Clamp-on vs QA pallet forks

[nepa]

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.

 

[RjCorazza]

Any ssqa pallet forks that I've seen either lock in place, or are hydraulically adjusted. Dedicated pallet forks are going to be much more stable and secure than clamp on forks.

 

[ptsg]

Don't even think twice about getting a set of QA forks. You'll be wonder why you didn't get them a long time ago.

Just for the visibility alone, it's well worth it. Yes, most forks do lock in place. It will have just a little bit of play which is there to allow you to slide them but not an issue during use.

The one I use on my tractor, uses the forks from my forklift. When I built the frame, I didn't even bothered with putting the notches so the forks can lock. It really doesn't slide around.

 

[kenmbz]

I have clampons with the stabilizer. Just did not work well enough for me.
Now I have QA forks, much happier and no worried about bending the bucket lip, or the forks moving and dropping a load.

 

[nepa]

I guess that I am sold on the QA. Any brand preference?

 

[paulsharvey]

I guess that I am sold on the QA. Any brand preference?

Anything cheap, that meet your requirements. 4000# forks are 4000# forks; doesnt matter if name brand or straight off the boat. Just stay away from the Super cheap, fix position, tube type forks, they might be $150 cheaper, but you're on the wrong 80/20 specturm; your paying 80% price for 20% capability

 

[paulsharvey]

This is what I mean by the cheapest of the cheap, that i would avoid. Maybe they are better than clamp ons, but they arent real forks

 

[dodge man]

You will like them. I have the JD style QA and I’ve never had them feel like they will come loose. Get one with a headache rack also, you can see through it and actually see what the forks are doing.

 

[nyone]

Clamp on forks just suck.

Express steel sells quality SSQA forks for a price of chinese models. There a US company and made in the US. Tomahawlk I believe also sells US forks and built in the US.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yes the fork frame locks into the SSQA frame, just like your bucket does.

Not knowing you lift capacity, I can't recommend a weight rating ... But heavier rated forks will also weigh more, and limit the amount you can actually put on them
...

For example my forks are rated for 4,000 pounds, and weigh 347.4Lbs! But ... My little tractor can only lift 922 Lbs at full height, subtract the weight of the forks, it's under 600 Lbs, "at the pins" which the whole forks are in front of ...