Bucket Hooks Hooks on FEL

[RussMan]

OK fellas, I am on here only occasionally so bear with me. I am sure there has been discussion about attaching hooks on a FEL to lift "stuff" ("stuff" is everything you never thought you would use your FEL for but once you own it you realize hey - I can lift this too). I am not a welder but can operate a drill, so I am thinking a hook that could be bolted onto the FEL. So can you advise me where can I buy this type of hook, if they are available?

 

[N80]

You can get bolt on hooks from 4 wheel drive supply places. They're not common, but they're out there. I have put them on various trucks and they work fine, but I took a different route with my FEL:

I got these at Northern Tool and they're rated at something like 15,000 pounds. Someone has mentioned that this is misleading since that is the breaking point, not the safe use rating which is much lower, something like 4000 pounds...which is far in excess of what my loader can lift which is about 1800 pounds. so, for most smaller tractors they should be more than strong enough. I used grade 8 bolts. I put two on the back of the bucket.

These work great with straps and chains. No welding. Very cheap.

 

[Egon]

You could also bolt a piece of chain to the FEL and then hook the chain hooks on that.

 

[ninefinger]

I did the same thing as N80. Just be sure to put some plates on the inside of your bucket if you need them. Happy with mine, do not lift a lot, mostly just secure stuff that I transport with the fel.

 

[Damifino]

I bought a set of bolt on hooks at northern tool, item # 14160, easy to install and I beleive they are rated 10,000lbs each.

 

[N80]

Yep, those are what I had put on one of my trucks. I wish someone made bolt on chain grab hooks like that.

 

[TEAM_ORANGE]

I bolted a set of Jeep front tow hooks to my FEL and they work great. They are rated at 10K Lbs each and cost around $14.00

 

[moeh1]

I'm pretty sure awdirect has some bolt on hooks. I bolted on angle iron that runs the length of the bucket. I cut slots into the vertical side of the angle iron that the chain link will directly drop into instead of attaching separate hooks. Works for me.

 

[BamaJDfan]

what about bolting on a receiver and then you can install and remove several items like hooks, hitches, winches, etc. At $25 it's a bit more expensive (add the "hooks, hitches, winches, etc") but provides much more capability.

 

[N80]

I think they do have bolt on hooks, but not chain grab hooks. They do sell 'banjo' plates and a slotted escutcheon sort of thing too, but those are both weld on.

I think if someone would make bolt on grab hooks that there would be a good market for them amongst those of us who do not weld.