Lifting freight with FEL

[Brushy]

I have never used my kubota to lift a palate of freight off a truck. The FEL is rated to lift 1500 pounds and the freight should weigh about 1,000 pounds. Is there a "right" way to attach the chain or strap to the bucket without bending it?

 

[vwnotrunning]

Add some chain hooks, lots of post on this subject. Weld-on, bolt-on with and without reinforcement. Reading several others posts I followed their lead and installed a receiver hitch in the middle of the top of the bucket. Add a receiver clevis attachment for chain / strap connection. Works great for all of my limited applications so far!!

 

[kebo]

If the OP has a quick detach FEL, I suggest getting a set of QD forks to move the loaded pallet. If you don't have a QD loader, then maybe consider a set of the clamp on bucket forks that have the chains that wrap around the bucket to help spread the weight so the bucket (hopefully) won't get bent. The problem with using the clamp on forks is getting further away from the pivot point of the loader reduces the actually lifting capacity, and increases the amount of rear ballast needed.

 

[McGeesEquip]

You may want to take some atv straps and strap some 2x4's around your bucket before wrapping a chain around it.

 

[hosspuller]

I have never used my kubota to lift a palate of freight off a truck. The FEL is rated to lift 1500 pounds and the freight should weigh about 1,000 pounds. Is there a "right" way to attach the chain or strap to the bucket without bending it?

The key is where the FEL load rating is made. Leverage is ALL important. A FEL rating of 1500 pounds at the back of the bucket is only good for only 100 pounds 15 feet from the same point. Extreme example but it makes the math simple.

 

[k0ua]

Kubota buckets are pretty stout, I doubt you would bend anything. But as others have said, the pallet forks are the way to go.. but if you have clamp on or even chain on ones to your bucket, you may be at the extreme end of your capacity with 1000 lbs out in front of your bucket. Skid steer pallet forks which replace the bucket would be the way to go. But you may not have SSQA on your tractor. Also if you chain thru the pallet and try to hang from your bucket, watch out for swinging or shifting of the load. I don't know what the 1000 lbs looks like but you may be able to chain thru the pallet partially and get some of the pallet into the bucket, and come over the top into your bucket hooks on top of the bucket edge to hold the load into the bucket. I have moved very heavy rocks sticking out of the bucket but held in by chaining around the front edge of the rock and back to the hooks on the bucket. Remember the closer you can get the load to the pins of the bucket, than the more lift capability you will have.. Also don't forget to have close to 1000 lbs on the 3pt. hitch. to offset the heavy load up front and the fact it may be sticking out there quite a ways acting as a lever arm, multiplying the force. If the back tires come off of the ground you are in trouble, as you may tip over sideways as the front axle is on just a single pivot pin.

James K0UA