Front-End Loader Anyone have the Titan quick attach pallet forks with integrated trailer receiver?

[sideskraft]

For those who have this attachment for your FEL, I'd like to know what's the heaviest trailer you've moved with it and what was your experience like? I have a travel trailer that will be moved around on occasion (level to slight incline asphalt and crushed concrete) that weighs 8500 lb with 1100 lb tongue weight. I just bought Titan's 3-point trailer receiver (cheapest one) and it moved that trailer with no problems. But there are times when I need to accurately back up this trailer into tight spots, as well as my 7500 lb boat/trailer, and facing toward the trailer as I'm backing them up will be so much easier than twisting my body 180 degrees. I also need a good set of pallet forks, so to have the integrated trailer receiver in the same attachment makes lots of sense.

The alternative would be to buy the clamp-on forks and the dedicated FEL attachment for trailer moving, combined would be less money than the integrated attachment. My concern is potential stressing of the bucket, which would be reduced (but not alleviated) by adding some steel plates between the clamp pad and the bucket, so as to spread the load over a larger area, hence reducing the PSI and risk of bucket deformation. My concern with this is that the forks may not want to stay put, since PSI has been reduced with the addition of the steel plates. I also understand that bucket-mounted forks place the load further from the pivot point, decreasing the effective lift capacity and adding stress to the bucket and loader.

I'm certain that I won't be lifting anything more than 1500 lb, and lifts more than 1000 lb would be rare. Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Aquamoose]

I’d stick with getting a dedicated quick-attach pallet fork arrangement with a built-in receiver in the middle. I don’t know if there’s one available but if not, I wouldn’t hesitate to have one modified on the plate itself with the receiver recessed into the plate. It’ll give you the best of both worlds, load placement near the pins for more control & strength and versatility.

 

[sideskraft]

I’d stick with getting a dedicated quick-attach pallet fork arrangement with a built-in receiver in the middle. I don’t know if there’s one available but if not, I wouldn’t hesitate to have one modified on the plate itself with the receiver recessed into the plate. It’ll give you the best of both worlds, load placement near the pins for more control & strength and versatility.

Actually Titan makes what you're describing Titan Skid Steer 48" Pallet Fork & Trailer Hitch Attachment Bobcat Case Kubota, and that's the attachment that I'm hoping to get some feedback on. I did find out from Titan that the receiver's max capacity for tongue weight is 600 lb and trailer weight is 6000 lb, which means it wouldn't be a good choice to move my travel trailer. However it should do fine to move my 26ft boat/trailer which has a tongue weight of around 300 lb, and that trailer is the one that I need to stuff inside a 9ft wide garage door opening (extremely tight fit). I have moved my big trailer with Titan's 3-point trailer hitch with no problem -- I did notice the back of the tractor squat close to an inch when the 3-point picked up that 1200 lb of trailer tongue weight. I've inquired with a local guy whose mechanic does welding, and I asked him to let me know if this attachment could be beefed up to handle my big trailer (1200 tongue/8500 total).

 

[Aquamoose]

Good thinking. I would guess that the 600lbs limit is due to the construction of the plate. If he could look at it, he may tell you that it could be beefed up to handle the loads.

Do share with us when you have a solution!

 

[sideskraft]

Good thinking. I would guess that the 600lbs limit is due to the construction of the plate. If he could look at it, he may tell you that it could be beefed up to handle the loads.

Do share with us when you have a solution!

I'll do that Aquamoose. BTW, I came close to buying a Branson 3520h (very nice low hour 2015), which to me is about the sharpest looking CUT out there, but it was 600+ miles away. I ended up with "the other" red tractor which I really like -- nice and beefy like the Branson. At first I was ready to buy a very nice low hour JD 3038E, but after looking closely at features and capacities, I couldn't justify spending similar money for less machine.

 

[Aquamoose]

I got mine at Dave’s Tractor, 720 miles away. The primary feature I wanted was lifting capacity at the pins and the 3520h had that within my budget. To each it’s own, glad you have one that suits you!

 

[PILOON]

Heck I fabricated a 'clamp on' device for trailer moving with scraps that I had.
I made it about 10" wide , welded 2 5/8" nuts and tapered a couple of bolt ends followed by welding 3" x 1/2" bar stock to the bold heads as a grip to tighten the clamp in place.
I made this for my friend that has a fleet of 6-7 rental trailers.
This device is simply clamped onto his FEL Kubota B21 bucket.
5 years now and no bucket distortion at all. (and that's a lot of usage)
To note that most trailer hitch weights are designed at about 500# rating which is less than any CUT bucket capacity.
Note that I went 10" wide but that was mainly to prevent any pivoting action when making turns.
I'd add that the B21 bucket is probably about the least HD that you will encounter so I would not worry about distortion.
\I'd post a pix but that device is not nearby at present.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I'm spending your money here but in my case, I went with your alternative idea. I bought 2 separate Titan SSQA attachments:

dedicated pallet fork : 48" Pallet Fork Attachment Tractor Forks Kubota Holland skid steer quick tach on sale for $517

and

SSQA to 3pt adapter with 2" receiver: Skidsteer 3 Point Attachment Adapter Skid Steer hitch front loader 129 LB HD $279

The total cost is around $350 more than the fork / receiver combo. For the extra money, you get (1) a 1800 # rating on the receiver, (2) the ability to use other 3pt attachments on your FEL, (3) a pallet fork with a much better backstop. I'd be concerned about material falling off on to the hood of your tractor with the low backstop on the combo fork. (4) saves time not having to remove the forks from the combo unit and installing the ball & hitch every time you move a trailer.

A cheaper possibility is to go for the 3pt adapter above for moving trailers and get a pair of clamp on forks for your bucket. I had a pair on the bucket of my old L3430 Kubota. I reinforced them with a couple of chain binders to avoid distorting the bucket. It looked similar to this one on eBay:

Clamp on Pallet Fork 3lbs capacity Loader Bucket Skidsteer Tractor Heavy Duty | eBay

There are lots of options but they vary in price.

 

[Stomper]

Man you guys in the US have some great prices on stuff compares to Canada. When I bought my pallet forks the cheapest I could find was a grand. I did however pick up a set of mid state brand for $500 at an online Ritchie brothers auction.
If you don稚 typically have anything on your 3ph it might be better to get something like the below link. I built my own and it stays on all the time. I知 sure you could build one or have one built out of strong enough material that would tow what ever you want. It would save the hassle of removing the forks every time you want to move a trailer. Maybe the forks don稚 need to be removed but I would think they would be in the way.
Just giving you more options

https://www.palletforks.com/three-point-attachments/3-point-tractor-drawbar-trailer-hitch-receiver-attachment-category-1.html

 

[sideskraft]

Received the 48" pallet fork attachment today and it looks great. FedEx delivery guy was outstanding in every way (called me when he came down our neighborhood road so I could meet him at the end of our driveway). Titan did a good job of packing onto the pallet. Attachment frame weighs 105 lb, forks weigh 196 lb, pallet is 25 lb. Forks and frame are undamaged. Removing those from the pallet and hefting them around was a workout, but I now appreciate the hefty steel that goes into making these. So far I give FedEx an A for delivery service and careful shipping, and Titan an A for good packaging and initial quality impression. Once I have the chance to try them out I'll give my report.