Pallet Forks?

[newbury]

It's a trade off between $$ and ease of use.
Ideally I'd have a separate tractor and barn for each implement, with a staff to maintain it all.
But I don't have the $$.

I've clamp ons for each tractor (B7610 and M4700) neither have SSQA. Have not carried any REAL heavy loads at the end of the forks.

IF you need to use pallet forks daily I wouldn't recommend. But if your like me and only need them several times a year, if that, I'd say save the money.

For me to have SSQA added, another valve added, both buckets changed to SSQA, buy 2 sets of SSQA forks (tractors are 900 miles apart) etc. etc. it would cost thousands in this day and age.

If you buy the clamp ons definitely either get the spreader bar or "jury rig" one (You can get by with a good 2x6 and a couple of flat U-bolts).

 

[rScotty]

Add a valve? Not necessary. There's no real need for a valve involved with a SSQA anymore than there is with a 3pt hitch. Couple of levers is all it takes. Of course I only have SSQA on one tractor - the others are still pin-on buckets so I can't preach.....except that I am now a believer in SSQA & use that tractor all the time while the rest just sit.

As for doing things the fastest inexpensive and easy way - that's how I was raised so I did that for 50 years. Until I finally noticed that the projects I took the time to put together the right way from the beginning ended up costing less and lasting longer.

And now being old enough to have figured out a few things I am astounded at what I got away with for decades before finally getting hurt.....but I eventually did.
You can undo stupidity, but can't undo the results.
rScotty

 

[4570Man]

Add a valve? Not necessary. There's no real need for a valve involved with a SSQA anymore than there is with a 3pt hitch. Couple of levers is all it takes. Of course I only have SSQA on one tractor - the others are still pin-on buckets so I can't preach.....except that I am now a believer in SSQA & use that tractor all the time while the rest just sit.

As for doing things the fastest inexpensive and easy way - that's how I was raised so I did that for 50 years. Until I finally noticed that the projects I took the time to put together the right way from the beginning ended up costing less and lasting longer.

And now being old enough to have figured out a few things I am astounded at what I got away with for decades before finally getting hurt.....but I eventually did.
You can undo stupidity, but can't undo the results.
rScotty

My skid steer is hydraulic powered on the pins on the SSQA. When a SSQA manual lever is working properly it’s not a big deal but they’re usually tweaked a little bit and require a fight to get on. Also the hydraulic one eliminates brush from unlatching it. I probably wouldn’t take the effort to convert a manual frame to a hydraulic frame but if you have it it’s nice.

 

[keony]

Between the clamp on forks and the SSQA forks are these chain on forks, spreads the load on the bucket, I have these, good quality and work well. Has a hole for a spreader bar but I haven't needed one. Good service on the sale and delivery: Bucket Pallet Forks - Pair

 

[deezler]

Clamp on forks might work depending on how high your standards are but they’ll never work well.

You're not wrong, per se, but I do this all the time with my clamp on forks. My bucket would probably be pretty tweaked if I didn't have the iowa-farms toothbar on there reinforcing the lip (my forks actually clamp directly onto the toothbar steel). But the forks go on/off easily, and carry loads like this quite reliably. That said! I am upgrading to a new tractor with SSQA and real forks very soon.

 

[deezler]

I thought of one advantage that I like with the bolt on forks - I can install them at the very outside edges of my bucket, to get them nearly 60" apart. This is really nice when moving large logs, for side-to-side stability. Narrow forks make logs much more tipsy.

 

[oldballs]

As a rule I clamp my forks in line with the hydraulic cylinders for heavy loads so as to avoid damage to the FEL arms.

 

[newbury]

I thought of one advantage that I like with the bolt on forks - I can install them at the very outside edges of my bucket, to get them nearly 60" apart. This is really nice when moving large logs, for side-to-side stability. Narrow forks make logs much more tipsy.

Also you can buy another set etc. and have 4 or more forks!
When I had my tractors co-located I tried that when moving a lot of various sized limbs.
When I use my forks I also USUALLY use a chain or rope also for stabilizing the load.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

I have had both. Clamp on is better than nothing.

I have used both clamp on a quick attach forks, the ssqa are easiest for me to use. Visibilty is much better and the load capacity is better with the ssqa.

Currently using my 3 point hitch forks on the bucket, chained by the top link to the bucket. For lighter loads they are "better than nothing".

 

[r porter]

i had a set i used for a couple years until i got a quick attach set.

the stabilizer bar and chains are necessary for the forks so they wont turn or swivel. i did get a lot of use out of them but i get more use out of the ones i have now.