FEL boom, no welding

gocards1177 · Jan 21, 2014

Just playing on Ebay and doing something thinking. It seems to me that with one of these:

60" John Deere Pallet Fork Attachment Global Euro Style Coupler Loaders Deer | eBay

and one of these:

Trailer Hitch Receiver for Pallet Fork Forks Lift Forklift Skid Steer PFRH | eBay

plus a length of 2" square tubing, some cables for bracing, and necessary hardware, one could make a very serviceable boom for their FEL. Am I missing anything? Other than 18" and $90 is there a huge difference between 42" pallet forks and 60" pallet forks?

gocards1177 · Jan 21, 2014

No one? I guess I'll just give it a go and report back.

Zebrafive · Jan 21, 2014

gocards1177 said:
Just playing on Ebay and doing something thinking. It seems to me that with one of these:

60" John Deere Pallet Fork Attachment Global Euro Style Coupler Loaders Deer | eBay

and one of these:

Trailer Hitch Receiver for Pallet Fork Forks Lift Forklift Skid Steer PFRH | eBay

plus a length of 2" square tubing, some cables for bracing, and necessary hardware, one could make a very serviceable boom for their FEL. Am I missing anything? Other than 18" and $90 is there a huge difference between 42" pallet forks and 60" pallet forks?

The problem I see with 60" pallet forks is if you fully engage a pallet the forks will extend beyond the pallet. Depending what is beyond the pallet, that could be a problem. Up set the next pallet when you lift, fork holes thru a pole barn wall, etc. I would want 48" forks.

gocards1177 · Jan 22, 2014

Zebrafive said:
The problem I see with 60" pallet forks is if you fully engage a pallet the forks will extend beyond the pallet. Depending what is beyond the pallet, that could be a problem. Up set the next pallet when you lift, fork holes thru a pole barn wall, etc. I would want 48" forks.

I'm glade you pointed that out! I was thinking the 60" referred to width. That makes more sense. I would be using it for moving normal sized pallets and general brush moving, so I'll go with 48#'s. I'm going to place and order on that and the adapter today and see if I can cobble together a boom of some sort. Thanks!

BHD · Jan 22, 2014

I have 60" length of forks on my 4020 90 HP tractor, there great for moving round bales, which is the main use of them for me, but there are a pain when dealing with pallets as they will go through or beyond the pallet, the second thing is when dealing with a heavy pallet, out on the end of 60" forks can be fun as well, as it puts an extreme load on the front axel and I have small cylinders on the bucket and use them to gauge the "over weight of the load, a load on the end of the forks many times will load out the cylinders on the bucket but all the way back they will handle it,

there is a place for the long forks and there is disadvantages as well,

jimmysisson · Jan 22, 2014

Do you need some way to hold the forks down, beside the weight of the boom and load? My forks can swing up unimpeded, a pain sometimes. I would think the less slip the better if you're trying to place something accurately. Otherwise, let us know how it goes!
Jim