Forks Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get

allen in texas · Jul 16, 2013

My tractor is a Grand L5740 with an 854 loader. What capacity, what brand, notched fork locators or sliding bar type? Length of forks? width and thickness. I don't abuse my equipment but I don't baby it either.
Is that enough questions?

allen in texas · Jul 16, 2013

Shoot!!! Just noticed a sticky about pallet forks. Guess I'll read all that

allen in texas · Jul 16, 2013

Ok read the entire thread didn't find what I wanted to know...

gwdixon · Jul 16, 2013

allen in texas said:
Ok read the entire thread didn't find what I wanted to know...

There wasn't an answer to your questions anywhere?

Buy the stock Kubota forks that are made for the L5740. They are expensive but quite sturdy.

Mine are mostly used for heavy logs but they come in handy for a multitude of uses.

adirondackmtnman · Jul 16, 2013

gwdixon said:
There wasn't an answer to your questions anywhere?

Buy the stock Kubota forks that are made for the L5740. They are expensive but quite sturdy.

Mine are mostly used for heavy logs but they come in handy for a multitude of uses.

Those look pretty identical to my frontier forks...probably made in the same factory...pretty darn sturdy if you ask me...

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

powerscol · Jul 16, 2013

Try and find an ANSUNG dealer. I have their Terraforce 42 inch for my Bobcat CT235. Perfect match. You do not need much more capacity in the fork than you can lift. The ones I have are the sliding notch type. Best investment I have made yet.

The best suggestion I can make is visit you local AGG dealers that rent equipment. Looks at the brands they rent and the sizes they recommend for your tractor. I got a sweet deal on a used set.

Hope this helps

Xfaxman · Jul 16, 2013

I prefer the sliding bar type, because on uneven ground the tips are free to be at different heights.

I put a chain around one or both forks for dumping brush or trees.

They are 42" long, but I am looking for longer ones.

paulwestski · Jul 16, 2013

I second the sliding bar type.
I was raised on the sliding bar type and find them much more versatile.
My tractor came with the notched bar type and I really don't care for them. I would like to replace them with the sliding bar type.

Zebrafive · Jul 16, 2013

I vote for the notched bar (non floating) vs the bar type (floating).
The round bars are too easy to bend. then your forks do not line up with each other.
You can not use the forks to (floating) to press down, like a brush pile.
Floating forks are easier to side under a pallet for less experienced user.

I am not familiar with your loader model. What is it's capacity?
I would get at least 42" long that will work with std pallets. 48" long might be easier to see the ends of the forks from the seat.
1 1/2" thick x 4" wide forks capacity is 5500lbs at 24" and weigh about 100lbs each. 48" will be about 10lbs more each.

94BULLITT · Jul 16, 2013

I vote for the rail type pallet forks that latch in place. You can dump something of off them if you want to. I have a set of lofflin forks for a Skid steer. They are 4500lb capacity. I would check around and see what all of the local dealers have. The mahindra dealer here now has so knock Bobcat forks. They look nice.

Here are mine

hslogger · Jul 16, 2013

I have the Land Pride forks rated at 2100 lbs. That is more than my L4400 can pickup. I think they are well built and their line of equipment has a fine reputation. I bought them from the local kubota dealer.

Dozernut · Jul 17, 2013

I like the notched bar type personally. Like Zebrafive said the sliding rod can bend. Do not get a cheap, light weight set, they are too easy to bend. I have a light set that are sprung from loading heavy logs onto my band mill. For a little more money I could have got a better set of forks, I now have more money in forks than I should of had to spend . Your tractor will lift over 1800 lbs. so I would go with a set rated for 2500 lbs.

Xfaxman · Jul 17, 2013

Zebrafive said:
I vote for the notched bar (non floating) vs the bar type (floating).
The round bars are too easy to bend. then your forks do not line up with each other.
You can not use the forks to (floating) to press down, like a brush pile.
Floating forks are easier to side under a pallet for less experienced user.
.............

With a loose chain around the fork they will press down and float enough for uneven ground.
I have had those forks for over 25 years, on several machines and have never bent a round bar. I did bend this frame when I tried to pick up too much weight, but it didn't bend the bar.

94BULLITT said:
I vote for the rail type pallet forks that latch in place. You can dump something of off them if you want to.
.............

Look at the chain on the fork

, if you can't dump something off of that, then gravity quit working!

I also have rail type forks that I built the frame for about 30 years ago.

Piston · Jul 17, 2013

allen in texas said:
My tractor is a Grand L5740 with an 854 loader. What capacity, what brand, notched fork locators or sliding bar type? Length of forks? width and thickness. I don't abuse my equipment but I don't baby it either.
Is that enough questions?

What will you be using them for? Pallets, or logs/brush/everything else?

I have both forks and grapple, the only time I use forks is for pallets. The grapple does EVERYTHING else!

dirt ditch · Jul 17, 2013

My 48" Horst Welding forks are well made and rated for 3700 lbs. This set has the JD quick attach mount but others are available. I paid $600 new for them.

Horst Welding 3700 LB forks

View attachment 327899 View attachment 327900

allen in texas · Jul 17, 2013

Wow! Lot of info overnight. Lots of votes for both types. I'm still undecided. I have borrowed a set of forks from my brother in law. Sure made short work of cleaning up behind my barn. I moved just about everything and that is what I will be using my forks for, everything and anything. I don't like his forks because I can't see through them. The back guard or what ever you call it is a plate of steel with holes cut in it. I'm going to make sure mine is made in such a way as to be able to see through it.
I have a funny for you guys. (stupid maybe).
I tried to move a pallet of brick that probably had 1500 brick on it. I couldn't pick it up. The last time I tried to lift something too heavy, it lifted my rear tires off the ground. This time it just bypassed the hydraulics and wouldn't do anything. I thought "Oh crap, something is wrong with my tractor". I had a buddy bring me a 3000 PSI gauge and I was all prepared the check my hydraulic pressure. Well while I was showing him where I was going to put the gauge on one of my rear remotes, I spied the wheel weights I had added not long ago, 630 pounds of weight to be exact. There ain't nothing wrong with my hydraulic pressure, I just have a lot of ballast in the rear now. LOL

(and I know someone will make a smart remark about my "rear" ballast)

I got another pallet and split the brick between the two, moved that with no problem. I had originally set the brick there with a case 580 super K with forks. It can lift a bit more than my 5740.

94BULLITT · Jul 17, 2013

Get a pallet mover for the 3PH also. Once you get a set of forks you be palletizing everthything.

Baby Grand · Jul 17, 2013

94BULLITT said:
Get a pallet mover for the 3PH also. Once you get a set of forks you be palletizing everthything.

I added 3ph pins and a bracket for pinning the top link to my FEL forks. Lift capacity on the TPH is great for moving pallets of green, split firewood.

paulwestski · Jul 17, 2013

I'll have to disagree with bending the round pin.
Every rough terrain forklift I've operated had the forks pivot on a round pin.
I never once bent the pin, bent a fork once but never the pin.

If you're working on uneven ground not nice flat graded stone or concrete, the non pivoting forks are difficult to use.

Now the lightweight forks for a skid steer or compact tractor may not have a big enough pin that could bend.
Most compact tractors don't have enough lift capacity to bend the pin.
:2cents: