lite in the rear, you will end up heavy in the old shorts as you feel the whole machine trying to go over.

That's why I like the center mount receiver set up, Don't want to have to fool around with 2 chains.

JB.

 

[Dargo]

You can't mount a hitch in the middle of a HD bucket that also works on a skid steer. On smaller buckets I've mounted a hitch receiver in the middle of the bucket for moving trailers. With the hooks mounted in line with the loader arms I've never had a problem just using one hook with a 100 hp tractor. Using the grade 70 hooks I get for about $7, I've never had even guys using 250 or 300 hp tractors have an issue using one hook when it's welded on in line with a loader arm. Mount one outside the loader arm and you'll not only twist your loader, but also easily flip your tractor on it's side. I just cringe every single time I see guys posting pictures of their proudly mounted hooks on the outside edge of their buckets. When they least expect it, it's gonna bite them.

 

[Kfbeal]

Did you turn down the Spinners for the forklift? lol

Nice looking equipment. I'm always in awe on the cosmetics of your equipment, always clean.

 

[4shorts]

Did you turn down the Spinners for the forklift? lol

Nice looking equipment. I'm always in awe on the cosmetics of your equipment, always clean.

Ya I thought they might put it over the edge. I'm just going to install a DVD player and a GPS and call it done. Thanks!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I might add that it's never a good idea to mount hooks on your bucket outside your lift arms if you like your FEL. Your outer hooks should be in line with your lift arms. Otherwise, you're just begging for twisted loader arms. I think I've cut off and re-located a dozen now for guys with twisted loaders.

I feel that it is much safer to lift long items(16'-20') with the hooks spaced out as far as they can be. We have done this for years and have had no ill effects. Now we aren't lifting anything close to max weight and we do not lift from one corner only, the load is equally loaded on the bucket.

My guess would be that the guys that you have relocated the hooks for, forgot to use a little common sense. But then I don't know any of their circumstances either. What I do know is what works good for us, and that is having the chain hooks out on the ends of the buckets.

 

[JB4310]

I feel that it is much safer to lift long items(16'-20') with the hooks spaced out as far as they can be. We have done this for years and have had no ill effects. Now we aren't lifting anything close to max weight and we do not lift from one corner only, the load is equally loaded on the bucket.

My guess would be that the guys that you have relocated the hooks for, forgot to use a little common sense. But then I don't know any of their circumstances either. What I do know is what works good for us, and that is having the chain hooks out on the ends of the buckets.

As long as like you said you always use both I don't see a problem, unless something shifted or came undone, putting all the load on one side, that could upset the applecart in a hurry.

What I don't like is that now you're forced to use both all the time, I don't like the idea of just one chain even if the hooks are in line with the cylinders like many are, seems it's still an unbalanced lift.

I'll stick to my center mount, it's so versatile

JB.

 

[Dargo]

My guess would be that the guys that you have relocated the hooks for, forgot to use a little common sense. But then I don't know any of their circumstances either. What I do know is what works good for us, and that is having the chain hooks out on the ends of the buckets.

No, it's simple physics. Without any doubt whatsoever, it's never a good idea to have hooks mounted on the outer edges of a bucket; period. You exert forces for which the bucket was never designed, for which the tractor arms were never designed and you can't possibly pull from a place on a tractor that will upset it more so than the outer edges of a bucket. You can generally get by doing things with equipment and tools that they weren't designed to do for a while, but not forever. I've used a cheater bar on box wrenches before, but it's not a good idea and they were not designed for such.

If I continued to do so it's pretty well a guarantee that sooner or later something bad would happen. It's the same with trying to ignore physics and the design of a front end loader on a tractor. You can most likely get by with it for a while but, perhaps when you most need it, it's going to bite you. I'll repeat, without exception, it's never a good practice to mount hooks on the outer edge of a FEL bucket. The common sense exhibited by the many tractor and skid steer owners who have had me relocate their hooks was when they realized that they were going to either break something or get hurt with the hooks mounted where they didn't belong. Sorry man, not trying to be rude, but this is a mathematical matter that is easily explained with simple physics, it's not a guess or opinion. I sincerely hope you don't tear up any equipment or get someone hurt; absolutely no sarcasm implied or intended.

 

[Window Geek]

Paul, that fork truck belongs in a cruiser magazine or on "Pimp my Ride"!
That is one beautiful truck! I love the custom chrome stacks.

 

[dcyrilc]

Ya I thought they might put it over the edge. I'm just going to install a DVD player and a GPS and call it done. Thanks!

You could try for some real customization and make it into an extenda-cab

 

[dcyrilc]

As long as like you said you always use both I don't see a problem, unless something shifted or came undone, putting all the load on one side, that could upset the applecart in a hurry.

What I don't like is that now you're forced to use both all the time, I don't like the idea of just one chain even if the hooks are in line with the cylinders like many are, seems it's still an unbalanced lift.

I'll stick to my center mount, it's so versatile

JB.

That forth pic sure gives a new meaning to the term "dump bed".

 

[4shorts]

Paul, that fork truck belongs in a cruiser magazine or on "Pimp my Ride"!
That is one beautiful truck! I love the custom chrome stacks.

Thank you Paul. They're motorcycle pipes Glad you like it. I did it as a bit of a joke but most seem to enjoy seeing it.

You could try for some real customization and make it into an extenda-cab

Gees Cyril you should work in my design department

 

[texasjohn]

4shorts, when I get a little light in the rear, I just add more weight there...let the relief valve on the FEL determine my max load. Further, if I hit that max with the bucket attached, I remove the bucket and just lift using the FEL without it (being careful to chain up stuff properly so it does not bend the FEL since it is less reinforced without the bucket attached). This increases my lift capability by not only increasing pay load, but by moving load closer to tractor...yes, have installed tire bumper on front guard to reduce impact of inevitable bumps!

But, I do love the photo and the rigs you have!

 

[dcyrilc]

Gees Cyril you should work in my design department

I'm not sure I could live up to my expectations for your work. I'm more of a tinkerer, where what you do is truely art!

Wish I lived close enough to watch and ask questions though!!

 

[Kubota Tee]

Here are my FEL hooks. They are 10K lb rated tow hooks with 1/2" bolts that I picked up at the local TSC. They are mounted as close as possible to the FEL arms. Depending on the situation, I can either use my tow strap or a set of chains. Works real nice. Got the idea from another TBNer (4shorts) whose work I admire a lot!

 

[4shorts]

4shorts, when I get a little light in the rear, I just add more weight there...let the relief valve on the FEL determine my max load. Further, if I hit that max with the bucket attached, I remove the bucket and just lift using the FEL without it (being careful to chain up stuff properly so it does not bend the FEL since it is less reinforced without the bucket attached). This increases my lift capability by not only increasing pay load, but by moving load closer to tractor...yes, have installed tire bumper on front guard to reduce impact of inevitable bumps!

But, I do love the photo and the rigs you have!

Thanks Tex. After I had that excavator bucket to lift I ended up buying my old Toyota fork lift and it does all the heavy lifting now. The Bota only pushes snow or lifts a bit of it with the bucket.

I'm not sure I could live up to my expectations for your work. I'm more of a tinkerer, where what you do is truely art!

Wish I lived close enough to watch and ask questions though!!

Cyril I don't know about art but I appreciate you saying so. I have a few locals who stop by and watch me. It's kind of funny because they think it's all so interesting. Maybe if they did it for a living they would think differently.

Here are my FEL hooks. They are 10K lb rated tow hooks with 1/2" bolts that I picked up at the local TSC. They are mounted as close as possible to the FEL arms. Depending on the situation, I can either use my tow strap or a set of chains. Works real nice. Got the idea from another TBNer (4shorts) whose work I admire a lot!

Nice job Thomas and even a nicer compliment and I thank you for it. Looks like it came with the machine.

 

[dcyrilc]

Cyril I don't know about art but I appreciate you saying so. I have a few locals who stop by and watch me. It's kind of funny because they think it's all so interesting. Maybe if they did it for a living they would think differently.

True enough about doing it for a living. I've always said that if someone does something long enough, they'll either get really good or really bad at it. Depends if they enjoy it or find it tedious.

 

[JRP]

My opinion and experience

1. Consider gravity. The hook opening should face slightly upward so vibrations will not jiggle the chain out, usually just as you are getting onto the tractor.

2. Use three 3/8" grab hooks, one in center, and one each end about 5" from edge. Use a 3" x 3/8" flat bar across the top as reinforcement. Harbor freight 3/8" grab hooks are two for $6.

3. Use 1/4" grade 70 chain, 16' is a good length, 1/4" grab hooks each end. Light, cheap, strong enough, small and easy to store. See the attached chain boxes, made from steel tubing.

4. I think slip type hooks are poor, as you must then use the chain grab hooks, and gravity tries to unhook them. Skip the slip hooks idea. I'll debate this with anyone.

5. Also forget about rope, which is hard and slow to untie.

 

[JRP]

Here are the pics