Even more forks! 143Lbs

[KML]

Thanks for all of the kind comments!

The forks were from "In the sand box" in Kansas City, Mo. they are a retailer for Arrow material handling. Find a U.S. Dealer near you - Arrow Material Handling

I paid $200 but I think if I'd called a few more dealers I might have found them a little cheaper. They had them to my door in 2 days so I'm happy.

As far as design, I just winged it. I looked at a lot of pics here and did a lot of what my wife calls "sit and stare". She's pretty sure I don't do anything in the shop except stare at inanimate objects for hours I didn't put anything on paper until today when I sketched out how I would do it if I were to build another set.

I figured materials at about $380 for everything including having the plate pieces sheared to size and getting the quick attaches from JD. Those two items would save ~ 6hrs on the build for very little extra money.

The weight break down:
Frame 83
Forks 50
Shafts 10

Total 143


Again, I couldn't have done it without the fine folks here. Thank you!

 

[alchemysa]

You may find it handy to have some way of occasionally fixing the forks to the bottom bar. I think these swing up forks are largely designed for forklifts carrying pallets on nice level surfaces. Around my yard I've sometimes found it handy to be able to apply downward pressure with the point of the forks. Real nice work though. I like the weight (or lack of it). My forks are much heavier than they need to be.

 

[bx24]

KML

In the first pick I saw possibly a "homemade" set of forks - Did my eyes deceive me?

I am in the same boat and I cannot decide whether I want to use 2"x2" box tube to make the forks (since my tractor like yours is not going to lift the world) or go with the 900lb ones like you have.

Nice job on yours

 

[KML]

bx24, yep. Good eye! They were a set I had used on the blade of my 455 to move little things around. It only lifted ~400 lbs a foot or so but was handy with some little 2'x2' pallets I had.

When I first started building the pallet frame the plan was to use them after beefing them up a bit. I started getting cold feet when it was almost finished and ordered the others. When they arrived I changed the frame to fit the new ones.

The crazy thing is they lift the loaders max weight just fine! I don't know how they would hold up for the long haul though. I may still make them a little stronger and use them for the smaller stuff because they are easier to get around with.

I'm thinking the top bar "left over" from them may be the perfect place for a thumb of some sort....


Gizom2 , Thanks! - I took your advise and painted the tips yellow..makes sense, I'd hate to bury them into the car and not have a quick reference to how far in they went.



Farmerford,
My driveway seems to collect anchors. I lost three anchors last year and the word got out in the nieghborhood so now they just "show up" every now and then...

My next door neighbor lost a shovel from the back of his truck and made the mistake of asking if anyone had seen it on our road. I've left three old beat up shovels on his porch and I know of at least two more that found their way. He say's "his" shovel hasn't come home yet. Must be hanging out with my anchors because none of the ones that "appeared" have been mine either..

I guess I could have worse neighbors, not stranger, but worse!
BTW, I used to live in the Keys and spent some time around Dry Tortuga. Great snorkeling around there.

 

[Gizmo2]

bx24, Gizom2 , Thanks! - I took your advise and painted the tips yellow..makes sense, I'd hate to bury them into the car and not have a quick reference to how far in they went.

Now you're cool You'll also now be a chick magnet