Loader chain hooks

[BobQ]

I want to put some chain hooks on my loader, any ideas as to what to get and where to get them?

Thanks Bob

 

[ronjhall]

I like AW Direct. Click Here
Click one Towing. Then click Chain Hardware - Links & Shackles.

 

[flusher]

I had the dealer weld chain hooks on the bucket (B7510HST/LA302 FEL).

I bought the hooks from AW Direct. The two outer hooks are Grade 40 Weldable Towing Grab Hooks. The center one is a Gunnebo-Johnson Weld-on Anchor Hook (also from AW Direct).

Be sure to weld stiffening on the bucket before you attach the chain hooks (you can see this on my bucket).

 

[IslandTractor]

Another photo with three hooks. Two 5/16ths chain hooks welded at edges of bucket and a 3/8 inch hook in the middle with a support piece.

You should be able to get all of these materials from just about any tractor dealer or outdoor power dealer.

 

[flusher]

You'll find a lot of neat uses for your bucket hooks. For example---

 

[bncsauve]

I learned a neat use for the choke hooks at the ends of the bucket the other day. Hang a chain, choked at each with the loop almost to the bottom of the bucket. You can then drive up to large rocks with the bucket dumped letting the looped chain hang behind the rock you want to pick up. rotate the bucket back and lower it. With a little practice you can pull the rock into the bucket and drive away. Its alot easier than trying to scoop up a large rock.

 

[BobQ]

Thanks for the great ideas! I started over the weekend and realized I needed stuff from the welding supply house, they were closed for the holiday weekend. I will post my pics when finished.

Thanks Bob

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I had the dealer weld chain hooks on the bucket (B7510HST/LA302 FEL). )</font>

While hooks welded in this orientation are useful in a variety of
situations caution should be used when the torque of the tractor
is being applied in reverse. In this case it is better to run the chain
under the bucket and up around the back to whatever hook/loops
are being used. Doing so the bucket can be driven against
its roll-back mechanical stop thus preventing reverse stress loading
of the hydraulics. Perhaps more important is this will lower the
effective center of gravity when operating in 4WD and is less
likely to cause the tractor lift/roll forward.

 

[3RRL]

Hmmm...
Interesting observation...
Could you eloborate more on your statement, please?
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Doing so the bucket can be driven against its roll-back mechanical stop thus preventing reverse stress loading of the hydraulics.)</font>
Especially the "reverse stress loading of the hydraulics"?
Thanks,

 

[Gumby6]

Sorry Uhmgawa,

But you lost me a bit too, I have read and re-read your explanation...

And understand your "reverse stress loading" statement. Although when working a setup like Flusher's example the bucket is useful to provide vertical alignment/support of the sample lift.

But, why would 4WD CG be different than 2WD?

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hmmm...
Interesting observation...
Could you eloborate more on your statement, please?

> Doing so the bucket can be driven against its roll-back mechanical
> stop thus preventing reverse stress loading of the hydraulics.

Especially the "reverse stress loading of the hydraulics"?
)</font>

The torque of the tractor applied to a hydraulic
cylinder can exceed the design pressure of the system.
This is particularly true of impact loads where the
pressure relief valve may not be able to vent
sufficient fluid volume quickly enough to protect
system components.

A safer approach when pulling/pushing with a
loader bucket where the generated force is applied
rotationally to the bucket (eg: via chain) is to rotate
the bucket to either of its mechanical stops. Doing so
the force applied is seen by the mechanical stop rather
than transmitted to a hydraulic cylinder.

The above scenario is similar to the caution against
applying full horizontal torque of the tractor to a
bucket edge situated at a vertical 90*.

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Sorry Uhmgawa,

But you lost me a bit too, I have read and re-read your explanation...

And understand your "reverse stress loading" statement. Although when working a setup like Flusher's example the bucket is useful to provide vertical alignment/support of the sample lift.)</font>

That scenario isn't as much of a concern as the load is
fixed and not impact-applied. Ie: you either lift the load
or the relief valve vents. In this case the loader/hydraulic
system is able to protect itself per design.

As a contrived example to the contrary for the same scenario,
if you were to strike the bottom of the wall on the foundation
while the tractor was traveling horizontally you could
impact load the hydraulic system beyond its design limit.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( But, why would 4WD CG be different than 2WD?)</font>

Operating in 4WD the front axle can generate sufficient
torque to lift the rear end of the tractor. This is also the
reason chains should be routed around the back of a loader
bucket and exit under the bucket, with the bucket positioned
as low as possible. Attaching a chain directly to the top of a
bucket creates greater mechanical advantage to lift the rear
end as well as the ability to do so by increasing traction of the
front tires. Chains routed via the bucket bottom are also
marginally safer in the case of breakage.