Grab Hooks a Cheap Enhancement to Any Tractor Bucket
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- Опубліковано 1 кві 2020
- Had a question from Larry who has noticed that I have welded hooks on the top of my loader bucket. He wanted to know, what are they, where did they come from and what do you use them for?
Those are grab hooks and are used a lot around machinery as a place to anchor chains when lifting is done. Those grab hooks came from the dealership I used to work at, when I bought the tractor I told the guys in the shop to weld some grab hooks on the bucket, which was a pretty common practice, and I'm not sure where they got them, but they're readily available from a lot of sources. You'll find lots of choices if you Google "grab hooks." They're used for lifting and, especially if you don't have a set of pallet forks, I highly recommended installing them.
Without grab hooks, the tendency when lifting, is to wrap a chain around the bucket and then around the load. The problem with that is the chain can rotate around the center of the bucket and make the load hard to control. With grab hooks, the chain stays locked in place, and when the chain is placed over the lip of the bucket, curling it forward can extend the load out. So, if you were loading a bunch of logs on a flatbed trailer and you wanted to put one in the center, you could position is there by curling your bucket back and extending the load.
I have grab hooks on both ends of the loader bucket with one in the center. That middle hook gets in the way of my Add-A-Grapple, so if I had it to do over, I'd probably buy one more grab hook and position one on each end and then two about five inches either side of the center point of the bucket. Seems to me that would cover about any need.
Grab hooks are a great low-cost addition to any tractor. I don't use mine as much as some people because I tend to put my pallet forks on when moving things, but especially if you don't have pallet forks, put those grab hooks on and it'll help you lift and move heavy items and get them exactly where you want them.
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5/16 hooks are the best size because they will grab 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 chain. Food for thought
if you are g0ing to pull with the hooks they should be mounted inside the bucket, because if the chain or rope breaks it will smash into the bucket not your face. I have hooks on my bucket lip but they are for securing a load not pulling it. do this and you will be safe. D links mounted in the bucket is the best way to do it. Also pull with your draw bar unless you are forced to use your bucket, they are not designed for pulling, just lifting. Thanks for the video Mike.
Mike - FYI - a comment, if I can help out, about where to put the hooks on your bucket. The recommendation for the strongest hook location on the bucket is to line up the hooks (as reasonably possible) where the FEL arms attach to the bucket itself. The ends and the middle are not supported nearly as much as the attachment points. More metal, more structure, better mount point, better lift capability. Thanks for the informational videos.
Neat idea - learned something new today
Love your channel! Funny, I just talked about weld-on grab hooks in my latest video too. Thanks for all you do for the tractor UA-cam community!
Mike, thank you for not only telling but also showing. Well done!
Good video Mike. On my Kubota I welded a grab hook in the middle and D rings on each side inline with the loader arms. Very handy to have
Hooks on a bucket open up so many more possibilities for the tractor. I also have a receiver on my bucket and that too has also opened up another set of possibilities. With the added receiver I have made a second lighter bucket and now I can hall twice as much fire wood. Thanks so much to the tractor community for all your help.
I purchased three grab hooks and had them installed when I bought my tractor too. Use them several times per month. I agree, though, pallet forks are the best attachment but sometimes the hooks can do things that the forks can't. Keep up the great work. Love your videos.
Do you want to know why I love these videos? Of course you do. Tractor guys find little tricks and simple solutions to solving daily problems, and then they pass them on to each other. Oh, yeah - and hydraulics may be modern man's greatest invention.
Like the Artillian pallet system, you can also add grab hooks to your pallet fork frame to use chain to stabilize and retain loads as well. I will be doing that myself soon.
I also have three grab hooks welded to my bucket, two are in line with the loader arms and one in the middle. Furthermore I have two welded to the back of my box scraper and use those for skidding trees out of my wood lot. Also on my forks I have a hook on each side for securing loads, adding hooks to your tractor turns it into a swiss army knife.
Hello Mike. Really enjoy your videos. I have a small 20 acre "farm" in Missouri and purchased a 1972 JD 2030 last year. Absolutely love that tractor and I was lucky that it came with a JD 48 FEL. She runs "like a Deere" and I am hoping to get many years of service from her. Fortunately for me, my bucket came with hooks already welded on and I have used them several times. I don't know that much about tractors (am learning though) but, the hooks have come in handy. My chains I use are a bit "beefier" than what you use but, it was what the farmer I bought it from advised me to get. So far, no problems, just heavier to lift. Good idea about the bucket. I wrote you a while back about the fire extinguisher and am hoping to see that sometime in one of your videos. Thanks again for all the advice!
Best addition so far for me was when I welded the grab hooks on my bucket. I don’t have forks or a grapple (eventually I will though lol). Very handy for loading implements onto a trailer and for pulling fence posts. Great video!
Thanks Mike. Good info and the hooks will help if you have no grapple or forks. Have a fine week.
Good advice about grab hooks. I really like the tip about the bucket/lid and chains.
An absolute must makes your tractor more capable, handy and safe I put hooks on everything bucket, pallet fork frame etc
I ended up doing the bolt ons and work great. They suggested placing them inline with the hydraulic cylinders instead of the ends of the bucket though.
I bought a brand new JD 55 hp tractor this year. I had a welder weld three hooks to the top of my bucket before I even got in the seat. It's so helpful.
Hooks on a bucket are a must, I highly recommended Kens bolt on hooks, he has great stuff.
Good point about not putting one dead center.
Mike: Love your channel as well. You have confirmed a number of things I have been doing but had only guessed was correct ....as well as one thing I was most definitely doing INCORRECTLY!
Regarding your "chain in a bucket" tip: Great idea if your chain is of significant length. I keep a couple of chains with hooks, each about 6-7 feet long, strung in back of the seat, wrapped around the upright supports on the ROPS, and hooked Out of the way but always convenient if needed. Your thoughts?
The strongest point of your loader, is inline with the loader arms. You can also do bolt on hooks. This is really handy if you do a bolt on eyelet inside your bucket and hooks on top. Weld the hooks and an eyelet to plates with matching holes drill in the plates. For each set you will need to drill 2 holes in your bucket. Then attach shackles (D rings) to the eyelet.
Both are has helpful as a third hand and are even less in the way.
I put them on my bucket and love them enjoy your vedios keep em coming .
Yeah, I need to have some hooks welded onto my bucket. I have a quick attach bucket, and quick attach forks. Love the forks. I use them more than the bucket. I'm going to send the tractor back to the dealer to have a front mounted, quick attach Auger installed. An expensive tool, but I've got a lot of fence to poke holes for.
Hi Mike great video I do'nt use them for lifting any longer. I have forks now. They are still useful for dragging things out of spaces I can not get the tractor into or for pulling down widow makes on the woods edge. Keeps me out of the way with a long chain. ;)
Song birds definitely want attention! Great video Mike!
As always a good video Mike.
Mike ,, You have some great videos.., I have used those weld on hooks for years.. The only thing is you need to weld the hook to a plate then weld the plate to the bucket. This helps distribute the forces applied on the hook to the bucket..
Prior owner to My ‘72 IH 454 loader did not use a small plate and separated the bucket weld on the upper corner. Neighbor set me up with three 4”x4” hooks welded to the plates…and put a nice bead on the separated seam as well.
Really nice to see some green grass and dandelions! East Central MN seems to be about a month behind you. What size chain is that 20 footer you showed? Cheers!
Mike forgot to mention another option for pallet forks if you don't have a quick attach: forks that clamp on to your bucket.
When I had to move lots of logs around a few years back .. a grab hook was essential.
I'm really looking to add grab hooks on my bucket, but I'm thinking of doing a grab hook towards both ends and a D-ring in the middle instead of a grab hook in the middle. If need to hook chain at the mid point, I can run it through the d-ring and over to one side or the other to hook into a grab hook.
I welded mine where yours are but some people including Paul Short say they should be down inside the bucket to prevent straight whip back without a barrier. He says construction equipment is that way.
thank you- your advice is fantastic
I got a pair of $99 clam on bucket forks from Amazon years ago that are amazing. Taking off the bucket sucks lol
Extra support even with quick attach forks
They have them in amazon with bolt flanges so bolt and weld.
I use three point hitch pins they also act as a bucket leavel
Put a couple of grab hooks on the pallet fork guard too.
I have been told to put the grab hooks inline with the loader arms
Hello Ed, did the folks that told you to line up the hooks with the loader arms specifically say why?
I bought a grapple I figured it was less effort to pick up and go without a chain but yeah there is a substantial added cost for a 3rd function and grapple
Nice! I'm gonna add hooks. Are bolt on hooks efficient too?
We use the hook for pulling T posts.
You may call me lazy but I don't like changing implements even though I have the quick change system. I have a pair of clamp on pallet forks that keep coming off. I also don't like a bunch of implements laying around.
I have an extra large ammo bucket mounted to box blade for tools & chain etc. Hi & dry.
Even if you have a grapple or pallet forks, grab hooks are extremely useful for other things. Most common use is pulling out T-posts/fence posts when they need moving or replacement. Another is moving things that don't quite fit into a bucket but may not be secure enough on pallet forks, e.g., 55-gal drums. So long as you can get the lip of the bucket partially under the item to be moved, chains around the item will keep it secure against the bucket. I've also used chains/grab hooks to pull out dead/dying fruit trees of 4-6 inch diameter, roots and all, to avoid having to dig them out.
I've got a single grab hook in the middle of the bucket, and one D-ring on each side. IMO, the best placement of the D-rings (or hooks, if that's what you prefer) that are not centered is directly in line with the loader arms.
Peter, Great comments and ideas you've posted here. As a JD Newbie I need all the ideas I can find ! Just got an '08 24 hp 2305 with FEL & 64" belly mower. And just test mounted a HF Quick Hitch, mainly to add ballast , rear forks & some kinda blade to level off the driveway and crick Lot , That got flooded 10 years ago. The lots for my retirement cabin-in-the-woods😁😎
Man that bird is talking right over you🤣
Can you add grapple to 555e backhoe?
Wouldn't it be safer to have the grab hooks welded to the inside back of the bucket instead of on top? If a rope or chain breaks, the attached part to the inside of the bucket would seem to collect the whipping back part and go inside the bucket instead of maybe going over the bucket top and back to the operator.
what is the inside dimension of a 3/8" grab hook?
Those would have been nice to have on our bucket when we would pull a motor out of a tractor
Ні Mike!! Interesting video! Super tractor!! 🤝🤝💪💪👍👍🚜🚜🚜
Does that bird have a mic, too?
Best $20 you’ll ever spend in your life. Get weldable hooks. Available on Amazon.
Hi Mike or someone who can make a comment. Do u think it will hurt the electrical or electronics on a piece of equipment luckily my johndeer and gehl skidsteer buckets came off easy for me to weld hooks on. I have a 580 case super l backhoe and like to weld hooks on the front bucket and don't want to take bucket off.
Disconnect the battery and place the ground lead on the bucket near the weld area and you’ll be fine.
It’s easy for a novice to tweek your loader with the hooks on the ends. Be careful!
As I was told by the dealer, happens too often. He welded one dead center because too many people bend the loader. Once it's bent you're screwed.
about $9 on amazon
D-Rings... I like D-Rings better, but actually have both. ;)
I put three 10k lb tow hooks on my bucket, and IMO that's one of the first add ons a tractor needs. Throw in a set of skidding tongs and you can lift and move some serious logs when they're flat on the ground and you can't get a chain around them. 👍
I'd prefer D rings on the top of bucket and use hooks on spear frame. The extra weight of bucket and chains on front edge of bucket is not something I really care for.
A lot of tractors sold with a loader come with a bolt on cutting edge which really adds rigidity to the bucket and makes the front lip much more robust.
That's a great way to bend your loader arm pistons.
No loader bucket should be without grab hooks. Use mine alot.
this chain grade is not suitable for lifting loads