Clamp-on vs QA pallet forks

[bdhsfz6]

You will get more lift capacity with QA forks since the load is closer to the pivot points.
Don't buy QA forks that are heavier than you need. the weight of the forks reduces the overall FEL lift capacity.

 

[kf4uda]

The QA pallet forks are defiantly worth the money. I have a 42" set for my compact tractor and keep finding uses for them, even moving pallets.

 

[kenmbz]

Trees, rounds, rocks, equipment so many uses.
Put on a sheet of wood and table/platform, good for moving bags if mulch.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Hi all. Occasionally I have the need to remove 3 heavy pallets from my trailer. Currently, I am using clamp-on forks on my tractor FEL. Sometimes, no matter how tight I clamp them on, they shift. I am considering QA forks but I am concerned that if I misalign and put downward pressure of the forks that the QA forks will just jump off or out of position anyway. Rarely do I get a good view of where the forks are entering the pallets. Do the forks lock into position? If not, I would probably consider this a waste of money. Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes. Most conventional forks suspend the tines from the top frame rail, and retain the tine by an interlock on the bottom rail. Spacings are such that the tines cannot come off except at a notch at the centerpoint of the bottom rail. -- But, due to the many uses of a fork set, its possible that some employment mode could overstress a vulnerable point and bend it slightly.

This may not ever happen to you, but consider a case where you move the tines to a point fairly close to center to work on a mostly fallen tree. You might engage the tree right against the fork frame at the root of the tines. You may tip the tines down a bit while pushing and lifting to the max force available. Depending on the tractor force limit you may unexpectedly damage the top rail of the fork frame by introducing a downward bow. Maybe not even noticeable at 1st, but to a degree cumulative with such use. Finally you are surprised by tines falling of with any downpressure when they are near the center. ... A center brace, top to bottom rail, can be added early to prevent this development ... or after the fact to (mostly) correct it.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yes. Most conventional forks suspend the tines from the top frame rail, and retain the tine by an interlock on the bottom rail.

Yes, I hadn't thought that he was asking about the forks themselves, but the whole frame, so my answer was different ...

This is my forks, on a frame ... You can see the center notch in the bottom rail, if you wanted to take them off ...

This shows how the top are captured behind the top rail, the bottom is just the reverse, except they don't have the locking latches to set the width ...

 

[sd455dan]

I started out with round forks not clamp on; but chain on and they have actually held up very well and luckily my buckets were tough enough. They were USA manufactured though.

Some buckets are not well built though. I was given a set of clamp-on forks and was checking out the bucket which is identical to my other tractor.
Those clamp on forks actually caused stress cracks in the bucket.

The full quick attach is the way to go, failing that, I would choose a set of chain on forks over clamp-on's every time.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Yes, I hadn't thought that he was asking about the forks themselves, but the whole frame, so my answer was different ...

This is my forks, on a frame ... You can see the center notch in the bottom rail, if you wanted to take them off ...


View attachment 4375273

This shows how the top are captured behind the top rail, the bottom is just the reverse, except they don't have the locking latches to set the width ...

View attachment 4375274

PERFECT! Thanks for the illustrative pics. I want to note that the situation I described re flex/bowing of the top rail would be very unlikely with the forks shown. Those have top to bottom rail bracing extending inward close enough to the center to prevent it. YAY - Y!

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Those forks are rated for 4,000 Lbs, 42" and weigh 347.4 Lbs ... Way over rated for my little SCUT, but all my dealer could source for me back in March of 2022 during the supply chain shortage of stuff ... They are actually a local company that makes them ...

Another thing to keep in mind when using a CUT, and especially SCUT sized tractors and forks, is the farther out on the forks the load is, the less you can pickup! This is where the "pin" is that most manufacturers list as the pickup point ... See how much farther out the load is?

Here I have 15 - 40 Lb bags of wood heating pellets on a roughly 50 Lb wood 40"X48" pallet ... My SCUT has a manufacturer listed lift capacity "at the pins, to full height" of 992 Lbs ... But this is as high as my Little Baby Fergie can lift it! 347+600+50= 997 Lbs ... But it's not "at the pins"!

Next load I stacked it different, and got an additional bag on, but couldn't lift it any higher ...

Here you can see that the forks are tipped back, so the water is closer to the pins, I set a block under the front of the empty 134 Lb tote and put 50-60 gallons of water in it, it wouldn't lift it off the ground if it's flat, but by keeping the water closer to the pins it will lift it!

Since I do have these heavy duty forks, and I recently got a bigger tractor, while it doesn't have a loader on it the three point is rated for almost 3900 Lbs!

I asked my local dealer to see if he can get me either a three point with the SSQA so I can put these forks on it, or get a 3 point fork frame that I can put these forks on the frame, and use my bigger tractor to carry a full tote of water, and reduce the wear and tear on my little SCUT ... He is supposed to call me back on Monday ...

I have a rear remote on this tractor, and a hydraulic top link on the QH, so I should be able to scoop up the tote, and keep it level when I pick it up ...

 

[bdhsfz6]

When the FEL forks won't lift a heavy pallet, I put the forks on the 3pt hitch with this adapter:

3 Point to Universal Quick Tach Adapter | Titan Attachments

Cat 1 quick hitch adapter for attaching quick tach tractor and skid steer attachments to your tractor.

palletforks.com

The 3pt will lift 1000# more than the FEL on my L6060. Not of any use for stacking pallets, but great for moving them around.

Also makes it easy to add or remove rear ballast when necessary. I leave the forks on the 3pt when not using an implement. That way, I can use it to carry a tote, a portable workbench, or palletized implements like a sprayer or generator.

With my hydraulic top link, I can even carry the FEL bucket on the 3pt and use it as a scoop.

 

[CliffordK]

There are also 3 point mounted forklift masts. It should give you much better weight distribution.

Mine uses a CAT 2 hitch, and I think it would be better on a larger tractor than my little Ford 1715.

Similar to this one. I think mine was locally manufactured, but I don't see it on the website now.