Front-End Loader hooks directly onto FEL arms instead of bucket ?

jkahan · Feb 12, 2021

hi -
have used hooks on FEL buckets for decades (yes - I am old).
now, as I am using a plow instead of a bucket, I am looking for FEL hooks* - I am guessing I could just weld some up - but am looking to learn how others have dealt with this. Another option is to weld a cross beam onto the FEL and use that as a hook mounting point. Any suggestions. Are there products that can be bolted onto a FEL?
thanks
Josh

chim · Feb 12, 2021

On my SSQA plow mount, there's a slotted angle for the float chains and it has a couple extra slots.

FastEddieR · Feb 12, 2021

My understanding is that it's not a good idea, unless it's just to hold something in place. If you use the arm for any heavy lifting you run the risk of bending the cylinder or twisting your tractor around and over on its side if you're not careful. A cross piece between the two might be better, depending on how much force you put on it, just avoid side torque.

PILOON · Feb 12, 2021

On my CUT I have used a hook and chain on the FEL cross beam to lift my plow for some 12 years without any ill effects at all.

LOL I did snap a few chains from time to time when I uses 1/4" links but this year I upgraded to 5/16" as I hated changing links in -0 deg weather.

WranglerX · Feb 12, 2021

Think I would be more in favor of some sort of mechanical bar across the bucket mount points so any hooks or rings distribute load evenly across both lift arms just as it was intended with bucket in place....

More strain on just one arm could cause you to wrench lift arms out of alignment and once everything goes wonky its going to be a hard time getting anything to connect up correctly ...

The is also the safety factor of a out of alignment lift that could cause some unintended consequence that cause just a bit of BUTT PUCKER or worse....

Dale