I just took delivery of a NH TC40DA wednesday. I needed to move several implements including a disc, rake, box blade, rotary cutter and rock bucket to safe spot about 80 yards from delivery spot. If one of the the hydraulic toplink hoses was not leaking vigorously when first tested after delivery, no problem since most are 3-pt tools. No manual toplink available at the time, either. Decided to use bucket hooks and chains to very slowly mooch the pieces across clear flat ground to resting spot. I had to raise the bucket fairly high to get equipment moved, but left the pieces barely scraping the ground. Wanted to avoid pendulum effect of swinging equipment. This approach seems like the safest possible, short of waiting for the toplink to be redelivered. What do the safety police think??
CARRYING WITH BUCKET HOOKS
- Thread starter flINTLOCK
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mjarrels
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Risk assessment... I never lift using bucket hooks (I have one on each side). I only use the hooks to secure chain for holding large items in bucket like 55 gallon barrels. When lifting, I will curl bucket and place chain hooks on the lip (cutting edge) on each side. My hooks are welded good but I don't trust them for heavy loads. Just my .02.
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RoyJackson
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I do use the hooks to move implements.
With my rotary cutter, I get as close to the cutter's 3PH hook up frame as possible (bucket in the dump position...maybe not full dump), then rig the chain from one bucket hook to the cutter frame to the othe bucket hook. I'll raise the bucket enogh to get the front end of the cutter off the ground and tow it to where I want it. I do not lift the cutter completely off the ground even though my loader has the capacity. I do this because of how I store it in the outbuilding. There's no way I can hook up to the 3PH although that's the best way to transport it.
My back blade... Again, the bucket is low and aligned with the 3PH frame...chain it to the bucket hooks and off I go.
In both cases, the implement is just high enough to clear the ground or road.
If you've an old tire, it helps if you tie it to the grill guard...for obvious reasons.
If you do lift any heavy implement, make sure to add air to the front tires.
As far as how you did it...it worked and you typed a post...so I suppose your method was safe enough.
With my rotary cutter, I get as close to the cutter's 3PH hook up frame as possible (bucket in the dump position...maybe not full dump), then rig the chain from one bucket hook to the cutter frame to the othe bucket hook. I'll raise the bucket enogh to get the front end of the cutter off the ground and tow it to where I want it. I do not lift the cutter completely off the ground even though my loader has the capacity. I do this because of how I store it in the outbuilding. There's no way I can hook up to the 3PH although that's the best way to transport it.
My back blade... Again, the bucket is low and aligned with the 3PH frame...chain it to the bucket hooks and off I go.
In both cases, the implement is just high enough to clear the ground or road.
If you've an old tire, it helps if you tie it to the grill guard...for obvious reasons.
If you do lift any heavy implement, make sure to add air to the front tires.
As far as how you did it...it worked and you typed a post...so I suppose your method was safe enough.
AKfish
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I use my bucket hooks to move implements, also. My FEL capacity is (depending upon what date/version of manual..) is right around 1,200 lbs at full-height.
Manual says that the loader will lift around 2,200 lbs at 1.5' high.
The 3/8" hooks have a breaking strength in the neighborhood of 5,000lbs (don't know about the welds, though..)
Long and short of this --- I think my loader would stall before the hooks or chains failed.
More or a question would be safety of attaching the load to the bucket so as the load was balanced and not likely to suddenly shift or tilt.
And of course, "low and slow".
Manual says that the loader will lift around 2,200 lbs at 1.5' high.
The 3/8" hooks have a breaking strength in the neighborhood of 5,000lbs (don't know about the welds, though..)
Long and short of this --- I think my loader would stall before the hooks or chains failed.
More or a question would be safety of attaching the load to the bucket so as the load was balanced and not likely to suddenly shift or tilt.
And of course, "low and slow".
RayH
Banned
I also used my bucket hooks and chain on my Kubota 3130 loader to move implements and other odds and ends around. things that swing and heavy items were carried low enough that I could get them on the ground fast if need be. I dont have hooks on my BX so I used a nylon sling strap wrapped around the bucket to carry stuff.
tuolumne
Gold Member
AKfish said:
A properly executed 1/4" fillet weld has an allowable static load capacity of 3700 lbs. per inch. If you have 2" along each side of the hook and throw in an additional factor of safety of 2 for dynamic loading you still have over 7000 lbs available from your welds. Likely your loaders lift capacity will limit things, not the hooks or welds.
AlanB
Elite Member
We carry all sorts of stuff off the bucket hooks.
I try to always treat stuff like it is going to fall, as in, nobody under or around it, but that is why I have the hooks there.
I am in the camp of, my bucket hooks are stronger then my loader and what they are attached too, and if I do break something, weld it back together.
Usually the failure is not a sudden break away, what has happened so far is the bucket metal has torn around the hooks or the trailer ball. Lets me know what area's to reinforce.
I try to always treat stuff like it is going to fall, as in, nobody under or around it, but that is why I have the hooks there.
I am in the camp of, my bucket hooks are stronger then my loader and what they are attached too, and if I do break something, weld it back together.
Usually the failure is not a sudden break away, what has happened so far is the bucket metal has torn around the hooks or the trailer ball. Lets me know what area's to reinforce.
I carry with my bucket hooks a lot. As much as the bucket can lift (1900 lbs). I worry more about bending the top of the bucket than ripping the hook off. If you got good penetration when you welded it on, the weld is stronger than the steel around it.
scott_vt
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I try to have the least amount of chain hanging free as possible. Push the bucket up close with the lip straight down; hook up the chains; slowly curl the bucket up to a normal position which lifts the item and removes all slack from the chains. Then nothing is swinging or swaying around (hopepfully).
KubotaSteve
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I've moved implements with bucket hooks but didn't like the way it felt with bucket pretty high and ground not being level. Now I just use my clamp on forks. They work a lot better and the bucket is not nearly as high. The only implement I have trouble with is the 5 foot rotary cutter as it wants to see saw on the forks, but then I run a chain to the bucket hooks and it works like a charm.
radman1
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I am like AlanB. Always assume a hook or chain could break. Nobody close to whatever is lifted with loader. I also try to move the load as close as possible to ground. My hand is on the joy stick ready to drop the loader/load if anything starts to fall or tip. Chain as short as possible to whatever you are lifting. Keep load as close to tractor as possible.
browns40
Gold Member
If your hooks were welded properly, don't be shy about using them--I had mine done by a friend who I used to work as a sternman for... 
I've watched him work, and he puts it on generously & well--chipped slag away at least four times on each to be sure to get good solid penetration...
I trusted the welds he made that held a ton over my head on & off all day, so I trust the welds that hold my implements against/in front of the loader.
Two of these held a bouncing MX-5, and 800# of swinging logging winch... as mentioned, if yours were done by a pro your loader will fail first!
I've watched him work, and he puts it on generously & well--chipped slag away at least four times on each to be sure to get good solid penetration...
I trusted the welds he made that held a ton over my head on & off all day, so I trust the welds that hold my implements against/in front of the loader.
Two of these held a bouncing MX-5, and 800# of swinging logging winch... as mentioned, if yours were done by a pro your loader will fail first!
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AlanB
Elite Member
mboulais said:
That is what I guess I was trying to say and did not communicate well.
IE. the bucket steel itself is the weak part of the equation, my welds hold, and the hooks certainly hold, but the 1/8" or 3/16th of the bucket itself is the weak link in my system.
TonyS
Bronze Member
we carry loads of stuff with the bucket hooks - but a lot more carefully now since a culvert , lifted with chains on the hooks fell back and hit the hood. as the bucket raised the hook angle changed and the chains slipped out.
The lift from FEL is too good to waste but watch the chains and hooks as much as the load
The lift from FEL is too good to waste but watch the chains and hooks as much as the load
soarkrebel1
Silver Member
I carry implements with mine all the time. It is the most useful thing on the tractor.
Just make sure you feel comfortable. at first you will be uneasy about it but once you know what your doing it will be second nature.
REMEMBER SLOWWWWWWWWWW!!!
Don't get in hurry and feel the load if it feels bad put it down.
When I go to our other place (120 acres) I load implements on the trailer with the FEL.
Just make sure you feel comfortable. at first you will be uneasy about it but once you know what your doing it will be second nature.
REMEMBER SLOWWWWWWWWWW!!!
Don't get in hurry and feel the load if it feels bad put it down.
When I go to our other place (120 acres) I load implements on the trailer with the FEL.
ToadHill
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I agree with most. I carry all kinds of stuff with bucket hooks and chains. If I have to lift the bucket higher than eye level, I usually move the item in reverse just for a safer trip.
mjarrels said:
Thats because regular "proof" chain at the local Lowes or Homedepot isn't rated for lifting. You can buy rated chain, but it costs more. Generally no one here is going to lift anything 3/8" "proof" chain can't handle.
