What do you do with your forks?

PhysAssist · Dec 29, 2014

jodebg said:
my pallet forks are on 90% of the time. The bucket is really only good for scooping the forks come in handy all the time. I use them during the winter to bring pallets full if split firewood to the porch

I read this on other TBN threads recently...having the forks mounted more often than the bucket. Originally I was going to purchase a set of clamp on forks for occasional use. Now, I am thinking that I may use than more than I thought and may want to purchase a better set. Thought this thread would bring me up to speed on how they are used by the guys who use them everyday.
I don't have a QA bucket set up, so I am trying to figure out the best way to mount a better set of forks. Don't know if the pin on style is practical-difficult to swap out?
Also, interested in the make and models that forum members are happy with, how they are mounted, and photos too. Thanks-John.[/QUOTE]

Hey Jode,

If you are going with forks that attach to your bucket, think seriously about getting the chain-on type, they don't pivot or move sideways like clamp ons can.

I didn't research your tractor or loader's capacities, but it is hard to find a better deal for chain-on forks than The Yankee Warehouse (at yankeewarehouse.net), where we got ours. They currently sell for $159 + shipping, and for their 42" useable length, they are rated for 3500#.

We have used ours for lifting anything and everything that they can fit under or be chained to... Including rocks, brush, our log splitter (palletized from Lowes), our pallet bags of firewood, pallets of logs, logs awaiting bucking to length, the rear of one of our cars, the window A/C unit, tires, and anything else my old back is too old, sore and tired to carry into our barn/garage, or basement, or lift into or out of our truck bed.

We never seem to get around to taking many pictures, though I keep trying to remember to do so.

I'll have to resynch my phone and see if the ones we had taken are still on there.
T

jodebg · Dec 29, 2014

[Hi Tom-

Thanks for the photos. I have a few basic questions.

If I purchase the Kubota QA, will they fit many attachments or just Kubota brand attachments?

I am looking for a set of forks. So with the Kubota set, what type of forks would I look for-pin on forks?
Will different aftermarket companies (ie Titan) forks fit onto this QA?

Thanks!

QUOTE=TomSeller;3990125]There are quite a number, but I think the John Deere and Kubota styles were fairly common.[/QUOTE]

TomSeller · Dec 29, 2014

jodebg said:
[Hi Tom-

Thanks for the photos. I have a few basic questions.

If I purchase the Kubota QA, will they fit many attachments or just Kubota brand attachments?

I am looking for a set of forks. So with the Kubota set, what type of forks would I look for-pin on forks?
Will different aftermarket companies (ie Titan) forks fit onto this QA?

Thanks!

QUOTE=TomSeller;3990125]There are quite a number, but I think the John Deere and Kubota styles were fairly common.

[/QUOTE]

Each style is specific. So if you purchase the Kubota or Deere style for your tractor's FEL, you will need to purchase that style attachment which will limit your choices and likely drive your costs up. SSQA is more widely adopted and many more attachments are made for it. Titan does make some John Deere style attachments. I have not looked for any Kubota forks.

Garandman · Dec 29, 2014

Kubota SSQA attachments are widely available. Getting SSQA was the smartest thing I did.

We use forks to pick up snowmobiles and load them in the truck, and easily move large logs

And large rocks

With relative ease.

TomSeller · Dec 29, 2014

Garandman said:
Kubota SSQA attachments are widely available. Getting SSQA was the smartest thing I did.
.

Kubota's own style or SSQA style? This is a video of someone with Kubota's style. The last time I was at a Kubota shop, all they had was SSQA on their tractors, that shop went away from selling Kubota's design.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuktqggNDCw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

jodebg · Dec 29, 2014

Do you have a photo of the ssqa set up on your tractor, with the forks or bucket mounted? Thanks
What brand are your forks?

Garandman said:
Kubota SSQA attachments are widely available. Getting SSQA was the smartest thing I did.

We use forks to pick up snowmobiles and load them in the truck, and easily move large logs

And large rocks

With relative ease.

gwdixon · Dec 29, 2014

Although you didn't ask me:

Garandman · Dec 29, 2014

jodebg said:
Do you have a photo of the ssqa set up on your tractor, with the forks or bucket mounted? Thanks
What brand are your forks?

Forks from Everything Attachments.

metalcaster · Dec 29, 2014

As an earlier post stated, I have the forks on almost as much as the bucket. I use it to move hay into the barn and then to the feeder; pick up down logs, move stall mats, move lumber, aerate the compost pile. My forks are from a 5000# forklift so I've also used them to get under small trees and shrubs to up root them.

Xfaxman · Dec 29, 2014

jodebg said:
-------------------------------

I read this on other TBN threads recently...having the forks mounted more often than the bucket. Originally I was going to purchase a set of clamp on forks for occasional use. Now, I am thinking that I may use than more than I thought and may want to purchase a better set. Thought this thread would bring me up to speed on how they are used by the guys who use them everyday.
I don't have a QA bucket set up, so I am trying to figure out the best way to mount a better set of forks. Don't know if the pin on style is practical-difficult to swap out?
Also, interested in the make and models that forum members are happy with, how they are mounted, and photos too. Thanks-John.

I suggest that you remove your pin on bucket and put it back on. That will show you if it is worth having a QA.

My FEL is pin on and to make it easier to swap attachments, I set them on a dolly. Put the pins in the arms first, then do the cylinders, lining it up with the curl valve.