Clamp on Bucket Forks

[vptech2]

Anyone using clamp on forks similar to these? A set of forks would sure would be handy to have. I wouldn’t be picking more than 300-500 lbs. but I don’t want damage my bucket.

 

[ruffdog]

I had a set of the HD ones for my TC33D. I also had the HD New Holland bucket with the bolt-on edge though.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

If it's from VEVOR, stay away. Cheap construction.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I bought one of the Titan sets off EBay. Well, my neighbor actually bought them, then I bought them from him. I don't lift things frequently, but when needed, they work great.... for my use....

That use is considered "light use". I have lifted a full 55 gal drum off of the truck, lifted 16- 4"x6"-8' pressure treated posts, carried / moved pallets with 4-500 lbs on them. Nothing like continually having to use them.

The only issue that I have had was the 'screw' loosening allowing one or both forks to move out of 'alignment'. Not really a big deal, more of an occasional nuisance.

If I had to use forks on a daily basis... well I would get an SSQA set of forks.
The bolt ons are ok for those occasional uses

 

[houska]

I bought one of the Titan sets off EBay. [...] I don't lift things frequently, but when needed, they work great.... for my use....

That use is considered "light use". I have lifted a full 55 gal drum off of the truck, lifted 16- 4"x6"-8' pressure treated posts, carried / moved pallets with 4-500 lbs on them. [...] If I had to use forks on a daily basis... well I would get an SSQA set of forks.
The bolt ons are ok for those occasional uses

I also have a Titan set, without the stabilizer bar. I have the same experience.
Great to have around for moving a pallet with something on it, lifting stuff out of a pickup truck, etc.

But given the geometry, don't expect to pick up anything remotely close to the nominal lifting capacity of your loader, a number reflecting capacity at the pins, not several feet out in front, pinching the bucket at one point.

I've seen people who have put a divot in their bucket through carrying excessive weight on them. I'm being careful, and I have a heavy duty bucket.

I've learned the hard way to keep the screw lubricated and to unmount them at end of day: they can get semi-stuck if you leave them on too long, tightened. Nothing you can't get off, but it's no fun on a rainy, November day when you need the loader for something else.

In case useful to anyone, I do have a screwed-on Piranha tooth bar on the bucket. The forks will go on over top, but need to be set between the teeth.

 

[Aquamoose]

If you already have a quick attach setup, you might want to compare prices to a basic quick attach pallet fork. I’m glad I did and it was well worth the “upgrade” for so many reasons.

 

[scootr]

The bucket blocks the view of the forks. This makes it difficult to use the forks well. Nothing compares to using forks you can see.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve never used that particular set of forks but I have used bucket forks. They suck. Aside from the obvious problems the bucket completely blocks your view and you’re stabbing blind.

 

[5030]

I’ve never used that particular set of forks but I have used bucket forks. They suck. Aside from the obvious problems the bucket completely blocks your view and you’re stabbing blind.

What a spotter is for...lol

Do keep one thing in mind always and that is 99% of tractors (no matter how large or small) come with light duty 'material buckets that have single layer floor sheets. You can spec heavy duty 'excavation' buckets with double layer floor sheets but most tractor buyers don't realize there is an option. The single sheet buckets are really prone to getting a 'smile' in the floor sheet when over taxed or using clamp on pallet forks and overloading them. I've fixed a lot of them in the past and it's not an easy fix as you have to cut the sides from the floor sheet and then cold bend the sheet back the remove the 'smile' and then re weld the sides back on.

Much better off buying a set of dedicated SSQA pallet forks. Once you put a smile in a bucket, it becomes basically useless for lever grading and smoothing and the clamp on ones are also inherently dangerous to begin with.

 

[duffer]

If you decide to get a set of bucket forks. Couple of things to remember. Bucket materal is thin, per 5030 post above. So I use a couple of 6"x6"x1/8" steel plates under the bolt clamps to keep from "dimple-ing" my bucket, esp if you're trying to lift 500# or more.

With the forks so far out in front of your bucket, your lifting capacity will diminish by 50% or more depending on your hydraulics. Just keep that in mind.

 

[houska]

I’ve never used that particular set of forks but I have used bucket forks. They suck. Aside from the obvious problems the bucket completely blocks your view and you’re stabbing blind.

I don't disagree dedicated forks would be a lot better. For myself, I can't justify them yet given my use pattern.

I have found that by standing up from my seat, I can see over the bucket to where the clamp-on fork tips are, which is good enough to get the angle right to slide where you need to be (as opposed to stabbing your truck or what's on your pallet), though of course you don't want to be moving the tractor that way. YMMV based on your loader geometry and how tall you are.

The choice of no forks / clamp-ons / dedicated forks reminds me of the progression

loader bucket w/tooth bar --> stump bucket --> backhoe --> mini-ex​

Each has huge limitations compared to the next one on the list (bear with me; the tooth bar does have broader uses; and the $ increments are less for the forks). But each is also a heck of a lot better than nothing at all.

 

[5030]

Just be apprised that using clamp on forks with a light duty material bucket can have detrimental effects to the bottom sheet if the forks are overloaded and once you put a smile in the bucket, it's almost impossible to remediate without extensive cutting and rewelding.

 

[Raul-02]

Anyone using clamp on forks similar to these? A set of forks would sure would be handy to have. I wouldn’t be picking more than 300-500 lbs. but I don’t want damage my bucket. View attachment 761195View attachment 761196

I don't prefer them. They just can't perform like real forks can and they can ruin your bucket. Or rather the operator can ruin the bucket by execting too much of them.

 

[TimberFarm]

I have a set just like them.
As said before the buckets can't handle any weight cantilevered so far out.
The most I can safely pick up without damaging my bucket, is about 250-300lbs.
Do they help? Sure, I can't lift 250lbs by myself.
I paid about $125.00.

 

[mgstevens]

I have the Titan set (1500 lb) and only lift that 200-400 lb range. I love mine for their utility and quick mounting. The riser tubes at the bucket end of the forks are crucial to proper usage. Whether with square steel tube or just timber, when risers are used and secured (I use ratchet strap..) to the top of the bucket, the forks are much more stable and kinder to the steel plate on the bottom of the bucket.

 

[5030]

To a point. The bottom sheet on a material bucket is still taking the brunt of the deflection. You'd be better off chaining it as chains to stretch, straps do.

 

[mgstevens]

For the weights I work with, the straps have been working fine. Any more than a couple hundred pounds, I would move to chains.

 

[manzer7]

Anyone using clamp on forks similar to these? A set of forks would sure would be handy to have. I wouldn’t be picking more than 300-500 lbs. but I don’t want damage my bucket. View attachment 761195View attachment 761196

I have a set of the 42" (fork pallet length) with the bolts on top. Those bolts on top are in the way and stops going into a pallet (less about 4").

That is the only problem that I've had. I have used them only once so far.

It does work - but you have to be very careful !!

 

[mapper]

I find that they work well for moving brush and tree limbs around and stacking burn piles. Most other stuff not so much.

 

[IndyIan]

I've thought about trading my single spear hay fork for a double spear one, with two bottom spears to work as pallet forks as well. Price them out locally, these are way cheaper than a pallet fork and I don't think your tractor could break a tine and you could lift full capacity. Down side is the width is fixed unless you get the offset tines and rotate them in the mount?