Hooks on FEL

[rockshaft]

i had an old hitch that had been torched off of a truck, so i cut the center of the receiver out and welded it to a larger plate so the force would be spread out on the top of the bucket. i put a piece of old pipe under the lip of the bucket and plug and stitch welded it to the bucket for reinforcement. this is also very handy for moving trailers around - i just throw a drawbar in and i can hook up to a trailer without getting off the tractor.

I've mounted a receiver hitch on the bucket center of a few machines. The advantage is you can use a chain hook, or a shackle, or a draw bar, whatever. To get the maximum available lift from a FEL, you can even reverse the hook out the back of the receiver and pull from behind the bucket (more in line with the pivot)- but obviously you don't have a lot of room to work with so close to the tractor's front end.

 

[foggy1111]

Of course....there's always Ken's bolt-on hooks - if you don't have a welder. This is where my SIL put his - right in-line with the cylinders. (He knows he should not lift super heavy loads without having re-reinforcement on his bucket.)

This has been an un-solicited endorsement of a fine product: Ken's bucket hooks. (nice product Kennyd )

 

[deerseeker001]

i welded my 3 hooks on,one on each side and one in middle.i just used replacement hooks for logging chain.i bought mine at a farm store.

 

[chim]

Not exactly hooks, but here's a 10-year old picture of my bucket. The slots accept 3/8" chain. The angle rests against the lip of the bucket. It doesn't look that new anymore but they work great. Extra chain can be slung through the slots and drapes to keep it out of the way.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Hooks1.jpg

 

[Baby Grand]

Not exactly hooks, but here's a 10-year old picture of my bucket. The slots accept 3/8" chain. The angle rests against the lip of the bucket. It doesn't look that new anymore but they work great. Extra chain can be slung through the slots and drapes to keep it out of the way.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Hooks1.jpg

Nice!

 

[dirt ditch]

These hooks have been serving me well the last few years.