FEL Clamp on Forks

jerrynycom · Mar 29, 2010

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 · Mar 29, 2010

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 · Mar 29, 2010

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 · Mar 29, 2010

jimcolt said:
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 · Mar 29, 2010

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 · Mar 29, 2010

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 · Mar 29, 2010

kennyd said:
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 · Mar 30, 2010

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 · Mar 30, 2010

jerrynycom said:
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 · Mar 30, 2010

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.

Cidertom · Mar 30, 2010

Shop around and dicker. If you want to use them for logs and such, get fixed forks.

Your 4 in 1 complicates it a bit, but not much. If you have float on the spool that operates the 4 in 1 use it. Disconnect the lines, pop the pins, drop the bucket and back out while dumping the bucket. You will get fairly fast after a few times. One issue you find is on returning to the 4 in 1 after a hot day. The fluid in the bucket hyd will expand and cause you to swear. If the lines won't connect,you have to dump the pressure. Some people use the wrench method, I use a block of hardwood and a hammer. I have my forks on as much as the 4 in 1. Really handy and a lot lighter for moving the heavy items.

gerard · Mar 30, 2010

I made a similar pair of light duty forks from some scrap heavy square tube. Works well for logs and brush and such. I only have an 800lb lift capacity anyway so I don't have to worry about overloading them.

jimcolt · Apr 3, 2010

These are good for 1000 lbs centered 17 inches out from the bucket. Made from 2 x 2 .25 wall steel tube and the clamp plates from 3/8" steel....very handy for smaller (under 25 hp) homeowner rigs. Total usable fork length is 36".

TomWhite · Apr 3, 2010

jimcolt said:
These are good for 1000 lbs centered 17 inches out from the bucket. Made from 2 x 2 .25 wall steel tube and the clamp plates from 3/8" steel....very handy for smaller (under 25 hp) homeowner rigs. Total usable fork length is 36".

Nice looking forks. Do you mind telling where you got them, and the price?

Also, do the bolts tend to leave divots, or dents in your bucket?

EDIT: ARGG! I just re-read the first page of this thread and got reminded that you made those yourself.

jimcolt · Apr 3, 2010

Sold on NH and Vt Craigslist.. will ship, take paypal. The ones in the picture are $249 painted, $229 raw metal.Also have heavier duty forks.....pretty well made at the best prices I have seen. Link to the current ad in NH

Pallet Forks for tractor

jimcolt · Apr 3, 2010

There are pads that are 1-3/8" diameter on the bottom of the 7/8 clamp bolts. The load from the payload is not on the clamp...it is cantelevered between the slot that fits snugly over the cutting edge, and the back of the fork which is under the bucket. They will lift the same weight even without the clamp tightened.