How do you Crane with a Back Hoe, Proper Chain Attachment?

bialecki · Oct 3, 2007

I occasionally have the need to remove a heavy object from the back of my pickup truck and I would like to use my tractor and back hoe (Kubota B7800 with a Woods BH-70X), versus the FEL. My question is: What is the proper wrapping technique of a chain around the bucket so assure a secure attachment while craning? As well as what length of chain would one recommend to be between the bucket and the end of the chain to minimize sway?

I will be picking up a 6' rear blade soon and the dealer will load it onto my truck, but I want to be prepared to take it off while being safe and without causing any damage to the truck or tractor, etc.

Thanks

GaryM · Oct 3, 2007

Don't have a hoe myself, but most of the TLBs I see on construction sites have a big old grab hook welded to the curve of the bucket.

RobS · Oct 3, 2007

A welded on hook would likely be best but I've run the chain over the back of the bucket and down to a tooth. Loop the chain around said tooth and bring back on the other side of the stick to hook back on itself. Make sure the angle of the bucket won't let the chain slide off the tooth. Much easier to see than describe.

dfkrug · Oct 3, 2007

bialecki:

I think you will find your hoe can't lift very much with the boom.
Why not bring a pallet, have them put the blade on it, then use
FEL forks?

bx23barry · Oct 3, 2007

My backhoe will lift more than the fel will.

I can lift the front wheels of the ground pretty easy

so be sure to get a big load in the bucket.

3RRL · Oct 4, 2007

Here's what I use on my backhoe buckets.
Both buckets have them facing so I can curl to tighten the load which brings it closer to the dipper stick for more lift. One has them facing both ways for far out work when I uncurl.

bialecki · Oct 6, 2007

3RRL said:
Here's what I use on my backhoe buckets.
Both buckets have them facing so I can curl to tighten the load which brings it closer to the dipper stick for more lift. One has them facing both ways for far out work when I uncurl.

I like your setup, indeed the chain will be secure with the welded on hooks to your bucket. What weight can you lift with your setup, especialy with the boom extended?

Thanks

john_bud · Oct 6, 2007

bialecki said:
I like your setup, indeed the chain will be secure with the welded on hooks to your bucket. What weight can you lift with your setup, especialy with the boom extended?

Thanks

The chain hook on the back side of the bucket is correct as Rob shows. You typically would want to start with the boom up all the way the dipper stick down and bucket curled. Hook on to the load and attach to the bucket mounted hook with the chain going along the BACK side of the bucket. Then extend the dipper stick to raise the load. The bucket can be "uncurled" to raise the load more.

For your back blade in the truck. Back the tractor to the truck with the boom up and the dipperstick horizontal. Lower the stick with bucket curled to hook the chain. Raise the stick to clear the truck bed. Have a helper at the truck bed to keep the blade from rotating. Or, once the blade is just off the bed, have someone drive the truck away.

My old hoe's (1963 Ford 723 model 19-301) sales documentation shows 2050# to full height. I doubt that it can do that much currently, but it does move 12 cu-ft of wet sand pretty easily. The only thing is the stabilizers sinking into the ground if you're not careful!