Bucket Hooks Location and attachment of FEL chain hooks?

[chim]

This is not new unless you statrted here at the board recently. It is a "stolen" (from these very pages) design that works great for me........................chim

 

[RoyJackson]

"For using a single centered chain, first run short chain hooked to both, and the long chain hooked to the center of it. I am thinking that would work. What do you think? "


Sure can do it like that! It'll put a bit of a side load on the hooks, but as long as they're attached (to the bucket) securely...just can't see a problem.

You can also use just one chain (with a hook on the end) by running it through both bucket hooks with a 2 feet or thereabouts extending out, then rigging the hook to the chain to make a "V". Think of the shape of a wire coat hanger with the wide end looped through your hooks. The longer the "V", the less stress on your hooks.

Something else I do occasionally is tie an old tire to the loader bracket when I'm lifting. The tire prevents damage to the grill if it moves if I'm carrying something rigged to the bucket hooks. This would be equivalent to putting a tire (NOT mounted on a wheel) between the bumpers of two vehicles if you need to give someone a push. Just acts as a bumper.

Frankly, I don't use the tractor to drag or pull something I can lift manually. It's got to be something fairly heavy.

I will add one thing...if you're going to use the bucket, hooks or a combination thereof, make sure you up the pressure inyour front tires!! I moved an old boiler (definitely a heavy lift for my little 670) rigged to the bucket using the lip of the bucket to carry it and the hooks to affix a rope that tied the boiler to the bucket.
I was wondering why the steering got so hard...well, the tire sidewalls were wayyy down! Didn't have enough air pressure. Darn near rolled the tires off the rims! Don't make that mistake!

 

[bebster]

Here a link to a prior thread that contains some more info and pictures for you.
FEL Hooks

The issue on the center hook seems to be that many find it convenient, but some are concerned it might bend the top of the bucket in the center. Not all buckets are constructed alike, so you might want to take yours into consideration. If the center doesn't provide much support, then a center hook would be useful only for light loads.

 

[dos_perros]

Thank all for very useful information. It has helped me fine tune my thinking on FEl hooks, their location and use. Comments on middle third hook interesting. I have a HD bucket and upper lip looks pretty beefy. However, if I add third hook would probably limit use to lighter load. Plan now is to first weld hook to 2X3 1/4 plate and then weld plate to bucket. Thanks again for your help.

 

[bebster]

Attached is a picture of my heavy duty bucket (4N1 from John Deere). You can see the two end hooks and the center hook (as well as the bolt on tooth bar). If you look closely, you'll see that the hooks are welded onto the top of the bucket which is constructed like a 2" square bar.

 

[bebster]

Attached is a close up of the center hook. It accepts a 3/8" chain link and locks onto it securely. Makes it real easy for hooking up to items that are within the capacity of the bucket. Since the hook is on a 2" square piece of steel, it's a fairly strong foundation.

 

[jmc]

If that short chain is tight before you hook up the center chain, there is a lot of tension on the short chain when you load the central chain. Better some slack in it so its a "Y" instead of a "T"arrangement.

 

[bebster]

In fact, the "Y" shape needs to be as far from a "T" as possible. If it were a "T", then the forces on the outside hooks would be pulling inward, or at almost a right angle to the way the hooks are designed and welded on for their strength. The bucket may not bend this way, but the hooks and welds may suffer. If the junction of the "Y" is at least 6 feet out in front of the bucket, should work just fine.

 

[leaddog]

Fel hooks are fine but I have found that a better idea is to weld a 2-in channel iron the full lenght of the bucket on the top. Then cut six slots equally spaced 3/8 wide in the channel iron. Then you can slip the chain lenghts into any slot any where you need to. The leg on the channel will keep the chain from slipping out. One of the additional advantages is that the channel reinforses the top of the bucket. Really works great.
leaddog

 

[dos_perros]

BEBSTER. Great picture and thank you. I very much like the idea of welding hook to a plate and then welding plate on to bucket. It looks very substantial. Appreciate your help.