I am surprised that no one commented on this simple and logical improvement to the front bucket. I have used the chain hooks frequently to pull up neighbors old fence posts and numerous dead bushes ( remember we have had a very dry summer) and re-enforcing the top edge of the bucket minimizes the chance of bending it when using chains attached to the outboard hooks and the weight increase in minimal.
___No barking from me because I have so much to say but no concrete plans yet to implement! Trust me, I took notes!
I am looking at some serious design before I pull the trigger and build anything. I want a
grapple, a
grapple needs proper support, the curled top of the bucket is anti-everything in my book and I must renforce it prior to any
grapple or hooks. The jury is out on that.
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___I see guys w/ 3- hooks. I see guys w/ 2 and guys w/ one. I need to figure out how to season mine. You gotta have at least one, if you have one it should be in the middle, but with 2 you can do more, so I would have one aligned w/ each FEL arm I would suspect for the best transfer of weight. (Be careful check 6 with those hooks at bucket end, I think
you created a lever there that could tweek you FEL arms or bucket ) If you have two centered on FEL arms you can easily make a cheater chain that hangs from the two and have a hook or ring dead center of the cheater chain so a guy can have one connection point on center if he pleases. Maybe one of these;
That is another step to the process and something else to carry as well!
__
Now what kind of hooks? Well, chain hooks, for 1/4, 5/16 or 3/8" chain? OR slip hooks? Or one slip in the middle, and 2 chain on either end! Or any combo! But wait, if I have a
grapple I need to design it around the center hook! WAIT! The FEL is not exactly Mr. T and adding a bucket-load of hooks and grapples and chains reduces it efficiency! Perhaps D-ring tie downs are in order? Or a hook and 2 D-Rings! I just read one gent recomends 1/4" chain HIGH TEST...there may be merit here. Got to get to engineering the lifting capacities of the FEL and chain strength. If the FEL can not lift more than what 1/4" chain is rated then 1/4" chain it will be. Less weight and mass to carry. I thunk.
Weldable grab hook= Standard Fare
Weldable Grab Hook= Upgraded Fare
Saddle Grab Link = Possibility
WAIT!__Some hooks must be pre-heated prior to welding? Is the material this bucket is made from, doe sit requir pre-heating? Hmmm, were not building Mr. T's Cave here, maybe over thinking it on the pre-heat deal, but considered it must be!
__So before I start cuttin' and weldin' I thunk I must first research the
grapple scene, then I will know what the
grapple is dictating I need for a point of connection base on the bucket, then add hooks to fit I guess.
__I saw an electronic valve made by Rexroth that can be used with the FEL hydralics. You plumb the FEL hydraulic hoses to the Valve, then to the bucket, from the valve you run a pair of lines to the
grapple. There is a wire to a switch you put on the dash board. The valve either sends fluid to the
grapple, or flip the switch and to the bucket or vice versa. This may be the best way to pull this off, instead of spendy new hand controls and long hoses added etc.
Here is a LINK to member Hill-Billy and an outstanding job he did.
__Many pics herein came from
HERE
__If anyone has done a
grapple I would love ot see what you have done, or a link.
CLICK HERE for one decent thread on another forum for welders on the subject.
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