MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 57,913
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Its only flat on the bottom.
50 inch brush fork build (with quick-release lever)
- Thread starter Sodo
- Start date
- Views: 16772
Colonel Monk
Silver Member
Can't tell from that picture I posted, but these forks tend to BEND in an arc several inches in front of where they are attached to the mounting plate, not at the joint.
They were only $250 from the factory and have been one of my most used tools, and I'll be the first to admit I abused them for things they are not intended to do.
If I were to build my own forks.... I wouldn't! I'd go to one of several used forklift dealers near here and pick up a set of used forks and adapt mounting to my machine. Unless I got the steel for real cheap, it would be much cheaper and a better use of my time than reinventing the wheel.
That's a great deal. I'm guessing lifting at the end is what caused the bending, right?
If you don't mind changing the angle of attack, and have your own welder.... If you abuse them in the opposite direction and straighten them out, I'd think a rib of plate under the fork thru the bent area, and tapering off maybe a third of the way in from the tip, might add enough rigidity to solve that problem. Depends on what you're forking up.
I think building brush forks is totally doable as long as you're not trying to do stuff with them they weren't designed for. I've actually been more worried about bending the lip on my bucket with forks. I've seen designs that don't have chain binders to the top of bucket to relieve the stress at the bucket's blade, and I'd be really hesitant to lift anything heavier than brush without those binders to bring the load from a "bending load" to a tension load to the top of the bucket.
OP
Sodo
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 3,296
- Location
- Cascade Mtns of WA state
- Tractor
- Kubota B-series & Mini Excavator
Longer tines carry more brush. If you tip the bucket back they are equal strength to short tines. I have found that I like them long.
No questions about the quick attach huh? I've always wanted it and now that I have it I take them on/off several times a day. It rules!
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 57,913
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Nope. In straight lifts of too heavy of a weight, the rear of the tractor just comes off the ground. What bends them is getting them wedged in something (the ground, a stump, etc...) and then operating the dump/curl function.
Anyhow, don't want to hijack this thread.... just want folks to be aware of how easy it is to bend things like this.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 57,913
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Yes, quick attach is fantastic!!!
When you get it down to 15 seconds, we'll talk some more...
http://www.mossroad.com/PT425Videos/PT425_15S01.WMV
Colonel Monk
Silver Member
That makes sense about tipping bucket back, thanks for clarifying. I guess my thought is I'd have no problem with just brush with longer tines, but for firewood duty (a big use of them on our property) I'd need the logs back toward the bucket before lifting.
I get the quick attach. Very cool and useful.
OP
Sodo
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2012
- Messages
- 3,296
- Location
- Cascade Mtns of WA state
- Tractor
- Kubota B-series & Mini Excavator
Been using the stick rakes on the brush fork, for land cleanup. First I used them in drag mode, and drug up huge piles of sticks, blackberry brambles, and english ivy. Backed the brush hog over the piles and "reduced" them to mulch, which I scooped up and dumped over a bank. In the end I got tired of mulching, and needed to just push some stuff back into the weeds and get the heck out of there. So turned the stick rakes around. It's much more difficult to push than to drag. I kinda thought it would be a little more difficult, but it's very much more difficult.
Here's som pics. I built these 5 stick rakes one year ago, each one attaches to one fork tine with a pin.
Can see that one of my tines is bent. I'll bend it back it someday.
Here's som pics. I built these 5 stick rakes one year ago, each one attaches to one fork tine with a pin.
Can see that one of my tines is bent. I'll bend it back it someday.
Last edited:
MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 57,913
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
Nice! The main problem with pushing is if you lock the float on the FEL it will dig into hills and ride over valleys. But if you put it in float, it will eventually dig in, lift the FEL and the tractor will tend to want to walk up over the implement. I've seen some with gauge wheels, like snowplow feet. Someone over in the Power Trac forum has one. Maybe ask them how well it works.
arrow
Super Member
Monk you might be better off with a pair of these for tree duty. 3/4" steel cut to shape in order to curl the logs toward the bucket.
Attachments
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
Useful ideas here. I like the front mounted tines for cleaning up and I like those 3/4" teeth for long heavy stuff.
