FEL Clamp on Forks

[jerrynycom]

Want to get some forks for my JD and found 2 clamp on forks that look good and have some decent reviews. Does anyone here have any input? The two I found are:

Medium Duty Tractor Forks, Bucket Forks, Loader Forks

Paynesforks.com - Tractor & Skid Steer Bucket Forks Attachments

I don't want the chain wrap around type and I don't want to take off my bucket either.

Another thing I was concerned was that I have a 4n1 bucket, and since my bucket opens/closes does that make the clamp on type a weaker fork?

Any help guys thanks!

 

[kennyd]

Jerry, you must explain to this hardheaded individual why you would not want to take the bucket off? :confused2: It it just SO easy! So many people spend LOTS of money to gain a QA setup that you already have for this very reason!

You will reduce your visibility, as well as lift capacity-and I think you will bend that 4n1 bucket since it's not attached at the heal of the bucket.

 

[jimcolt]

I have been using clamp on forks on my Kubota 4310 for over 3 years...fairly heavy use around the horse farm. I have lifted as much as 1600lbs with them....no effect on the bucket, in fact picking boulders out of my fields is much tougher on the bucket! They are much much faster than taking off the bucket.....I can switch back and forth from using the bucket to the forks in a few seconds.

I understand the need for the heavier duty "remove the bucket" type forks....visibility, strength, etc.....but there is a huge need for clamp on's as well. Especially good for light duty and occasional use! Mine are home made...pic attached.

Jim

 

[magicheater]

I have been using clamp on forks on my Kubota 4310 for over 3 years...fairly heavy use around the horse farm. I have lifted as much as 1600lbs with them....

Jim

You did a nice job building your forks, how much do they weigh? Your loader is rated for 1500 LBS.

 

[jimcolt]

The forks shown in my previous post weigh about 70 lbs each. I picked up a pallet of 20, 80# bags of concrete off my trailer (Landscape rake was on the 3 point hitch for weight)...I don't recommend this as the rear wheels get pretty light...definitely don't want to go downhill! They are overkill for my loader.....but I also have a new set that I just built this weekend with a lighter rating for smaller rigs....these should be good for about 1000lbs (calculated...I have not done my destructive testing yet!) The lighter ones weigh about 30lbs each, and were requested by my wife who uses my tractor on occasion!

I find that the key to making these forks work well is a good fit on the bucket. The weight with mine is not on the clamp screw, but on the slot that slides on the cutting edge. They will lift the same weight with the clamp screw removed. A good fit helps the forks resist getting pushed sideways as well. Here ar my light weight ones that would be great for homeowner/under 25HP tractors.

I happen to have a cnc plasma cutter in my home shop...so cutting all of the metal parts is a breeze and it makes for a very nice looking fork!

 

[Cidertom]

I don't think the clamp-on will work with the 4 in 1. The bottom of the JD 4 in 1 is not a single plate. It is triangular in cross section. Having a 4 in 1 and JD forks on my 4520, and having had clamp style on my 4300, I can say it is about as fast to drop the bucket and pick up the forks. The ones I had were a pain to get clamped tight enough.

 

[WH401]

Jerry, you must explain to this hardheaded individual why you would not want to take the bucket off? :confused2: It it just SO easy! So many people spend LOTS of money to gain a QA setup that you already have for this very reason!

You will reduce your visibility, as well as lift capacity-and I think you will bend that 4n1 bucket since it's not attached at the heal of the bucket.

+1. I think you'd be much better off going with a set of genuine pallet forks from JD or Horst, particularly since I too would be worried about bending the bucket since it isn't "solid".

 

[jerrynycom]

Ok OK I get the idea, so know I am looking at the JD AL1240F Pallet Forks....Think my dealer said about $1000.00, sound right? I never took my bucket off yet, I guess its fast and easy huh? Spending 400-500 on clamp ons don't make sense when for about 1000 I get the real deal. How are these forks for picking up debris and logs and such?

Here's the link I found:

Fixed or floating tines available

Thanks again guys! :thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

Ok OK I get the idea, so know I am looking at the JD AL1240F Pallet Forks....Think my dealer said about $1000.00, sound right? I never took my bucket off yet, I guess its fast and easy huh? Spending 400-500 on clamp ons don't make sense when for about 1000 I get the real deal. How are these forks for picking up debris and logs and such?

Here's the link I found:

Fixed or floating tines available

Thanks again guys! :thumbsup:

There are a little cheaper options like Everything Attachments or Horst Welding And I think the Frontier ones come a little cheaper that 1K.

Taking your bucket off is a piece of cake (with icing)

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Hardest part of removing the bucket on CX400 loader is getting my brother to pull the pins so I don't have to get off the tractor and walk up to the front.