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It's a good question, as discussion of hoisting will always remind you of what and what not to do, reinforcing common sense and safety when doing so. A loader with a hook on the top of the bucket and or a pair of forks is one of the most useful pieces of equipment to have. There are so many occasions where you can use one for lifting things. Common sense is key to it, along with knowing your machine's limits. Centering the load, neatly rigging the item to be picked, not making sudden movements, staying out from the path of the hoisted item if it were to fall, keeping the hydrualics in good working order, replacing hoses before they burst is common sense to many but something to know for those who are not experienced. I spent a lot of time in the site work field, as an equipment operator on some interesting earth work and underground utility projects, as well as supervising ironworker crews with cranes up to 300 ton capacity, the experience goes a long way in ones off hours. The dangerous thing is you get used to having all that available power and capacity, have to rememeber to scale it back when at home with say an ag tractor with loader. At home and at the farm, I am constantly using a loader for hoisting, the one at the farm is a light duty quick tach on a 30 hp I'll say compact tractor. That one I can feel what is too heavy or off center and or easily recognize something questionable to lift, it has wheel weights and is strong for it's size but if you do something like make a quick move or on uneven ground, I know it will go over easily. I can pick my 7 foot wide tandem discs with it, but I don't pick and carry something that heavy, too dangerous, can back a truck under the load. ONE thing to remember is that most loaders will settle with weight on and the tractor running. This one does slightly. The one I use at home, is on an old 850 Ford, the frame was broke in a few places and even then, the design of it ( wagner with 4 double acting cylinders and front pump ) held until I repaired it. You could see the stresses from picking a load, after I reinforced it, it did not flex so much. A far cry from some of the powerful equipment I've operated, but the experience really comes in handy. I've cleared some trees and brush, opened up all the perimeters on our place that had overgrown for 20 years, done earthwork, landscaping, hoist implements, my welder, snow removal, using care and taking my time, staying within the limits of the tractor. A small utility tractor like or similar to mine with loaded tires and a very heavy but low profile cast iron counter weight ( looks made for a tractor, unlike the bulky 55 gallon drum with concrete many use ) really does the job. Granted the front end on this particular model is really not meant for a loader, ( and is worn, will replace the center pin-bushing soon ) it proves to be fine for the weekend warrior. As worn and abused as mine was when I got it, it's still rebuildable and has performed beyond what I ever expected. At some point and industrial model with a heavier front end will be necessary. Stay on level ground, use the correct rigging and methods, don't get greedy, keep things in good working order, keep any help away from the load, use common sense, and don't make sudden moves, you should not have any problems, but always remember that it is possible for a hose to burst, rigging can fail, and a tractor can turn over, this goes hand in hand with not getting too greedy when making a pick.
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