FEL bucket-mount forks - BX25

[glemans]

My dealer says forks mounted on the loader bucket like the clever looking BXpander forks won't lift enough weight to bother with (longer lever arm). Any experience with these?

 

[radioman]

glemans- depends on how much is the weight you are referring to. Technically as per the BX documents, the loader can lift 235lbs. I can tell you I have lifted more then that - shhhh just dont tell the safety police .

Question is, is 235lbs significant enough for you? That is pretty much a good eating guy sitting in the bucket. The BX can lift that much all day long with no ill effects whereas we can only do it a few times and then get tired. The BX can move quite a few of tons of dirt this way with no problem.

You decide.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I have FEL loader forks. I've used them on B's and BX's. Currently have a BX25.
These pictures are on a BX2660 carring a double recliner couch up the drive.

 

[dennisgw]

Radioman, BX documents may say 200+ kilograms, NOT 235 lbs. My BX spec is something like 460 lbs. I also have the Bxpander forks. Very useful for carrying many things, BUT, you cannot lift more than what it was designed for and more likely less if your weight tends to be at the tips of the forks. If you want to lift branches, tree trunks, pallets, etc that weigh less than 460 lbs you are fine.

 

[Tom_H]

You might also consider brush forks, depending upon what you intend to move. If primarily pallets, pallet forks are better; if primarily brush, then brush forks are better, but either one can move both. Both will move furniture, etc; I have moved a lot of furniture with my BX using brush forks. Even a toothbar or landscape rake on the FEL can help you scoop stuff into the bucket better. Another helpful addition is a FEL bucket grapple, which can be used in combination with a toothbar or brush forks. (Let me know if you want to read more and/or see pics of this-I can dig up the old threads in the archives.) Chain hooks and slip hooks are also an inexpensive and valuable addition to a FEL.

A carry-all on the 3ph can move heavier pallets than your FEL with pallet forks can; it just can't lift the pallets high. If you only need to move things, but don't need to lift more than a foot off the ground, you might consider a carry-all. It's very versatile. I have used mine to move furniture and also as a base for my strap-down 15 gal. sprayer. If you want to shrink wrap firewood on pallets and be able to move them from say a barn to the house throughout the winter, the carry-all will be able to lift that kind of weight, while the FEL with forks may not (especially without counterweight on the rear). If you want to stack pallets, you need the FEL with forks, but be very careful about lifting a lot of weight really high with a BX; it could easily tip.

I have this brush fork:

Paynesforks.com - Debris Forks

 

[glaziaj1]

I hve a BX25 with the Bxpanded forks and i use theme almost every week, they are so handy

 

[radioman]

Radioman, BX documents may say 200+ kilograms, NOT 235 lbs. My BX spec is something like 460 lbs. I also have the Bxpander forks. Very useful for carrying many things, BUT, you cannot lift more than what it was designed for and more likely less if your weight tends to be at the tips of the forks. If you want to lift branches, tree trunks, pallets, etc that weigh less than 460 lbs you are fine.

ahh yeah -- i might'v read it wrong.. . lol! thanks for pointing it out:thumbsup: But my point is the same. BX is pretty capable, but not sure what OP is trying to do and why salesman trying to steer him away from BX.

 

[CT Jay]

I really like my BXpanded forks for my BX25.

I used them not too long ago (just before we got buried by snow back in Dec) to move a pile of brush that I had originally accumulated for chipping but then decided just to move it away and dump it out in the woods. I narrowed the spacing of the two forks a little bit, then chugged right into the bottom of the pile, curled & lifted the heap and carried it off. Neat, easy.

You have to be sure, though, if doing something like that, to dump while you're on fairly level ground, because when you uncurl the bucket to dump the load, the length of the forks requires quite a high bucket lift for the fork tips to clear the ground when you tip the FEL down, and that means tipover potential if not on reasonably level ground. I'd feel OK traveling along a 10 degree side slope (carefully) but not a chance in the world I'd do a high FEL raise, even with no weight in the bucket, on a tilt like that.

I also use my forks for carrying lumber, etc. I tore down an old treehouse that was falling apart, and carted off the old boards......see jpgs....perfect for that.

If you're going to lift a grand piano, though, then these forks aren't what you need....but then, a BX isn't the machine for the job, either.

J

 

[jb62901]

Im using homemade forks for many things around the place. Thinking I may have had close to 600-700lbs on them ( BX2360) They are also used on the 3PH

http://oi56.tinypic.com/2cf369y.jpg

http://oi37.tinypic.com/wlytqh.jpg

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Technically as per the BX documents, the loader can lift 235lbs.

Where did you get that number from???

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Where did you get that number from???

Never mind...

 

[baryon]

...Technically as per the BX documents, the loader can lift 235lbs....

My manual says the lift capacity of the loader is 235kg (or 518 lbs.) when the bucket is level (not curled or dumped) and the loader arms are raised to max height. This is measured at the cutting edge of the bucket. While still raised to max height, the loader can lift 340kg (or 750 lbs.) at the pivot pins that secure the bucket to the arms. That's quite a big difference in lifting capacity for moving 500mm from the edge of the bucket back to the pivot pin. If the loader arms are raised about level with the hood, the max lifting capacity is 270kg (595 lbs.) at the cutting edge of the bucket, and 375kg (827 lbs.) at the pivot point.

 

[CHDinCT]

I used my BXpanded forks with my BX1860 to move brush and logs. You won't be moving 1000lb pallets with them but for light duty work up to a few hundred pounds, they're fine. But, if you bought your BX25 recently, you need to know that Kubota changed the lip on the late model BX25 FELs and the BXpanded clamps used with the forks don't fit (I believe Harry is working on a fix). See this thread.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/193382-bxpanded-bucket-hooks-new-bx25.html

 

[Dirk Lately]

I got my bucket forks this weekend, the $130 chain-attached ones from Ebay. Used them to move some pallets of firewood around, a few brush piles, stuff like that. They worked beautifully! I was able to lift enough weight that the rear tires wanted to come off the ground.

My biggest worry was that I wouldn't be able to see the fork tips when trying to get them into a pallet, but they are just long enough that if I sit up straight I can see the tips go in. Very nice.

And boy, were they cheap!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I think just about anyone that has a front bucket should have a set of forks and a Boxblade and a RatchetRake. Just my opinion. Forks for average around the property use can be gotten fairly cheap but they are really handy when the need arises.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I think just about anyone that has a front bucket should have a set of forks and a Boxblade and a RatchetRake. Just my opinion. Forks for average around the property use can be gotten fairly cheap but they are really handy when the need arises.

That's on our list too...

 

[Kanook]

Kubota FELs....the loader model (eg LA301) is the lifting capacity in KG. A LA301 is rated for 301kg...(2.2lb per kg)

 

[baryon]

That's interesting. I didn't notice that. My BX25 manual does list the lift capacity as 240kg at the bucket bottom, midpoint. And it certainly is an LA240 loader. That means it can lift less than that (235kg), at the bucket's cutting edge, when the bucket is raised 1500mm (5 feet). And more than that (270kg), at the bucket's cutting edge, when the bucket is at it's max height (6 feet). I erred earlier when I referred to the level of the hood (I should have said 5 ft.). I just don't get why they mention bucket bottom, midpoint vs. the cutting edge when the list the specs.