Fork modification

[Mighty Dodge]

When I built my forks I realized I should have built in more curl when they're all the way down. After an embarrassing mishap that I won't go into I decided I'd better modify the forks. I bumped the bottom out three inches. They work much better now.

M.D.

 

[bx24]

I find it a very rare (and valuable) trait for someone to acknowledge they messed up. Nice simple mod and some priceless experience. Thanks for sharing your mistakes ... your little blunder will save someone out there from making a similar one

 

[Mighty Dodge]

They worked fine before but when going down a slight incline thing(s) could roll off the forks. Just letting folks know if they're going to build their own be sure to bump out the bottom of the frame.

M.D.

 

[beenthere]

Are you saying on the original design, when the curl was all the way "back" that the forks were level with the ground, so you needed to fix that?

I've the Deere forks, and have never noticed a problem, and will have to check now to see what position they are when "curled back".

Looks like you have a good build there.

 

[pat32rf]

Same loader, same problem, but slightly different forks. I "solved" it by mounting the horizontal section of the forks at an upward angle, but in doing so I changed the 90 deg angle to the back bracket to about 75deg. Fine for logs but a PIA for things like fridges and stoves.
Wish I'd seen yours three years back.....

 

[kennyd]

MD, don't feel bad-mine have the same problem. Gotta get out my welder soon to fix them, I am just going to put spacers on the plates that hold the pins though.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Are you saying on the original design, when the curl was all the way "back" that the forks were level with the ground, so you needed to fix that?

I've the Deere forks, and have never noticed a problem, and will have to check now to see what position they are when "curled back".

Looks like you have a good build there.

Yes, when all the way down they had only a slight curl back. I added a piece of three inch angle iron to give them more curl.

M.D.

 

[J_J]

For some reason, I am not understanding the logic of built in tilt. Do your buckets and/or forks not have a downward curl of about 25 to 45 degrees, and an upward curl of about 45 degrees? On my Power-Trac, I can curl the forks down to about 45 degrees, and curl up about 45 degrees. I have noticed some buckets already have some angle on the bucket, using up some curl that would be available if it had a 90 degree back. The bottom of my forks are locked into a slot so I can put down pressure on them. I have a set of forks where the bottoms are not locked down, but very seldom use them.

 

[lostcause]

i haven't had the same problem yet, but it has been running through my mind. i've got a pair of bare forks i picked up at the scrap yard and i'm goign to rig them up soon. i decided i'd re-work the bucket at the same time and go with a ssqa setup for both.

i plan on cutting the ears off the back of the bucket and using them to make the ssqa mount. biggest issue is that my bucket (jd770 w/70 loader) is not vertical on the back, but instead tilts forward, so the geometry of the mounting ears from the bucket is not ideal for the forks. if i compensate to allow the forks to tilt back enough, i may not be able to dump the bucket fully.

i'm thinking i may have to build the back of the bucket out to be true vertical and make the ssqa mount face vertical too. it will give me more distance from the pivot to the bucket and probably reduce my bucket capacity a little, but i don't know if there's any other way around it. i assume all ssqa attachments are designed with a vertical mount, so if i want to be able to use others, i weill have to make mine match.

 

[kennyd]

i haven't had the same problem yet, but it has been running through my mind. i've got a pair of bare forks i picked up at the scrap yard and i'm goign to rig them up soon. i decided i'd re-work the bucket at the same time and go with a ssqa setup for both.

i plan on cutting the ears off the back of the bucket and using them to make the ssqa mount. biggest issue is that my bucket (jd770 w/70 loader) is not vertical on the back, but instead tilts forward, so the geometry of the mounting ears from the bucket is not ideal for the forks. if i compensate to allow the forks to tilt back enough, i may not be able to dump the bucket fully.

i'm thinking i may have to build the back of the bucket out to be true vertical and make the ssqa mount face vertical too. it will give me more distance from the pivot to the bucket and probably reduce my bucket capacity a little, but i don't know if there's any other way around it. i assume all ssqa attachments are designed with a vertical mount, so if i want to be able to use others, i weill have to make mine match.

The problem (with mine at least) is that the "shoes" on the loader are not 90* to the ground when the loader is fully lowered and the dump cylinders retracted. The frame I made has the mounts 90* to the ground when the forks are level...so the lower pins must be moved back (away frome the forks) some. I believe this is the same trouble MD is having.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

The problem (with mine at least) is that the "shoes" on the loader are not 90* to the ground when the loader is fully lowered and the dump cylinders retracted. The frame I made has the mounts 90* to the ground when the forks are level...so the lower pins must be moved back (away frome the forks) some. I believe this is the same trouble MD is having.

Not any more!

M.D.

 

[kennyd]

I fixed mine today...Much better now:thumbsup: Even added three hooks to the frame since I had the welder out.

Thanks to MD for shaming me into finally doing it

 

[kennyd]

i haven't had the same problem yet, but it has been running through my mind. i've got a pair of bare forks i picked up at the scrap yard and i'm goign to rig them up soon. i decided i'd re-work the bucket at the same time and go with a ssqa setup for both.

i plan on cutting the ears off the back of the bucket and using them to make the ssqa mount. biggest issue is that my bucket (jd770 w/70 loader) is not vertical on the back, but instead tilts forward, so the geometry of the mounting ears from the bucket is not ideal for the forks. if i compensate to allow the forks to tilt back enough, i may not be able to dump the bucket fully.

i'm thinking i may have to build the back of the bucket out to be true vertical and make the ssqa mount face vertical too. it will give me more distance from the pivot to the bucket and probably reduce my bucket capacity a little, but i don't know if there's any other way around it. i assume all ssqa attachments are designed with a vertical mount, so if i want to be able to use others, i weill have to make mine match.

LC, why not go with the JDQA? it's a lot lighter and easier to build than the SSQA...A perfect match for your machine.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I think you will like having more curl ability with your forks, Also Kennyd you should like having the hooks, I added a hook to each side and a clevis in the center on mine.

 

[lostcause]

LC, why not go with the JDQA? it's a lot lighter and easier to build than the SSQA...A perfect match for your machine.

i'd like it to match machines other than mine too. i think i'll get more use out of it having it ssqa. plus, if i ever change brands, i can keep the forks intact. also, i've seen some narrow skid steer buckets that are much better for loading than mine. it'll just give me a better selection of attachments around here.

actually, here's the latest sketch of my plans. i believe that i too will probably rethink the attachment a little. i'm not sure the angle is enough.

 

[dcyrilc]

i'd like it to match machines other than mine too. i think i'll get more use out of it having it ssqa. plus, if i ever change brands, i can keep the forks intact. also, i've seen some narrow skid steer buckets that are much better for loading than mine. it'll just give me a better selection of attachments around here.

actually, here's the latest sketch of my plans. i believe that i too will probably rethink the attachment a little. i'm not sure the angle is enough.

Nice drawings!:thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

i'd like it to match machines other than mine too. i think i'll get more use out of it having it ssqa. plus, if i ever change brands, i can keep the forks intact. also, i've seen some narrow skid steer buckets that are much better for loading than mine. it'll just give me a better selection of attachments around here.

actually, here's the latest sketch of my plans. i believe that i too will probably rethink the attachment a little. i'm not sure the angle is enough.

Just watch the weight carefully, you don't have much lift capacity to loose:thumbsup:

 

[lostcause]

Nice drawings!:thumbsup:

thanks. i missed the autocad boom when i was in school - cad took off soon after i was out, and my meager school experience with it was like v9, and i back then i was more of a student of modern chemistry, if you know what i mean.

where i used to work we needed to create simple 2d files for cnc plate fabrication machines, and we ended up using a package called drafix. it was the only thing i really ever learned to use effectively (aside from a $15,000 per seat steel detailing package) years later i was trying to find an old copy of drafix for my home projects, and somehow i came across a story about how autodesk bought it and repackaged it as autosketch. i just purchased an outdated version of autosketch a couple months ago on ebay for $29 + $3 shipping. beats the $250 price for the new version, not to mention that i'm already very proficient with it

 

[lostcause]

Just watch the weight carefully, you don't have much lift capacity to loose:thumbsup:

oh yeah, i know all about it. i think i have like 750lbs rated capacity in the bucket. it's gotta be close to that, cause i just picked up my rf-30 mill/drill and that's supposed to be 650lb. i'm also a rabid advocate of not overbuilding anything. i don't use 1/2" plate when 1/4" will do. i may not be a qualified engineer, but in 18 years working for a very large steel fabricator, i'd like to think i picked up a few things.

i also tend to shy away from anything that is advertised as "homemade heavy duty" because generally the only thing you can count on is that it will be heavy. usually you have to upsize your tow vehicle to haul it home. the thing many people don't realize is that using heavier steel does not necessarily make it stronger, but it is guaranteed to make it heavier. understanding how to utilize the proper shape and bracing is what will make it stronger.

 

[toy]

Lostcause you said that you missed the autocad boom that it took off after you got out of school, don't feel bad, I missed the electric type writer boom. I think it took off about a decade after I got out of school.