clamp on pallet forks (& no qd) - vs qd bucket + qd forks on kl4030/ck2610

orangetree · Sep 15, 2021

Just bought a ck2610; thanks for all the TBN threads that helped me make the call on that. Haven't "owned" a tractor since using my dad's in the woods growing up, couldn't be more excited

anyway ... I ordered it with the kl4030 (standard loader on the ck2610) with the quick-release 66" bucket.

I was planning on getting pallet forks with the QD, but i think i'm a really light user of them. I will be unloading pallets from the truck a few times a year, moving lumber around as we build the house & garage, etc ...

Then I started thinking about, in addition to the QD weight (noticeable), any load is now ~4" further out, further reducing lift capacity. Since i probably care more about the load in the bucket, than on the forks, I started second guessing if i should just get clamp-on forks (lift around 1000lbs, which is plenty for the stuff i receive) and ditching the QD system.

Thoughts on how well / poorly clamp on's work, with the stock kioti 66" bucket? Practical numbers on how much FEL lift capacity the QD spacing consumes?

The tractor & loader/backhoe won't be in the dealer for another month (and were already on order by the dealer, given this crazy year) - I may or may not be able to swap this option directly, but given the usable load difference, perhaps it would be worth selling the QD and ordering the stock pinned-on 66" bucket.

Thanks!

jeff9366 · Sep 16, 2021

Spend the money for an SSQA bucket and SSQA pallet forks.

Everyone buying their first tractor finds far more uses for it than anticipated while shopping. SSQA makes the FEL far more versatile.

Also, new tractor owners work (abuse) the new machine as part of the tractor learning process.

Buy attachments and implements one at a time when the need is obvious. Buy quality.

With clamp on pallet forks your empty 300 pound bucket is useless weight most of the time.

MORE: pallet forks site:tractorbynet.com

CH4Ohio · Sep 16, 2021

Ditto to the above. You're much better off with universal skid-steer attachments instead of bolt-on buckets. You'll find all kind of uses for this once you get it.

Forks are super handy for much more than just picking up pallets.

Either way, get some hooks mounted on your bucket so you have safe positive points to lift from. The fork attachment offers plenty of places to attach chains to already.

Good luck with it!

SJay · Sep 16, 2021

I have clamp on forks and quick attach. The clamp on ones never get used and the quick attached are my most used attachment.

kennyd · Sep 16, 2021

Go QA...
You will use the forks 100x more than you think you will now.

deezler · Sep 16, 2021

QA all the way. Shoot, I bought a new tractor just to upgrade loader capacity and gain SSQA. Switching from bucket to forks in under 30 seconds is sooooo nice. On a given mid size CUT, SSQA forks will give you nearly twice the lifting capability vs clamped on forks extending way out in front of the bucket. Even if you don't plan to lift heavy things, someday, such a need will arise. Or even with 1000 lb loads that you could do with clamp forks, doing the same lift with SSQA forks will be smoother, safer, more stable, etc.

orangetree · Sep 16, 2021

consensus seems really clear to stay SSQA. I've read a few anecdotes similar to @SJay (have clamp-on, never use)...

going to keep it QA, thanks all

jeff9366 · Sep 16, 2021

orange tree said:
consensus seems really clear to stay SSQA. I've read a few anecdotes similar to @SJay (have clamp-on, never use)...

going to keep it QA, thanks all

If you are going to post here regularly learn and use standard tractor nomenclature.

SSQA is an industry standard. There is only one SSQA.

QA can be ANYTHING.

orangetree · Sep 16, 2021

jeff9366 said:
If you are going to post here regularly learn and use standard tractor nomenclature.

SSQA is an industry standard. There is only one SSQA.

QA can be ANYTHING.

It also is helpful to have your LOCATION as part of your T-B-N PROFILE.

Yes, SSQA; and i'm in ~central idaho, thanks

Michael In Tennessee · Sep 16, 2021

The ability to have a more utile loader pales in comparison to the added lift capacity. It depends on your use case. I get not too much use out of pallet forks, but get a huge benefit out of a grapple. My neighbor uses my pallet forks more than me.

Also, remember that add-on pallet forks more the load out in front of the bucket adding about 12" to the moment arm and really reducing the load capability using forks. So you are trading a minor degradation in bucket lift capacity for a severe degradation in pallet fork capacity.

orangetree · Apr 18, 2022

jeff9366 said:
Everyone buying their first tractor finds far more uses for it than anticipated while shopping. SSQA makes the FEL far more versatile.

I sort of have to LOL how true this ended up being. Before buying the tractor, the first area i cleared resulted in a 30' wide 10' tall slash pile ... moved by hand. I'm not that old yet - but it still about killed me.

Now, ~9 rear implements, pallet forks, and a grapple later ... yep, that's about 4x the implements i thought i'd get into when i bought it the tractor itself.

I'm still ~Happy with the size tractor i bought; i have to move around some tight woods, and only occasionally feel like i need some more power - and long term i think i'll be happy with the simplicity of the NON-tier4 emissions the smallest unit in this frame size allowed ... but there are times I'm a little jealous of my neighbor's 60hp ...

Saucymynx · Apr 20, 2022

I started with clamp-on forks and they were a PITA. So much lateral leverage out front that they wouldn’t stay straight. Plus too much concentrated torque on the bucket edge. Finally, limited lift capacity since the rear of the load is at the fron edge of the bucket. I quickly bought “grown up” forks and haven’t regretted it for a moment. Especially wheni had to lift a haybine off a flat bed trailer. Impossible with “strap ons”…

kenmbz · Apr 20, 2022

I have clamp ons- with a spreader arm. Works ok.
If you can afford SSQA forks, just do it, wish I had but $ were tight.

You will be very surprise what you can do with forks. Even moved an outdoor bar with mine.
Stumps, wood, pallets, trees for planting, toys etc.

newbury · Apr 20, 2022

kenmbz said:
I have clamp ons- with a spreader arm. Works ok.
If you can afford SSQA forks, just do it, wish I had but $ were tight.

You will be very surprise what you can do with forks. Even moved an outdoor bar with mine.
Stumps, wood, pallets, trees for planting, toys etc.

Same here-
It would have cost me probably a $1,000 for a decent pair of forks plus getting SSQA on 1 tractor. Instead for about $250 I got 2 pair of clamp ons (1 for each tractor). And have occasionally used 2 pair on 1 tractor.
SSQA is great if you've got the $$$ and (skills if you do it yourself) but I've been operating since 2009 with clamp ons.

LS Tractor Owner · Apr 20, 2022

It depends on how often and what you will be using them for. I have a set of the clamp on with stabilizer bar. Yes, you will definitely loose some lifting capacity. My tractor has 1600lbs lift at the pin.... and have lifted 1300 lbs with slings on the bucket hooks.

I can only lift 900-1000 lbs with the bolt on forks because they are another 22" past the pin. I basically use them for building materials (like studs / framing lumber / fence posts, etc.... You definitely won't be able to lift, say, a pallet of mortar .... probably half of one.

I was seriously considering getting a set of SSQA forks, but can't justify the cost vs. how often I would use them.

nybirdman · Apr 20, 2022

With the clamp on type you can bend your bucket;I purchased a new set of 2k/42" SSQA for $600.

scaredychicken · Apr 21, 2022

I stopped at the local tractor maintenance service place today to inquire about Pallet Forks for my Kubota BX23S. (JD have different set up altogether)
- they get them in used on occasion, and i'm in no rush
- quick attach set up
- would probably use them up to 10x per year (not frequently)
- a used set-up would be fine
- bolt-ons to loader would be fine also

i have not priced them out in a couple of years, but I think the Quick Attach Pallet Forks set up was about $1200 Cdn, msrp. Very convenient.

The bolt-ons to the FEL would be significantly cheaper, but the lift capacity on my small tractor would be further reduced, given the reach.

It occurred to me today... it might be cheaper, easier in the long run to
1) buy a second used FEL (quick attach loader) for my 2018 Kubota BX23S ... doesn't even have to be pretty
2) buy a set of new or preferably used, bolt-on pallet forks, for the bucket (again, infrequent use)
3) bolt-on OR weld these pallet forks to the used loader bucket
wondering if that arrangement would actually save me any $$$ (I know that the Time Savings would be there), and I'd basically just be switching between Quick Attach Loaders.

thoughts ?

bunyip · Apr 21, 2022

I have what we call the eurohitch and have a 4 in 1 bucket and hay spikes, the spikes get used the most for picking up almost everything, I had clamp ons on the last tractor and had them fall off once despite being tightened, fortunately it was nothing important that it the dust, like others have said they sit forward and reduce your lift capacity.