Loader getting the most out of your fel

[spitter]

Thanks for all replies and help.:thumbsup: My forks are bradco hd ss forks that are way more than I need .Because of that it already cuts my lifting capabilities about 200 lbs. But I got them for free and I want to buy a bigger tractor so I not going to buy a smaller set. I want to use a set of log tongs and mostly build some sort of rock jaw for building rock walls. So I'm thinking a lightweight 1/4 " plate weld on some hooks ,d rings, receiver hitch and wal la. The 1/4 " plate only weights 76 lbs better than the 450 for the forks.Thanks again.:drink:

 

[AxleHub]

I was wondering if any one ever lifted with their fel with no bucket or forks on it .I have a ssqa was thinking to get a flat plate and weld some hooks on it.This way I can increase my lifting capacity by lifting closer to pins and not adding the weight of the bucket or forks.My loader is a 7308 and is pretty weak.:drink:

The advantages of your idea are several . . . . the only limitation I could see is the following: you are bringing the payload closer to the tractor front grill and hood etc.. If the payload is fair sized in dimension you could have some clearance issues or risk in hitting the grill etc..

 

[Oldoak]

The advantages of your idea are several . . . . the only limitation I could see is the following: you are bringing the payload closer to the tractor front grill and hood etc.. If the payload is fair sized in dimension you could have some clearance issues or risk in hitting the grill etc..

Very good point. One little jar on uneven ground while the tractor is moving or hitting the brakes will start the load swinging.

 

[spitter]

Good point with that setup I probably would have one of my sons rigging with a tag line. :drink:

 

[check]

Yep, will work mathematically just like you'd expect. Another trick to gaining lift capacity with the bucket is weld a hook to the back side of the bucket so you are lifting at or behind the SSQA.

Hey, that gives me an idea! I have a receiver hitch welded inside the bucket of my little BX25, and I usually just took chain on to that. But I never thought of running the chain over the back of the bucket instead of over the front. Wiill have to try it out.

 

[AxleHub]

Hey, that gives me an idea! I have a receiver hitch welded inside the bucket of my little BX25, and I usually just took chain on to that. But I never thought of running the chain over the back of the bucket instead of over the front. Wiill have to try it out.

Its one of the reasons I like my type of forks so well - they attach directly to my quick attach so all the fork weight is directly next to the pins. I couldn't use the clamp on forks with all the leveraged issues - as my payload with my forks is so much higher too.

I also have a 2 inch receiver hitch built into my quick attach, so I've used that for some chain lifting situations with a 2 inch trailer drawbar. Gives a great positioning for the chain and again very close to the pins.