3 PH fork attachment

[shooterdon]

I am planning to modify my firewood processing method next year. I will need a grapple on the FEL for loading logs onto the feed rack of the processor and a set of forks on the 3PH to handle bins of wood that will weigh 1500-2000 lbs. The bins are modified IBC totes.

I currently use a TSC carry all to hold 850 lbs of ballast when using the grapple. It is rated for 1500 lbs. I think that it will be light for handling totes

Most of the Cat 1 forks I have found are rated at 1500 lbs. Some are tubes and I prefer solid forks that will be easier to slip under the bins. Does anyone use or know of a higher capacity Cat 1 set?

This is one I am currently looking at

Titan Attachments 3-Point, 36-in Pallet Fork Hay Frame Attachment with Rack, Receiver Hitch, Spear Sleeves Fits Cat I & II Tractors


Thanks,

 

[ovrszd]

Following to see what you come up with.

Thinking maybe a QA set of forks with 3pt brackets added?

 

[CoyPatton]

One caution which unless you have a “self leveling” loader, you are already used to dealing with, without a hydraulic too link, you will be tipping the top of your totes toward the tractor at an increasing angle as you lift higher. With the hydraulic top you can adjust for that tipping as you raise and lower your 3PH much as I do with my curl on my loader.

Sorry I know very little about pallet forks on a 3PH, the above is an issue I have encountered with a carryall. The Titan forks look good!

 

[ovrszd]

Good point Coy.

This can be minimized by where you hitch the top link on the tractor. When hauling big bales with my 3pt bale forks I want the bale to lean toward me as I lift so it is less apt to sliding off. By changing the hitch point I can make them lift flat.

 

[Foodplot]

I've had the King Kutter PM-15 3-pt pallet forks for 10+ years. 2K lb weight rating at 24" behind the vertical frame. I use them for what you are proposing. Other than poor paint, they've been bulletproof. The forks are heavy rectangular tubes, but are tapered at the end. Only drawback is not being able to adjust width for non-standard pallets.

 

[CoyPatton]

Good point Coy.

This can be minimized by where you hitch the top link on the tractor. When hauling big bales with my 3pt bale forks I want the bale to lean toward me as I lift so it is less apt to sliding off. By changing the hitch point I can make them lift flat.

Harder to do with a pallet fork setup lifting a pallet based product. The forks must be almost level to slide under the base. So there is no real option to have an offset before you lift as you can with a spear setup.

 

[CoyPatton]

I've had the King Kutter PM-15 3-pt pallet forks for 10+ years. 2K lb weight rating at 24" behind the vertical frame. I use them for what you are proposing. Other than poor paint, they've been bulletproof. The forks are heavy rectangular tubes, but are tapered at the end. Only drawback is not being able to adjust width for non-standard pallets.

His tractor 3PH has just under a 2800 lbs lift. I doubt he wants to limit his lift capacity by almost 800 lbs. Do you know if King Kutter has a higher capacity set?

 

[shooterdon]

Good points guys...just want to add.

I have a hydraulic top link so can adjust the forks for level as I enter the pallet and also as I lift it. I will want a slight tilt as I lift them and ovszd made a good point about the attachment point at the tractor...I have three locations, and will try to find the one that allows the lifting action to be as parallels to the ground as possible with a slight angle back to tractor as I raise the forks. .

2000 Lbs should be all I need in terms of capacity. I am having no problems lifting them with my SSQA forks on the FEL. I only need to lift the bins a foot or so unless doing down/up a mound or incline.

Just had a thought, What if I used one of these:

3 Point to Universal Quick Tach Adapter Skid Steer Tractor

I could use them to mount my SSQA forks and they are rated at 3500 lbs.

 

[ovrszd]

Harder to do with a pallet fork setup lifting a pallet based product. The forks must be almost level to slide under the base. So there is no real option to have an offset before you lift as you can with a spear setup.

If the top link is similar in length as the lowers, which most are, and is parrallel to the lowers, the forks will stay the same thru all of the 3pt movement. Lower the hitch point of the top link at the tractor and the load will tip toward the tractor when lifted. Raise it and the load will tip away from the tractor when lifted.

 

[ovrszd]

Good points guys...just want to add.

I have a hydraulic top link so can adjust the forks for level as I enter the pallet and also as I lift it. I will want a slight tilt as I lift them and ovszd made a good point about the attachment point at the tractor...I have three locations, and will try to find the one that allows the lifting action to be as parallels to the ground as possible with a slight angle back to tractor as I raise the forks. .

2000 Lbs should be all I need in terms of capacity. I am having no problems lifting them with my SSQA forks on the FEL. I only need to lift the bins a foot or so unless doing down/up a mound or incline.

Just had a thought, What if I used one of these:

3 Point to Universal Quick Tach Adapter Skid Steer Tractor

I could them mount my SSQA forks and they are rated at 3500 lbs.

Yep!! There's your answer.

If you bought a tree puller it could also be used either way.

Didn't know they built such a thing!!!