Another set of forks

[jimmer2880]

This forum gives me entirely too many ideas. One of those ideas, was to start storing my firewood on skids (still building those). To move those skids/pallets, meant I had an excuse for some forks for my tractor

Because my tractor is only a 19hp, I wanted to make my forks for the 3pt. I looked for used forklift forks for several weeks, but couldn't come up with anything at a decent price (under $200.00). However I did find a used 5,000lb pallet jack for $50.00 (it even works).

What luck I thought, this will be a simple job. I have about 3 hours into the task and only have paint and paint prep left to go.

The forks work great. However, of the 2 pallets I have at my house, the forks won't fit 1 of them. Guess I'll have to be a tad picky on which pallets I use for the bottom.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Very nice!

M.D.

 

[JB4310]

Great use of a salvaged part, originally that had wheels on the front for weight carrying support. not sure how much it can handle like that but should be no problem for pallets of firewood.
JB.

 

[jimmer2880]

Great use of a salvaged part, originally that had wheels on the front for weight carrying support. not sure how much it can handle like that but should be no problem for pallets of firewood.
JB.

Thanks for the nice comments.

I was concerned about that as well. But, then I started doing math. 5,000lb capacity spread across 3 points (2 legs and the big wheels). My little yanmar can't have more than 1,000 lb lift capacity at the 3pt. I went to look at the pallet jack, and it's fairly heavy duty. Then I figured - "If it bends - I'll fix it".

This past summer, I made an adapter that goes where my 48" bucket pins to the FEL. This adapter (like others on this site), allows me to put 3pt attachments on my FEL. My FEL only has a 1,000lb capacity (Koyker 80). I love having the forks on the front, but doubt I'll use it much as that's just too much weight on the front wheels.

 

[Ductape]

Geez Jim......... now you are gonna need a hydraulic top link so you can have true forklift "action".

We have found Jimmer's next project !

 

[jimmer2880]

Geez Jim......... now you are gonna need a hydraulic top link so you can have true forklift "action".

We have found Jimmer's next project !

The tractor is for sale, otherwise I would have the hyd top link this winter. For now, that will have to wait until I can get this one sold and the new one purchased

thanks for the kind words

 

[J_J]

This forum gives me entirely too many ideas. One of those ideas, was to start storing my firewood on skids (still building those). To move those skids/pallets, meant I had an excuse for some forks for my tractor

Because my tractor is only a 19hp, I wanted to make my forks for the 3pt. I looked for used forklift forks for several weeks, but couldn't come up with anything at a decent price (under $200.00). However I did find a used 5,000lb pallet jack for $50.00 (it even works).

What luck I thought, this will be a simple job. I have about 3 hours into the task and only have paint and paint prep left to go.

The forks work great. However, of the 2 pallets I have at my house, the forks won't fit 1 of them. Guess I'll have to be a tad picky on which pallets I use for the bottom.

I did the exact same thing years ago. Since I got my PT, I haven't used the old pallet forks. I built my own pallet to fit.

 

[jimmer2880]

Update: I built my first firewood pallets after seeing someone else on here do it. It turned out better than I thought. I used 48"x48" top and bottom pallets and 48"x42" side pallets, standing 48" tall. Then, I nailed some thick plastic I had left over from previous projects to the top.

I figured that I have a smidgeon under a 1/2 cord of oak loaded up. I did some quick research and found that a cord of dry oak weighs about 3,000 lbs. Going off those numbers, I have about 1,500 lbs of weight on those forks and they did great! Unfortunately, that is about 100 lbs more than what my tractor can pick up I was able to move it the 100 ft I needed to go, using the brakes to steer.

Here's a pic. All-in-all - I'm glad I went with the pallet jack and it appears to be able to stand up to anything I'm going to do with it.

 

[J_J]

Where is the painted version? It will look like a new implement when done. If you get an old steel door, add some brackets to go over the forks, you will have a large carrier.

 

[jimmer2880]

Where is the painted version? It will look like a new implement when done. If you get an old steel door, add some brackets to go over the forks, you will have a large carrier.

It's still not painted (wanted to be sure it wouldn't bend under load). That will probably wait until it gets a tad warmer around here before it gets paint. Good thing there's room in the garage

That's a great idea on the steel door. I'll have to ask around to try to find one.

 

[JB4310]

Unfortunately, that is about 100 lbs more than what my tractor can pick up I was able to move it the 100 ft I needed to go, using the brakes to steer.

Yup, I worked for an old timer contractor, He used to call that "power steering" when you overloaded the old trucks that had no factory PS, the front end got real light making it extra easy to steer, less control though!
JB.

 

[radioman]

Interesting idea! Very well though out and i wouldnt have thought of using the old manual pallet jacks like that.

 

[Baby Grand]

Jimmer -

That's a really great idea - thanks for sharing. I have been wanting a set of rear forks for some time but never thought of using a pallet jack. I still can't get over how simple the conversion looks. Now I simply have to get that stick welder.

- Jim

 

[jimmer2880]

Yup, I worked for an old timer contractor, He used to call that "power steering" when you overloaded the old trucks that had no factory PS, the front end got real light making it extra easy to steer, less control though!
JB.

There were times when the front wheels were in the air a foot or so

I belong to a club along the local river. Several of us have older mobile homes (14'x75') and are in the flood plain. Many years ago we welded an old fork-lift mast to the back of an old Chevy C50. There are many times when I'm pulling trailers that the front wheels don't necessarily have as much grip as they should. But - that old truck is the cats meow for moving those big trailers in and out in a hurry

 

[jimmer2880]

Jimmer -

That's a really great idea - thanks for sharing. I have been wanting a set of rear forks for some time but never thought of using a pallet jack. I still can't get over how simple the conversion looks. Now I simply have to get that stick welder.

- Jim

As much as I'd love to have a good mig, it's simply hard to beat a stick for versatility. I've had my old "Montgomery Wards" brand stick for quite a few years. I'm not sure how I'd work without it.

I bet that if you look around, you may find an old pallet jack that's not working, that someone would donate to your good cause