Clamp On Bucket Forks

[mjfox6]

I've wanted some clamp on bucket forks for quite a while. In fact, I joined TBN so that I could send a PM to Madreferee and get his plans for building a set. A year later I decided to make it happen. I researched companies online and read lots of info on TBN to find out why people were unhappy. I thought about buying a set, but I could not find a set that employed more than one clamping mechanism. Also, for the price they want, I was sure I could fabricate a set cheaper (I'm scared to add it up, but I don't think I saved very much!).

Thanks to Madreferee for his initial plan wherever he may be. Some major redesign and lots of hours of fabrication and here is what I ended up making...

 

[Zick]

Very nice!
Any problems with keeping them straight?
I heard others complaining that the clamp on style would angle from side to side if you put any side load on them.

 

[vic4news]

Those look really good. Maybe this winter I'll get around to making a set.

What did you use for the T-handle bolts?

Vic

 

[bialecki]

Thanks to Madreferee for his initial plan wherever he may be. Some major redesign and lots of hours of fabrication and here is what I ended up making...
View attachment 103972

View attachment 103973

Madreferee passed away I think last April 07, many on this site have missed him.

 

[mjfox6]

Very nice!
Any problems with keeping them straight?
I heard others complaining that the clamp on style would angle from side to side if you put any side load on them.

That was the major complaint that I saw, that is why I used two clamps. I grabbed the tips and shook them back and forth without them moving. It's a major advantage over the one clamp version everyone sells. Wonder how long before someone sells a two clamp version now? Tell them to send me a check!

 

[mjfox6]

Those look really good. Maybe this winter I'll get around to making a set.

What did you use for the T-handle bolts?

Vic

I tried to keep the number of materials to as few as possible. That meant I had 1" rod (where the lip of the bucket clamps), so I used that as the handle. I wanted 1" all-thread to match, but decided to go ahead and spend the extra money (and it was A LOT extra) and buy ACME threaded rod. It works better in dirty environments.

 

[mjfox6]

Madreferee passed away I think last April 07, many on this site have missed him.

That's why I said, "wherever he may be." I just wanted people that knew him to know I used his basic design and joined TBN because he offered it to everyone that wanted it.

 

[AchingBack]

Great design! I like how you are able to leave the toothbar in place.

 

[jinman]

That's why I said, "wherever he may be." I just wanted people that knew him to know I used his basic design and joined TBN because he offered it to everyone that wanted it.

Somewhere out there, Madreferee is smiling. Nice job!

 

[LBrown59]

Very nice!
Any problems with keeping them straight?
I heard others complaining that the clamp on style would angle from side to side if you put any side load on them.

they can do that but it's not a big problem most time.

 

[suncoast]

Did you get the "Acme" threaded rod from your local steel supplier or what was your source? And What is the female portion for the rod. Gene

 

[mjfox6]

Did you get the "Acme" threaded rod from your local steel supplier or what was your source? And What is the female portion for the rod. Gene

The acme rod and the nuts (welded to the channel) were both from McMaster-Carr.

 

[Zick]

they can do that but it's not a big problem most time.

Yeah cause moving something to the side with the forks and then having one of your forks crooked makes it so easy to pick up the next thing.

 

[Chuck K.]

Really nice job. I wanted to build a set myself but did not have time and purchased a set of Paynes clamp on forks. The double clamp should help keep the forks straight never thought about that approach. I was going to attempt to increase the contact area where the fork fits to the cutting edge. My thinking was if I could lengthen this contact area the forks would be less likely to move...

 

[LBrown59]

Yeah cause moving something to the side with the forks and then having one of your forks crooked makes it so easy to pick up the next thing.

Come on zack give it some slack
It's not a major issue.

 

[LBrown59]

Really nice job. I wanted to build a set myself but did not have time and purchased a set of Paynes clamp on forks. The double clamp should help keep the forks straight never thought about that approach. I was going to attempt to increase the contact area where the fork fits to the cutting edge. My thinking was if I could lengthen this contact area the forks would be less likely to move...

On a scale of 1-10 how annoying do you find this movement?
With me It's 1 maybe less.

 

[Timber]

I use my bucket fork all the time. Some times they move and most of the time it in never a problem. I have regular forklifts at work and I get on and off them more to slide the forks around than I do on my tractor

 

[Chuck K.]

On a scale of 1-10 how annoying do you find this movement?
With me It's 1 maybe less.

As long as I approached what ever I am picking up straight it was not that big of a problem.. Maybe I am not as skilled as you but I would rate it ~4 or so.

Giving it more thought the lack of seeing the forks is probably more of an issue. I mostly use my clamp on forks for loads like this:



They work great for trimming/removing. Larger heavier items go into the bucket, the big bushy stuff lays across the clamp ons

If I am actually moving pallets or heavy loads I get out my QA pallet forks.

 

[Bedlam]

One way to keep them from moving would be to weld a small piece of pipe to them horizontal on the backer plate, and then have a smaller diameter pipe that would slide through the pieces. I use electrical conduit for mine and that worked well.

 

[rokee101]

Love This Site.. enjoy sharing some of my experience and ideas...
Here's my custom bucket fork attachment, simple quick connect and welded on chain hooks. easy to build... enjoy