FEL chain/lifting hooks

Tarmy

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L2800, BH76A, FEL,box scraper
Nov 17, 2009
397
252
63
Lake Almanor, Ca
I have a L2900 w/FEL and want to add hooks to use for chaining up or lifting with the bucket. I am interested in ideas about wether to weld or bolt the hook on ...and where to put them...likely uses are to secure something in bucket...dragging something...lifting something out of my pick-up...also does having a hook attached to my backhoe bucket cause any problems?
 

GWD

Member

Equipment
M7040, L48 TLB, BX2200
Jan 8, 2010
792
12
18
Northern California
My choice is to weld hooks onto a flat plate, maybe 4" x 3" and then weld the plate to the bucket. Special hooks are made just for the purpose. Google "weld on grab hook". There are straight ones and ones set at an angle.

Weld them between the arms of the FEL or directly in line with them. Hooks outside have a tendency to skew the arms if heavily loaded. Plus, lifting from there makes the tractor tippy.

Look at where the chain will go over the top edge of the bucket. If it is a standard bucket with a bend over the top, rather that a heavy tube, see if you can find a piece of pipe to weld into the fold so when the chain is loaded it won't crush the bucket's edge.

Use whatever support and braces that are already on the bucket to choose the hook's location. They will supply more strength.

Consider a hook on the back of the bucket closer to the front of the tractor. You will get more lifting leverage there but there is an additional danger of something swinging into the tractor. Hopefully you have or are considering a radiator guard.

A hook on the backhoe bucket is no problem. Use 3/8" hooks at a minimum. A backhoe can yank quite hard. Obviously, attach it to the back of the bucket to keep it out of the dirt. There is no reasonable way to bolt one on to a backhoe bucket so be prepared for some welding.
 

Eric McCarthy

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota B6100E
Dec 21, 2009
5,223
6
0
42
Richmond Va
I'm with GWD on this, bracing and support is the key. My father has 3 chain grab hooks welded on the front edge of his bucket. 2 smaller one's on both edge's and a larger one in the middle. They make a world of difference in all kinds of situations. From moving attachments to pulling out small trees anything you want to lift and move. Check out www.awdirect.com for grab hooks. They have a huge selection and are tailored to the wrecker and recovery industry, so they have some heavy duty toys for the big trucks.