Forks Skidsteer Express Pallet Forks

[dustinfox]

I was going to post these in the old thread but I didn't think it was fair to keep that thread at the top of the list given the title. If you don't know what I'm talking about, do a search on "Skidsteer Express Grapple." In that thread, I promised to post pictures when I received my pallet forks. I was expecting them next week but the trucking co expedited delivery to make up for losing the last two shipments.

These things look really solid, as solid I'm sure as any others for much more money. They are full sized forks (not the 3" as on similar weight category from other manufacturers). I'm sure it will do everything I need it for and more. Also glad I got the 42" and not the 48." I can't think of any reason why I would need longer forks. The only thing I'm a little concerned with is the gap between the QA plates. This is a pretty huge gap and I don't know if it is an issue or not. This is the same thing that I found with my Wildcat grapple which they sent me shim plates to correct. I don't expect to be doing the rough work with these that I do with the grapple but it still seems like there shouold be a better fit. Look at the photo below and tell me what you think.

 

[k0ua]

Dustin I can not tell enough from the photo, but do the forks move back and forth if you grab them from the front and push and shove back and forth.. in other words do the vertical spring loaded pins have enough of the pin through the slot to be secure and are applying pressure so that the forks and the QA plate are unitized with no slop between them at all. This is what you want. My forks fit too tight on the Kioti, and I had to remove a little of the slot metal about 1/8 of an inch to get the pins to go down enough to break over the handle.

James K0UA

 

[dustinfox]

Dustin I can not tell enough from the photo, but do the forks move back and forth if you grab them from the front and push and shove back and forth.. in other words do the vertical spring loaded pins have enough of the pin through the slot to be secure and are applying pressure so that the forks and the QA plate are unitized with no slop between them at all. This is what you want. My forks fit too tight on the Kioti, and I had to remove a little of the slot metal about 1/8 of an inch to get the pins to go down enough to break over the handle.

James K0UA

There is some slop front-to-back. Maybe hallf an inch. I tried to take some better photos.

 

[wedge40]

Just my :2cents:, but I'd get shims again from the SSE and have them welded on.
It seems to me that SSE has jig alignment issue that should be addressed, or your mating equipment doesn't meet spec.
I'm curious if other people on here who have gotten items from SSE had fit issues as well.
I know I got a plate from them a few years back that need some grinding done on it to get it to fit correct.

Wedge

 

[k0ua]

There is some slop front-to-back. Maybe hallf an inch. I tried to take some better photos.

Well I still think you need to shim it in some way to remove all slop. The vertical pins should contact the slot with pressure and the handle should cam over with some tension.

James K0UA

 

[JoeBuyer]

From experience with their product, this is pretty much the fit you get and you retrofit from there. However, they have a good price and their customer service is getting better, in part thanks to TBN.

 

[schweizer]

I got a QA adapter plate from them when I built my own forklift, and it fit perfectly.

 

[JoeBuyer]

I got a QA adapter plate from them when I built my own forklift, and it fit perfectly.

True, but notice in the close up of his pictures that they don't seem to use their adapter plates on their forks. I have seen both and they are different where the quick attach mates up. The adapter plates do fit as you say and seem to be machine cut and welded. Their pallet forks have gaps, at least in the ones I have seen and look to be a little more hand fabricated and hand welded. But like I said, the prices are good so you have to weigh that out on how you will use the forks. They won't come off from what I have seen, but they are not tight either. I think if they keep up their recent attention to customer service they are a good source for most of us. Just my $0.02

 

[dstig1]

You'll want to shim that tighter or you risk it popping off at a very bad time. Perhaps less likely with forks than a grapple, as forks tend to be used level only, but I'd fix it now rather than find out the hard way. That is way too loose.

 

[devildog1]

That is NOT A CORRECT FIT! Do yourself a favor and be safe and either return them for a better fit or shim so there is no play. Check out these.
DevilDog
X-TREME DUTY PALLET FORK-Standard Frame Regular Lift Pallet Fork

 

[jpm1]

About 3 years ago i bought a set of forks from Skidsteer Express and unlike dustinfox said in his post "I don't expect to be doing the rough work with these that I do with the grapple" Well my set is used differently. They get used and abused very well. I have had absolutely no problems with the forks nor do i expect to have. All i can say is if i do its probably my own fault an i'll have to re-weld something. In my opinion they are a great set, great price and if i needed another set i would buy the same from Skidsteer express.
Heres some pictures of what my forks get used for , in the winter they handle logs everyday and in the summer move equipment, building material and pry out small unwanted trees and clumps of brush. Their a tough piece of steel . . .:thumbsup: . . .John

 

[dustinfox]

About 3 years ago i bought a set of forks from Skidsteer Express and unlike dustinfox said in his post "I don't expect to be doing the rough work with these that I do with the grapple" Well my set is used differently. They get used and abused very well. I have had absolutely no problems with the forks nor do i expect to have. All i can say is if i do its probably my own fault an i'll have to re-weld something. In my opinion they are a great set, great price and if i needed another set i would buy the same from Skidsteer express.
Heres some pictures of what my forks get used for , in the winter they handle logs everyday and in the summer move equipment, building material and pry out small unwanted trees and clumps of brush. Their a tough piece of steel . . .:thumbsup: . . .John

jpm1, If you read my original post, I wasn't saying they were a bad product. I was only questioning the fit on the QA plate. As I said, they are good solid forks and the price is unbeatable. I just don't want them popping off and hurting someone. I will call and see if they have shims I can have welded in place. Easily solved.

 

[JoeBuyer]

If the gap was on a bucket where you back drag or grapple where you backwards pull, I would be more concerned. The ones I saw did not have enough slop to worry about and were on pallet forks where normal usage does not have a lot of backwards force. These look to have a little more gap than the ones I saw and it would help if Titan Skidsteer would tighten up their quality. It sure would eliminate the concern.

Jpm1,
That is an impressive amount of wood you have and you look to be all set for firewood. Since you have used yours a lot, you would know if the forks would ever come off. Do you have the amount of a gap that is shown in the dustinfox's pictures? Have yours ever come off while in use?

 

[bcp]

Check post two for specifications, then check your tractor and forks. Maybe they are both a little off in different directions.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112570-skid-steer-quick-attach-plate.html

Bruce

 

[Hilltop Hillbilly]

I'm curious if other people on here who have gotten items from SSE had fit issues as well.

I just got the exact same forks, ordered the same time as the OP, and they fit my CNH SSQA like a glove. No problems here.

Great product for a great price as far as I call tell so far.


HH

 

[crazyal]

How well does the top "hook" onto the QA plate on your tractor? Does it look like it goes all the way up into the pocket?

 

[dustinfox]

I just got the exact same forks, ordered the same time as the OP, and they fit my CNH SSQA like a glove. No problems here.

Great product for a great price as far as I call tell so far.


HH

So I guess the question becomes, is my Kioti tractor QA is out of spec? Or is the Titan QA out of spec? Or is there that much manufacturing tolerance allowed? One of the three.

 

[dustinfox]

Well I still think you need to shim it in some way to remove all slop. The vertical pins should contact the slot with pressure and the handle should cam over with some tension.

James K0UA

Just looking at the photo again, even with a shim installed, it's not clear if the QA plates would sit flush.

 

[blueriver]

Those are the exact ones I have and have had them for a few years ... fit the same way and I have never shimmed them ... I have forked just about any think you can imagine from logs to equipment ... to pallets loaded with junk.

Never have they dropped off or have I experienced any problems ... tough, durable and well worth the money.

 

[dustinfox]

Those are the exact ones I have and have had them for a few years ... fit the same way and I have never shimmed them ... I have forked just about any think you can imagine from logs to equipment ... to pallets loaded with junk.

Never have they dropped off or have I experienced any problems ... tough, durable and well worth the money.

I wouldn't think it would be a problem, considering that all of the stress comes from lifting. I would be real concerned if it were something like their skidsteer backhoe attachment though.