Clamp on pallet forks

Smf834 · Dec 20, 2021

What is the consensus on those? I just need something to move brush from point a to point b, less than bucket load limitation by far. Or should i still get the qa version?

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steers/pallet-forks-and-accessories/pallet-fork-attachment-with-pallet-fork-blades-–-skid-steer-quick-tach/133210.html

Would it fit my l2501 without any mod?

thanks.

Doughknob · Dec 20, 2021

Your link "is" a QA setup. I have a set of forks that clamp onto my bucket and they work fine for most things. I have lifted 1000lbs with them. If I were using forks daily or for actual pallets of different sizes, I might get a QA version. Otherwise clamp-ons work fine.

LittleBill21 · Dec 20, 2021

this is what i bought last year, use them a lot

man prices went up..... i paid 163 with tax

Amazon.com: Titan Attachments Light-Duty 46" Clamp-on Pallet Forks Stabilizer Bar Rated 1,500 LB Loader or Skid Steer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

stephenh · Dec 20, 2021

I have clamp-ons. Yes, they are great for some jobs. Takes five minutes to install, max. I use them for moving stuff around, such as crated stuff I have hauled home in the pickup bed. Largest thing was a 56" tool chest, heaviest a 900-lb. gun safe. Very handy for someone who does not have a lot of help around.

Used to borrow a buddy's set, very heavy steel. Found some heavy-gauge aluminum ones at Northern Tool. They are not rated for as much weight as the steel, but I have moved quite heavy stuff with no problem.

For my uses, they are the answer. Done with the task, five minutes to remove them, including putting them away til next time.

I have heard of someone bending the bottom of their bucket by lifting too-heavy an item, but I haven't seen that in my use.

WranglerX · Dec 20, 2021

This is what I made for brush moving/hauling....Works well for small logs too....

Roadworthy · Dec 20, 2021

You give no indication of the expected weight, your question seems to pertain to whether forks would fit your L2501 without modifications. I'd give you a qualified yes on that as the LA525 loader is used on several L series tractors, the L2501 being the smallest of them. Mostly I move tumbleweed and branches so I built a pair of "pallet forks" out of four foot chunks of 2 X 4 and added a piece of siding to the top to carry a larger load that the bucket by itself.

DB Pilot · Dec 20, 2021

I got the clamp-ons and the cross bar to help stop twisting of the forks for my L3800. I also now have a warped bucket. Seems all the weight is placed on the bucket at the clamp point which is very far forward from bucket pivot point. As for moving brush or tree limbs, stuff like that, when dumping, the forks (even with the cross bar) would slide sideways out of alignment no matter how much torque I used. I changed the bucket to QA and now have QA forks. Much better for me.

Smf834 · Dec 20, 2021

Wow, i haven’t thoughy of that before. Weight most likey under 400 lbs for brush moving. So i think the clamp on is sufficient

kennyd · Dec 20, 2021

Does you loader already have the SSQA carrier?

If so, you'll never regret getting real forks, you'll use then 1000x more than you thing you will.

Lost of lift capacity, loss of visibility, having the load sooo far out in front (reduced maneuverability), and the risk of bending the bucket are all reasons not to get them. IMHO.

Smf834 · Dec 20, 2021

My loader has the factory qa bucket, so does that mean i can use any universal skidsteer pallet fork?

bearthebruce · Dec 20, 2021

Yes it should. We bought a set for ours.. works a champ.

jyoutz · Dec 20, 2021

Smf834 said:
Wow, i haven’t thoughy of that before. Weight most likey under 400 lbs for brush moving. So i think the clamp on is sufficient

You may think that brush is the only use you have, but will discover many instances when you need to move heavier items.

jyoutz · Dec 20, 2021

Smf834 said:
My loader has the factory qa bucket, so does that mean i can use any universal skidsteer pallet fork?

Yes, but size appropriately for your machine and loader capability

Smf834 · Dec 20, 2021

jyoutz said:
Yes, but size appropriately for your machine and loader capability

I have the l2501, la525, 64” bucket. Can you recommend something from titan please?

jyoutz · Dec 20, 2021

Smf834 said:
I have the l2501, la525, 64” bucket. Can you recommend something from titan please?

For my Mx, the dealer recommended a 4000# forks, even though the loader lift capacity is about 2400#. Check with your dealer, but I’m thinking that 2000-3000# forks would be suitable for your tractor. Maybe you can use the machine builder on the Kubota website and see what forks they offer for your tractor.

WranglerX · Dec 20, 2021

Keep in mind that with two forks, that more brush will fall through the space between and out side of forks, that is why I made a wide set of forks mine is at least 5 tines and width of bucket, probably would have been better with more tines...... You have to know your brush to know what may be proper forks..... Moving brush is a lot different than moving hay bales or pallets... And a "grapple" on you forks will help immensely when moving brush...

beowulf · Dec 21, 2021

I have QA pallet forks and clamp on forks (with stabilizer). They both have their uses and I use both. I could not get by with just the clamp ons though - there are times when nothing but the pallet forks would work out. If I had to choose one - it would be the pallet forks (boulders, large logs, pallets of bricks and more. That said, yesterday I used the clamp ons to pick up a stack of mistletoe we had cut out of an oak tree - with an old piece of scrap plywood on top of the forks - they worked fine for that. If you do get clamp ons get the stabilizer. One final point, the clamp ons really need to be tightened up well or they can slip off, so a short section of pipe for leverage will let you tighten them up sufficiently.

Midniteoyl · Dec 21, 2021

Smf834 said:
I have the l2501, la525, 64” bucket. Can you recommend something from titan please?

2000# - 3000# forks. Whichever you can find in stock for a good price. Watch the total weight though (forks and frame actual weight) as you don't wanna dip into the loaders total lift capacity more than needed. That loaders capacity is ~1100#-1200#, so keep that in mind.

bearthebruce · Dec 21, 2021

one other comment... the clamp on forks are further forward of the lift pins because the bucket is still present. Your lift capacity will be limited because of the distance the load is from the pins.

The SSQA frame brings the lifting point as close to the lifting pins as possible, maximizing your capability.

For brush, not such a big deal. Have to lift a 1300# trunk of a tree? Might mean the difference between success and no success.

Don't forget you need ballast when lifting - and if further forward because of the clamp on forks, you need more.

mo1 · Dec 23, 2021

Smf834 said:
What is the consensus on those? I just need something to move brush from point a to point b, less than bucket load limitation by far. Or should i still get the qa version?

https://www.palletforks.com/skid-steers/pallet-forks-and-accessories/pallet-fork-attachment-with-pallet-fork-blades-–-skid-steer-quick-tach/133210.html

Would it fit my l2501 without any mod?

thanks.

Depends on what you want to lift. If you just want to put brush or other light, fluffy stuff into your bucket and are using the forks to give yourself a larger platform to use, clamp-on forks will work fine. If you want to pick up or lift things with the forks, get a set of actual quick-attach forks. The clamp-on ones will put a lot of torque onto your bucket bottom and can bend it easily if you try picking up anything with any weight.

A set of new quick-attach pallet forks for an L2501 will run less than a grand for good ones. You will want 42" long 1500-2000 pound forks if you are buying new as the 4000 pound 4' ones are going to be a lot larger and heavier than you will need and cost more as well. But, if you can find 4' long 4000 lb skid loader forks used for cheap, get them. I use my quick-attach pallet forks more than I first anticipated and in fact use them far more than I use the bucket. I wish we had a set of forks for the tractors I used growing up (they didn't really exist then), hanging stuff off of the bucket to lift it up and propping two-by-fours in a bucket to act as "forks" to gather loose material was not nearly as easy as using an actual set of forks.