New B2301 - Question Using FEL to lift

Bloomj · Apr 26, 2016

Hello everyone!

I recently purchased a Kubota B2301 with FEL and a Woods PHD. I've been having a lot of fun moving dirt, planting trees, bushes, etc.

I know it may not be ideal but I'm going to use the FEL to move some items. For example I borrowed a 54" pulverizer the other day and used a ratchet strap around the bucket to lift it off of the trailer. I was a bit concerned about bending the bucket but it worked out fine. The pulverizer weighs about 500# according to Woods' website.

My question is, how do you lift with the bucket? Do you have hooks? Do you run a strap around it? Is there a better way to do this?

Thanks,

Joshua

Burtonbr · Apr 26, 2016

Bucket hooks make it much easier to lift things, there are many pictures posted of the different options you have to either weld on or bolt on, this thread shows many of them. http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13166

I use mine constantly.

rkidd · Apr 26, 2016

The best and safest way to lift with your bucket is to use hooks whether they are bolt on or welded on. That way the load is secure to not damage your bucket or something else. You generally need a ballast box on the 3pt when lifting to keep your tractor stable. I like 2 hooks in line with the loader arms for lifting wider unstable loads and an excavator type hook in the center that you can use chains straps or cables as that is where you will do most of your lifting from.

View attachment 22046

Grandad4 · Apr 26, 2016

If you go with that center hook, be sure to reinforce the top of the bucket, as that curled top lip can bend in the center under enough load. The hooks on the ends are stronger but you have to rig a chain between the hooks to make a single point lift. Rkidd's photo shows a nice setup.

alansz400 · Apr 26, 2016

I built a bracket on my FEL that holds a rear 3 pt. quick hitch I just used it last night to unload a 5ft. brush hog off the trailer and to move my finish mower around. I also have a 3 pt. carry all that works like light weight pallet forks.

Here is the build thread
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22530

85Hokie · Apr 26, 2016

Get in touch with Kenny on this site - he makes some very nice bolt on hooks - for the price and convenience - it is a bargain.

I would high recommend 5/16 hooks and PLACING them inline with the arms too!

Bloomj · Apr 26, 2016

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into hooks. Anyone used the Bxpanded hooks? How do I find Kenny?

North Idaho Wolfman · Apr 26, 2016

Kenny link:
http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/member.php?u=14981

RonBoyBX25D · Apr 26, 2016

Here is a link to his website, there are videos on the site & YouTube. The BXpanded are nice too, very flexible & strong. My dealer welded 2 hooks on the bucket in line with the arms, as above go with 5/16 grab hooks there. I need to get one in the middle yet & plan on Kenny's. Need to figure out the extras I want to order.

http://www.boltonhooks.com/index.html

CountryBumkin · Apr 27, 2016

RonBoyBX25D said:
Here is a link to his website, there are videos on the site & YouTube. The BXpanded are nice too, very flexible & strong. My dealer welded 2 hooks on the bucket in line with the arms, as above go with 5/16 grab hooks there. I need to get one in the middle yet & plan on Kenny's. Need to figure out the extras I want to order.

http://www.boltonhooks.com/index.html

I read that the BX FEL/bucket is easy to twist, so you have to be sure to spread the load evenly between two hooks. If you just used one hook (say to pull a stump) you can twist the bucket.

After reading this, I decided to just mount one hook in the middle. That's good enough for pulling something with a chain or lifting something that is balanced. The load on the bucket and arms will always be even this way. However it would make "picking up and carrying" some loads more difficult.

TripleR · Apr 27, 2016

As mentioned, hooks are really handy. A set of pallet forks is even better. Ken offers bolt on as well as weldable hooks, many come with necessary spacers.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/186929-using-loader-chains-etc.html

rtgt · Apr 27, 2016

I made a bracket for the bucket lip on my B3200 60" bucket for Kenny's Bolt on Hooks.

I chose to use the bolt on hook so that if I wanted I could swap to the Bolt on Clevis Eye if needed.

Bloomj · Apr 28, 2016

rtgt said:
I made a bracket for the bucket lip on my B3200 60" bucket for Kenny's Bolt on Hooks.

I chose to use the bolt on hook so that if I wanted I could swap to the Bolt on Clevis Eye if needed.

I really like the way that looks. Too bad I don't know how to weld...

rkidd · Apr 28, 2016

rtgt said:
I made a bracket for the bucket lip on my B3200 60" bucket for Kenny's Bolt on Hooks.

I chose to use the bolt on hook so that if I wanted I could swap to the Bolt on Clevis Eye if needed.

Nice job on your bracket. Looks good!

aeronutt · Apr 28, 2016

Bloomj said:
I really like the way that looks. Too bad I don't know how to weld...

Welding skill is easy to rent. Print that picture, take it and the bucket to a professional welding shop, write a check. Done.

That's a 30 minute job for a professional and you're pretty much guaranteed that it will be done right.

rtgt · Apr 29, 2016

Bloomj said:
I really like the way that looks. Too bad I don't know how to weld...

Thanks. All truth be known, I really don't know how to weld either... I've never had any formal training other than dad showing me a little bit and giving me a pile of scrap to play with.

From a simple How to Weld book to all of the information on the internet it isn't hard to pick up and it is a fun hobby.

rkidd said:
Nice job on your bracket. Looks good!

Thank you.

aeronutt said:
Welding skill is easy to rent. Print that picture, take it and the bucket to a professional welding shop, write a check. Done.

That's a 30 minute job for a professional and you're pretty much guaranteed that it will be done right.

That is why I posted it. Copy away.

rjcorazza · Apr 30, 2016

Another vote for Ken's Bolt On Hooks. He spent a considerable amount of time getting me set up, and rigorously tests everything. I ended up with 3 bolt on grab hooks on my bucket, and a couple of chain-end locking hooks (forget what they are called).
Very nice guy.

CaveCreekRay · Apr 30, 2016

Bolt-on hooks are a great idea....

I have been moving boulders a bunch and use Harbor Freight 6000 lb straps and a 10,000lb binder strap. I use 14' HF chains with hooks attached to the same location to pull trees and posts out of the ground. NEVER hook to the lower bucket edge as you will damage or bend it. Always use the upper frame, like this...

Here's the chains...

Ray

Kennyd4110 · Apr 30, 2016

rjcorazza said:
Another vote for Ken's Bolt On Hooks. He spent a considerable amount of time getting me set up, and rigorously tests everything. I ended up with 3 bolt on grab hooks on my bucket, and a couple of chain-end locking hooks (forget what they are called).
Very nice guy.

Thank you sir! It was a pleasure meeting with you!

Those hooks are called "Twist Lock" hooks, available in grab or slip configuration.

armylifer · May 5, 2016

CaveCreekRay said:
Bolt-on hooks are a great idea....

I have been moving boulders a bunch and use Harbor Freight 6000 lb straps and a 10,000lb binder strap. I use 14' HF chains with hooks attached to the same location to pull trees and posts out of the ground. NEVER hook to the lower bucket edge as you will damage or bend it. Always use the upper frame, like this...

Here's the chains...

Ray

Ray, did you grind that piece out of the bucket where your chain hook is located (your second picture)? I am wondering about the strength at that point and if you made that cut so that the hook does not slip when hauling a load?

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