Number and placement of bucket shackle and grab hooks?

[Timmer92]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a bigger Kubota tractor and am trying to figure out what kind of conveniences I might add. I was thinking of adding clevis and shackles, and/or grab hooks to the bucket. I was looking at ones from Ken's Bolt on Grab Hooks <<Kubota Hooks>>. If I hadn't seen pictures of the shackles, I would likely have put one grab hook in the middle and a grab hook further out on each side. I'm thinking I might be missing uses for the shackles. I'm relatively new to tractors and hobby farming. How many of which type and what placement makes good sense for whatever task might come up?

Post update - just so people know, I do have a drawbar on my 3pt hitch with a shackle. This is more about lifting.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[bcp]

Put a hitch receiver in the center, then you can have many different inserts with hooks, shackles, loops, hitches, bottle openers, etc.

Bruce

 

[jeff9366]

I had Ken's bolt on 5/16" grab hooks and a center shackle ring on my Kubota B3300SU. I almost never used the center ring.

I have a pair of Ken's weld on 5/16" grab hooks on my current Kubota L3560, where L2296 HD bucket could not take bolt on hooks.

Hooks should be in line with Loader arms. Only moderate stress should be applied to FEL when pulling or you may part out your FEL.

Greater stress should be applied to the rear center drawbar or cross drawbar which are designed for pulling applications.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...rs-cross-drawbars-illuminated.html?highlight=

 

[Roadworthy]

I've got an L2501 with the LA525 loader. I put two hooks on my bucket, one ahead of each hydraulic rem. I did not add the clevis hooks as I figured I could easily add them later if needed. I rarely find a need to attach something to my bucket.

 

[old and tired]

It all depends on your tasks you do... I did get a tooth bar which gave me something to wrap the chain around to lift stuff and it also made digging into undisturbed dirt much easier. If you plan to dig into the earth, a tooth bar can do double duty.

Since getting a bolt on grapple, I rarely chain things up to the FEL. Instead I just clamp down with the grapple and pick up whatever I want. It great for moving brush or rocks (again depends on what you need to do). My (rearly used) chain down hooks are actually mounted to my bolt on grapple.

The bolt on grapple (onto the bucket) still lets you use the bucket but also lets you clamp onto and pick up a whole lot of stuff. If you are looking into "conveniences", I love my bolt on grapple.

My next go to "convenience" item would be, TnT... Hydraulic top and side tilt (but only if you need to maintain roads).

 

[Timmer92]

Put a hitch receiver in the center, then you can have many different inserts with hooks, shackles, loops, hitches, bottle openers, etc. Bruce

What did you use and/or how did you connect it? I have looked online at clamp-on bucket receivers, but there is a lot of feedback that it won't stay put.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have never been a fan of putting any kind of lifting device in the center of an FEL. I have seen too many of them bend and bowed in the middle from lifting heavy loads and suspending them from the middle hook.
I put mine in line with the lift cylinders on each side. If I need to lift a heavy load and have it centered, I make a bridle attached to each side then hook the chain so I have it equal distance from each side with a single drop. Sometimes this requires additional chain but it keeps the load centered and the force equal on both side hooks.

 

[WranglerX]

THis is what I did.... Seems to work for me...







Just two chain slot "hooks" made for 2x2x1/4 angle iron and a EYE for shackel in center.. All depends what sort of "work" you expect to do...

Dale

 

[bcp]

Here's one:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/161029-bolt-hook-fel-post1846259.html#post1846259

The BX bucket is a little different, having just one cylinder in the center with a reinforced back wall in the center. I placed a D-ring there, with a grab hook attached.

I have a receiver that bolts to the lower edge with 2 bolts, and whatever insert I use is braced to the D-ring. I found this used homemade insert, turned the ball over, and added the U-bolt for the turnbuckle. It is very solid and I can see the ball while seated. I also can use a short boom made of 2-inch tubing, braced to the D-ring. The system really needs the brace to the D-ring as it is very flexible without it.

The receiver doesn't interfere with a quick job of scooping loose dirt or gravel, and can be removed and a tooth bar installed for more serious digging. The receiver can by on or off in less than a minute.

Bruce

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

I went with 4 weld on hooks, one at each top corner, and one each at the loader arm point on the bucket. I use them frequently to lift and carry things, and occasionally to tie off something to steady it while moving.