FEL Clamp-on Forks

[RichT]

Many thx to Madreferee for his plans and help. Trip to local steel yard snared the 3x1.5 bar channel for $20, had everything else. I reduced the overall size just slightly to save a few pounds for my bota BX22. Also added some clamp pads as Madreferee suggested in his plans, with a welded nut to enable removal of the clamp bolt.

Good workout for my Miller 175, using .030 wire with 75/25 gas. Finished the forks off with POR15 grey followed by POR15 black top coat. Took me a day to do all the cutting, welding, then coating.

Did some testing today for bucket capacity using the forks with a pallet. Able to lift about 400lbs with my BX, about what I figured given the 460lbs spec. First job will be to remove 400lbs vertical compressor from trailer and place in barn/workshop.

 

[RichT]

Underside pic

 

[RichT]

Closeup of clamp rod showing clamp pad

 

[RichT]

Final pic - capacity test using some Chrysler hardware.

 

[MadReferee]

Nice job.

I just finished making the 6th set of forks to come out of my shop. I still have to make a set for myself. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I have updated my plans to reflect a few things I have changed in the construction process. As always plans are free, just PM me and give me your REAL email address.

 

[RichT]

First (BIG) test of the clamp ons - lifting a 450lbs vertical compressor off my trailer and moving it into my barn/workshop. Equally big test of my BX22 which was up to the task.

 

[RichT]

Moving it to the barn. These clamp-on forks already paid for themselves, saving me $100 delivery charge on the compressor. Folks, thats nearly 500lbs in the air which probably doesn't impress most of you with bigger tracs, but it impressed my neighbor who owns a Deere 410 backhoe.

 

[jtfx6552]

The "original" plans looked great!

I just sent a PM asking for the latest planx.

The original plan refers to a roll stop. I'm a little thick here and wasn't sure exactly what was meant by that.

Do the new plans elaborate on that at all?

thanks in advance,


JT

 

[MadReferee]

The roll stop can be an 18" or so section of bar channel that would take the place of the front riser. Roll stops would be helpful if you are planning on carrying stuff like logs and not pallets. They keep stuff from rolling back into the bucket.

When I build a set for myself I will update the plans to reflect what I did.

 

[LBrown59]

<font color="red"> added some clamp pads as Madreferee suggested in his plans, with a welded nut to enable removal of the clamp bolt.
</font>

*****************
Like the pads
Was thinking of adding pads before I came across this thread.

2 things I don't like about the clamp bolts.
A - You can't place the forks the entire width of the bucket apart because the handles hit the end of the bucket.
B - The handles on the clamp bolts are to short making it more difficult to get the forks tight enough to keep them from twisting from side to side. Also makes it hard to loosen the clamp bolts to remove the forks.

<font color="brown">
I plan to resolve these 2 issues by replacing the clamp bolts with regular bolts and using a 1/2 inch drive socket wrench for the handle </font>