Loader Using loader with chains, etc
- Thread starter HiTechTed
- Start date
- Views: 17901
Johnbro
Gold Member
By all means put some chain hooks on your bucket and use chain to lift things. One of the nice things about an FEL is it can pick up heavy stuff.
But be very careful. Just like picking up a bucket load of rock or sand, you can make the tractor front-heavy and have it tip. Hanging something from the bucket, it will swing, and it can swing right into the front of the tractor, doing some serious damage. Particularly once the tractor starts moving the pendulum gets moving as well. Lowering a swinging load will arrest its movement, keeping it close to the ground and driving REAL SLOW is helpful as well.
Occasionally I've picked up something heavy with chains on the FEL, raised it really high to clear the sides of a PU bed, and lowered it in. I rarely do it because it's so unstable and I have to get the tractor so close to the side of the PU I'm always afraid I will slam into it.
But be very careful. Just like picking up a bucket load of rock or sand, you can make the tractor front-heavy and have it tip. Hanging something from the bucket, it will swing, and it can swing right into the front of the tractor, doing some serious damage. Particularly once the tractor starts moving the pendulum gets moving as well. Lowering a swinging load will arrest its movement, keeping it close to the ground and driving REAL SLOW is helpful as well.
Occasionally I've picked up something heavy with chains on the FEL, raised it really high to clear the sides of a PU bed, and lowered it in. I rarely do it because it's so unstable and I have to get the tractor so close to the side of the PU I'm always afraid I will slam into it.
some zilch
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2008
- Messages
- 468
i have never found a reason to weld chain hooks to my bucket. why not just take the bucket off, loose the weight of the bucket, and lift off the end of the loader arms? you increase your lift capacity, and move the lift point back at least a few inches. doesnt anybody use forks for anything?
Chilly807
Elite Member
We use ours for pulling posts all the time. I have a hook welded to the bucket heel on the centerline, and two more on the outer edges of the bucket top lip. If using the top hooks, the load must be securely suspended by two chains, with roughly equal weight on each. If it isn't, you run the risk of either twisting the loader or flipping the tractor. Seriously.
The lower hook is what we usually use for pulling old posts. Keep the bucket as low as you can, and pull slowly. If the tractor won't pull it, you'll know soon enough.
As for driving posts with the bucket, we do that as well. Try to drive with the center of the bucket, as close to the heel as you can. You'll bend the bucket otherwise. It works with pre-existing holes, or in soft ground. The 3400 just isn't heavy enough to drive them in hard, dry ground. Not many tractors are, for that matter. We use a PHD for 90% of our posts, it IS the right tool for that job.
Sean
The lower hook is what we usually use for pulling old posts. Keep the bucket as low as you can, and pull slowly. If the tractor won't pull it, you'll know soon enough.
As for driving posts with the bucket, we do that as well. Try to drive with the center of the bucket, as close to the heel as you can. You'll bend the bucket otherwise. It works with pre-existing holes, or in soft ground. The 3400 just isn't heavy enough to drive them in hard, dry ground. Not many tractors are, for that matter. We use a PHD for 90% of our posts, it IS the right tool for that job.
Sean
crazyal
Super Member
The way I read it is do not wrap chains around the bucket as in if you put the chain in a pinch point you could damage the loader or the chain, maybe even cutting it and dropping your load.
If you want to lift with a chain weld some hooks to your bucket.
If you want to lift with a chain weld some hooks to your bucket.
Thanks for the input hows to beef up the bucket for hooks. I've read a lot on this site about it, but hadn't read anything specific to the L3400.
I can see the "to -never- use chains around the bucket" warning, emphasis AROUND !
A load chained AROUND a bucket could easily slip to one side very quickly, quite possibly a BIG and SUDDEN problem when the chain stops at one side.
I already commented on using chain hooks - it is a marginal practice and I think the biggest danger in that is swinging to the side, resulting in a rollover.
Grille scratches ? Yeah; I don't worry too much about those, they're tractors, they get dirty, they have scratches.
Mine have grille guards anyway, so it isn't as if a radiator is going to get stoved in.
sixdogs
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,656
- Location
- Ohio
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040, Kubota MX5100, Deere 790 TLB, Farmall Super C
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/120967-how-i-attached-hooks-bucket.html
Here's an old post with a photo of how I attached hooks to my bucket using plate steel for backing. This seeems to work the best from what I have seen.
This is on a 75HP tractor that I lift very heavy things with and never a problem.
One hook on each side lined up with each loader cylinder.
I then hook a chain between the hooks welded to the bucket. For a lift chain I have a three or four ft. piece of chain with one hook and one slip clevis on it. I hook the grab clevis to the center of my connecting chain and everything balances. I use 5/16 grade 70 chain and USA made clevisis whenever possible. And I use the whole clevis to weld to the the bucket, rather than a stub because it's easier to hook a small rarchet strap to for lightweight bulky items like plastic barrels and such.
Hope it helps.
Here's an old post with a photo of how I attached hooks to my bucket using plate steel for backing. This seeems to work the best from what I have seen.
This is on a 75HP tractor that I lift very heavy things with and never a problem.
One hook on each side lined up with each loader cylinder.
I then hook a chain between the hooks welded to the bucket. For a lift chain I have a three or four ft. piece of chain with one hook and one slip clevis on it. I hook the grab clevis to the center of my connecting chain and everything balances. I use 5/16 grade 70 chain and USA made clevisis whenever possible. And I use the whole clevis to weld to the the bucket, rather than a stub because it's easier to hook a small rarchet strap to for lightweight bulky items like plastic barrels and such.
Hope it helps.
I'm glad I didn't put on chain hooks... when I bought them 5 years ago. I finally mounted them on a bolt-on grapple!!! You have to give it a bit more support then what the top of the bucket has "stock". Granted this is a bit extreme just for a place to mount hooks...
This is what I did on my bucket. I believe that the top of the LA463 bucket is a similar arrangement.
Keep in mind this is just one of many possible ways of doing this. I welded the hooks to a 4"x6"x1/4" plate. I welded a piece of 1.5"x7"x1/4" flat stock to the bucket to strengthen the top and then welded the 4x6 plate on there. It looks nice and shiny because I just painted it yesterday.
Just search this site and you will find many more options.
