Using Kubota BX quick attach for lifting

[rusty1778]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to get some thoughts on something I've been considering. I just got a kubota quick attach system and a set of pallet forks for my BX25 and noticed that the center pin on the bucket/forks is picked up by a very big heavy duty hook on the quick attach bracket. I was thinking that hook would be a perfect thing to sling something heavy from and lift it when the forks/bucket are not attached. It would put all the weight at the rear pins and you wouldn't have the weight of the bucket/forks so lifting capacity should be increased. What are your thoughts on this? Would do it, would think about it lots before trying, you're crazy for even thinking about it. Just looking for some opinions.

In fairness even with the forks on it lifts pretty much all I want, it handles the snowblower,tiller and mower deck with ease as long as you have some weight on the rear. This was more of an 'I might need it someday' thought.

Thanks

 

[rusty1778]

Here's a pic of the hook with the centre pin on the forks attached to it.

 

[Toddao]

Why,not

 

[gwdixon]

Not to be overly cautious, but that hook is not of the most heavy duty construction. It looks to be about 3/8 inch plate bent to function as designed.

I probably will do everything you want but lifting with chain / rope around one, or both, of the forks may serve your purposes better.

The weight of the frame doesn't appear too much and the bend in the forks is pretty close to the pins already.

There are also weld-on grab hooks that could be welded at an appropriate place on the frame to accomplish what you want.

 

[rusty1778]

It is pretty surprising, but the frame weighs around 90 lbs. the forks are over 80 lbs each and QA itself is around 50 lbs. It's a pretty heavy duty set up for a small tractor so a heavy lift with them reduces capacity significantly. I'm not usually lifting things with the forks over 400 lbs so they were a good buy for me, but I'm sure something heavier will come along some day.

The weld on hooks on the frame is something i've thought of though, I have two welded on my bucket. I'm pretty sure the frame is sturdy enough to take whatever you can throw at it.

 

[bcp]

Make a hanging bracket using the same pin/bolt size as the QA hook is made to fit. Two straps, two bolts, done. No different stresses or dinging up the edges with a chain.



Bruce

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

I wouldn't lift something heavy from ONE of the QA hooks. But if you can rig a strap to roughly balance the weight between the hook on each side, I'm sure it would be fine.

 

[bcp]

I think the BX QA has only one hook in the center, but good advice for others with two hooks.

Bruce

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Ooops. I just now looked at his 2nd pic, and you're right.

 

[Xfaxman]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to get some thoughts on something I've been considering. I just got a kubota quick attach system and a set of pallet forks for my BX25 and noticed that the center pin on the bucket/forks is picked up by a very big heavy duty hook on the quick attach bracket. I was thinking that hook would be a perfect thing to sling something heavy from and lift it when the forks/bucket are not attached. It would put all the weight at the rear pins and you wouldn't have the weight of the bucket/forks so lifting capacity should be increased. What are your thoughts on this? Would do it, would think about it lots before trying, you're crazy for even thinking about it. Just looking for some opinions.

-----------------------------------------

Thanks

I Think it is a good idea :thumbsup:

Check to see if a drawbar hook would work.


Or a wide clevis.


Or make something like this.

 

[Cherokee140]

I have used mine to pick up things with it, or to drag things....nothing real heavy, and it was a well the bucket is off now and I want it moved now type moment. I just moved my little ford mower with it...no bad effects. But usually I have something on the end....the bucket or the grapple.

 

[rusty1778]

I really like the look of those drawbar hooks, I think if nothing else I might try to find a few for the drawbar! Would work good for pulling logs with tongs.

What would be really great is if you could find an old broken/bent/wore out BX bucket, cut off everything except the rear frame with the pin holes, strengthen it up a bit and weld on some lifting lugs. The only problem is you don't see worn out buckets for these machines everyday... at least not where I am.

Thanks for all the input guys, I appreciate it.

I Think it is a good idea :thumbsup:


Check to see if a drawbar hook would work.
View attachment 383621

Or a wide clevis.
View attachment 383622

Or make something like this.
View attachment 383623

 

[ENC]

It must be nice not to lift anything heavy. I run my loader into relief all the time. More than once using my grapple I have had to curl all the way down so the log was under the pins. Then lift to clear the ground travel to the truck or wood pile. Then lift to max height then curl up to be high enough to load over the side. Of course extreme caution is used in these circumstances. Its just the way it is when some days I need a BX and some days I need a full size pay loader.

 

[texasjohn]

You are correct, some day you will need to be able to lift just a tad more and need to remove all possible FEL weight.

My tractor has a different front configuration than yours, but I have dropped the bucket to get sufficient lift capacity before relief valve pops. Made a BIG difference in what I could lift.

When the time comes, I recommend you use chains attached where ever you can do so without damage to hydraulics. The hook you pointed out is a good start, just need to make sure the weight is balanced so things don't slip. Plan for it now and you will need it sooner than you think.

FIRST, make sure you have sufficient rear weight to keep the wheels on the ground....chain the FEL down so it can't move, then try to lift it until the relief valve pops....if your rear end comes off the ground or gets extremely light, proceed NOW to get extra weight...loaded tires or something more back there.

 

[rusty1778]

I've been there before needing more capacity. I took apart an old barn foundation made of quarry stone, one of the stones was big enough I had to get the tractor pointed at a downward angle, use a bar to get it in the bucket, then back up on level ground. Wouldn't lift it but the hydraulics would hold it in place just a few inches off the ground so I could move it to the pile. It was one of those "you shouldn't be doing this to your tractor..." moments. I'll bet if I slung it without the weight of the loader it would have lifted it, and now with QA the bucket is so easy to remove I know I'll try it someday. With the backhoe on the BX I've never been able to bring the rear tires off the ground, it's a pretty heavy attachment for a small tractor. Without it there... the rear tires will come off the ground quite easily carrying a heavy load in the FEL.

You are correct, some day you will need to be able to lift just a tad more and need to remove all possible FEL weight.

My tractor has a different front configuration than yours, but I have dropped the bucket to get sufficient lift capacity before relief valve pops. Made a BIG difference in what I could lift.

When the time comes, I recommend you use chains attached where ever you can do so without damage to hydraulics. The hook you pointed out is a good start, just need to make sure the weight is balanced so things don't slip. Plan for it now and you will need it sooner than you think.

FIRST, make sure you have sufficient rear weight to keep the wheels on the ground....chain the FEL down so it can't move, then try to lift it until the relief valve pops....if your rear end comes off the ground or gets extremely light, proceed NOW to get extra weight...loaded tires or something more back there.

 

[texasjohn]

You have exactly the right idea.
Drop bucket...now lift capacity is increased
Pick up closer to the engine and lift capacity is increased.
You have the weight on the rear.
Next time, you will be able to lift that rock higher...a good thing.

 

[CHDinCT]

I think it's a good idea with the right set up. I would try to lift from where the FEL pins would go normally. Only issue I see is that with the load much closer to the front end you better watch out for the load swinging into your front end, even with the grill guard in place.