jyoutz
Super Star Member
I agree. Anytime something is pulled by a tractor it should be from a clevis attached to the drawbar. Bucket hooks should solely be used for lifting things or securing loads in the bucket.
Welding Hooks to a front end loader
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kennyd
Advertiser
This, right there.
Pulling with the loader is also trying to pull the loader off of the tractor, not what it's designed for at all.
greenlizard112
New member
I added two of the Boltonhooks to top of my Deere 325 bucket. Very nicely made. Tried lifting something too heavy and now the top edge of the bucket is a little wavy. I highly recommend reinforcing the bucket before adding hooks.
Slowpoke Slim
Elite Member
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I agree about not pulling with the bucket hooks. I never use mine for recovery or pulling anything hard (like pulling up a tree stump). That's what the draw bar is for. If for some reason I must pull from the front end of the tractor (which I haven't had to do) then I would use a chain off of the front frame crossmember on the tractor frame itself. I haven't needed to do such yet anyway.
I have 4 hooks welded across my bucket top, and they are handy as a pocket on a shirt. Here is some of the "light duty" stuff I use it for...
The inboard pair are right in line with the FEL arms, and the outer pair on the bucket corners.
I also haul around my burn barrel by setting it in the bucket floor and wrapping a single chain around the barrel so it can't tip forward out of the bucket.
I have 4 hooks welded across my bucket top, and they are handy as a pocket on a shirt. Here is some of the "light duty" stuff I use it for...
The inboard pair are right in line with the FEL arms, and the outer pair on the bucket corners.
I also haul around my burn barrel by setting it in the bucket floor and wrapping a single chain around the barrel so it can't tip forward out of the bucket.
Orange Convertible
Member
This hasn't been mentioned in the thread that I have seen. Mounting them inside the bucket will save you if your cable/rope/chain snaps and comes sailing over the top of the bucket at your head. Paul and Kathy Short of Speciality Repairs on YouTube have an excellent video on this. Good luck. See "specialtyrepairscustommods.com"
WranglerX
Super Member
IF you are pulling some thing with bucket hooks or rings and cable, chains or rope breaks and it comes flying back at you you are doing something wrong..... Bucket hooks are for securing a load in bucket.... NOT PULLING , any pulling that will put enough strain on cable or chain that will injure or decapitate you if it breaks should be done low down from ring on front of tractor chassis or rigid draw bar on rear of tractor..... Seriously doubt if ring is inside bucket it will protect you if you are doing the pulling wrong... Pulling from FEL bucket rings or hooks is most like to damage booms and bucket geometry long before chain or what ever breaks....
oosik
Epic Contributor
I don't weld - my bucket hooks are bolted on. YES - do not pull with your FEL/bucket combination. My hooks are used for lifting or securing a load. There is one on each side - back bottom of the bucket.
ponytug
Super Member
I am curious; @oosik and others who move things in their buckets with chains. What sort of things are you moving?
It has never come up for me, probably because I don't realize I should be doing it. Then again, I do use forks to move a lot of items, and those items often get strapped down.
All the best,
Peter
It has never come up for me, probably because I don't realize I should be doing it. Then again, I do use forks to move a lot of items, and those items often get strapped down.
All the best,
Peter
WranglerX
Super Member
I use chains for anything to big and awkward to stay in bucket.... Some times it pine tree rounds (24+ inches in diameter), brush, garbage can, latest was large rock.... Also chains hooks are good for something like this....
oosik
Epic Contributor
ponytug ........ Before I got my grapple. Ten foot chunks of pine tree trunk. Brush. Rail road ties.
This chunk - 8' x 34".
Which was cut off this 16' section.
And this is the stump. One of my ancient Ponderosa pines. 38" on the butt x 110 feet tall.
This chunk - 8' x 34".
Which was cut off this 16' section.
And this is the stump. One of my ancient Ponderosa pines. 38" on the butt x 110 feet tall.
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ponytug
Super Member
@DL Meisen Nice chain "hooks"! I can see that would be useful. I tend to use my forks for things like that, though with my slopes and narrow access, I tend to try to avoid moving long items, if I can.
@oosik Ok, yup, I would be chaining an 8'x34" log into/onto my bucket, too. Way out of my league here. Waaaay out.
All the best,
Peter
@oosik Ok, yup, I would be chaining an 8'x34" log into/onto my bucket, too. Way out of my league here. Waaaay out.
All the best,
Peter
oosik
Epic Contributor
Ponytug - I have a WHOLE LOT of really big ancient P. pines. The one pictures in post #50 is the largest one I've ever taken down here on the property. There ARE larger ones. However - I have no reason to bring them down and my biggest Stihl only has a 24" or 26" bar. It was dying and I didn't want the wind to decide where it would fall.
It was over twenty years ago when I brought that puppy down. It has weathered very well because that 16' section is being held up off the ground on its limbs. I got so scared/nervous when felling it - I almost didn't complete the job.
A chain saw with a 26" bar is not my ideal idea of what should be used on a tree that size.
It was over twenty years ago when I brought that puppy down. It has weathered very well because that 16' section is being held up off the ground on its limbs. I got so scared/nervous when felling it - I almost didn't complete the job.
A chain saw with a 26" bar is not my ideal idea of what should be used on a tree that size.
ponytug
Super Member
Yikes! Both ways. Big trees with small saws are definitely a "plan ahead", and out of my sphere of knowledge.
I have enjoyed watching videos by August Hunincke up your way taking out challenging trees, but I am not upgrading my chainsaw just yet. (https://www.youtube.com/user/AugustJames2006)
Our big trees are around the house, and they are bays, so not straightforward to remove. My long term plan is to drop a couple by pulling them down and away from the house. Two are going to have to be ziplined down and craned when the time comes. Not looking forward to it. Also these guys;
All the best,
Peter
I have enjoyed watching videos by August Hunincke up your way taking out challenging trees, but I am not upgrading my chainsaw just yet. (https://www.youtube.com/user/AugustJames2006)
Our big trees are around the house, and they are bays, so not straightforward to remove. My long term plan is to drop a couple by pulling them down and away from the house. Two are going to have to be ziplined down and craned when the time comes. Not looking forward to it. Also these guys;
All the best,
Peter
