Lifting heavy with a center hook is a great way to bend your bucket. Doing it the way I described distributes the weight between the strongest bucket lifting locations.
It depends on the machine doesn't it? But even with a 1.5 yard bucket on a commercial duty machine it is best practice to keep the load centered. Going to the sides is inviting disaster. The bigger the machine the greater the disaster.
On the B7100 when I work it I watch the bucket. If the top of the bucket changes relative to the machine I stop and figure something else out. And on that rig I
don't have to think about chains or cables breaking and killing me. On the big unit it is a major consideration. But the big machine is over built. I have hit a big, deep boulder in 2nd and it threw me into the steering wheel as in dead stop. 20,000 lbs. Ya adjust what you do after something like that.
SCUTs and other bigger stuff, be really careful.
If you don't have the power to ease or push into it you don't ram it.
For the record the big rig has a factory triangle on the loader bucket for a chain hook. I am careful with it. On the SCUT I have a single welded hook in the center. There is no way I would hurt either machine if I was watching and moving within the machine's limits.