DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads

   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads #1  

bmaverick

Elite Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2013
Messages
4,146
Location
Beloit-WI
Tractor
Yanmar YM2610, retired JD 850, retired DYT-4000
Had a need to move a 275gal IBC Tote and no tractor pallet tool with forks.

This is my home brewed method as nobody was around to help move the tote but the tractor.

Step 1 get an idea of what a rear 3PT pallet fork would look like.

NPF0300-pallet-fork.jpg

Step 2 mimic that setup with what you have.

DSCF8224md.jpg

Step 3 Try it out

DSCF8234md.jpg


Here is the simple layout.
- 1X Drawbar
- 2X formed "A" half braces from my box blade
- 2X 4-inch wide exhaust hangers for a diesel truck.
- 1X 4x4 post with holes
- 1X eyelet screw thru the bottom middle of the drawbar into the 4x4
- 4X treated hard wood for forks

DSCF8222md.jpg
 
   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads #2  
Do what you need to do to Get-R-Done :thumbsup: McGuiver has nothing on you.

gg
 
   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads #3  
Assuming you have a loader with a bucket, just slide the bucket under it as far as it will go and throw a strap around it to keep it in place in the bucket. You obviously can't do that with the tote loaded, but your wood version of forks won't do that either. The bucket is already there and should be quicker to do. I move them around by hand to some degree when empty, but for longer moves I use my forks on the FEL in place of the bucket. The bucket trick works just as well for one quick move (if empty). I use the forks when doing more than one. I use these totes for firewood so I shuffle around several of them at a time, typically. When full, the forks are the only way I can handle them.

Now if you don't have a FEL, I can understand making the wood forks...

firewood bins 2017 (2) (Large).jpg
 
   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads #5  
This is the simple kind of 3pt forks I am looking for.. However they are hard to find here at a decent price and economical shipping..
But not both...

3pt Pallet Forks.png
 
   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads #6  
Here's pics of what I have for pallet forks, they're simple and not ideal but at $25 at an auction I'm not going to complain, I had to move the mounts since it was set up for some skid steer without quick attachment or something but I've used the heck out of them in the last year since I made them fit the tractor...
 

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   / DIY Pallet Forks to lift simple loads
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Here's pics of what I have for pallet forks, they're simple and not ideal but at $25 at an auction I'm not going to complain, I had to move the mounts since it was set up for some skid steer without quick attachment or something but I've used the heck out of them in the last year since I made them fit the tractor...

Nicer than my wooden forks.

I've seen a 3PT and forks like that sold in stores. Glad you did yours for a big savings.
 
 
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