Front-End Loader FEL Forks

[nunyabinis]

I was going to fab my own FEL forks but I've been giving SERIOUS consideration to buying these instead:



Howse Pallet Forks for Front-End Loader, Model# SXFLPF-R-NT | Forklift Forks + Extensions | Northern Tool + Equipment



Thoughts?




.

 

[AchingBack]

When I bought my Rankin pin-on loader forks, I didn't realize some manufacturers make the forks dual purpose so you can use them on the 3 point hitch. Now I am in the process of having mine converted. I could have saved myself from extra expense, and work.

 

[J_J]

I was going to fab my own FEL forks but I've been giving SERIOUS consideration to buying these instead:



Howse Pallet Forks for Front-End Loader, Model# SXFLPF-R-NT | Forklift Forks + Extensions | Northern Tool + Equipment



Thoughts?




.

I have one of those units, got it in some trading, and I was just looking at it yesterday, wondering what I could make with the frame. I really didn't know it was factory made. I thought someone built it. Well anyway it is just sitting there with some bent forks. Don't know how or why it happened. The round bar that goes through the fork is bent also. Lots of heavy metal in the frame, but the forks are channel with a piece of angle welded down the center of the channel to beef it up, which didn't work on this set of forks.

 

[Redbug]

Hey JJ...I would make one of those 3 point hitch on the loader arm kinda things with it, if you don't already have one...

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/142456-3-point-hitch-loader-arms.html

 

[J_J]

I just might make another grapple/root-rake.

 

[nunyabinis]

I have one of those units, got it in some trading, and I was just looking at it yesterday, wondering what I could make with the frame. I really didn't know it was factory made. I thought someone built it. Well anyway it is just sitting there with some bent forks. Don't know how or why it happened. The round bar that goes through the fork is bent also. Lots of heavy metal in the frame, but the forks are channel with a piece of angle welded down the center of the channel to beef it up, which didn't work on this set of forks.

Thanks JJ. I could see by the pic that the forks are made of channel.
The specs say they have a 2000lb capacity and since my FEL lift capacity is only 1300lbs I figured they may work for my needs.

I have a set of VERY heavy forks that came off a large fork lift that I can always use to retrofit this frame with if the OEM forks prove too flimsy.

I'll give it more thought.

 

[J_J]

nunyabinis,

I am originally from SC. Born in Manning , lived in Dillon for several years, and Clinton for 16 yr.

 

[J_J]

Thanks JJ. I could see by the pic that the forks are made of channel.
The specs say they have a 2000lb capacity and since my FEL lift capacity is only 1300lbs I figured they may work for my needs.

I have a set of VERY heavy forks that came off a large fork lift that I can always use to retrofit this frame with if the OEM forks prove too flimsy.

I'll give it more thought.

You could probably build one. If interested, I will take some close up pictures.

 

[jinman]

Thanks JJ. I could see by the pic that the forks are made of channel.
The specs say they have a 2000lb capacity and since my FEL lift capacity is only 1300lbs I figured they may work for my needs.

Just one thing to consider. . . If your lift capacity is 1300 lb, what would happen if all the weight was only on one fork due to a shift or unbalanced load? To be safe with forks, you want each fork to have the ability to lift the maximum rating of your loader. More is even better. I'm painfully aware of this because I broke a dual spear hay bale fork one time while using it to lift a pile of wood. One fork was under the pile and the other was not lifting anything. I didn't realize it until a weld gave up and the forks failed.

 

[Redbug]

JJ...How did you wind up in Jacksonville? I used to live at Waycross for about 10 years. We sometimes would go down to Jax for something when we could not find it in Waycross. (Trip to the big city). That was the very first time I ever stepped into a Lowe's. It was a religious experience...

 

[J_J]

JJ...How did you wind up in Jacksonville? I used to live at Waycross for about 10 years. We sometimes would go down to Jax for something when we could not find it in Waycross. (Trip to the big city). That was the very first time I ever stepped into a Lowe's. It was a religious experience...

To be clear, I was in an orphanage in Clinton, SC for 14 years, and really didn't have a home.

Well, after putting 22 years in the Navy, and being stationed at many places, and this being my last duty station, It seemed like a good place to settle down. It has all the things that I like to do. Lots of welding supplies, hydraulics shops, bunch of Home Depots, and Lowe's, etc. I almost forgot, large flea markets. I have found a lot of my good stuff at the markets. and lastly good food every where.

 

[Johndeere3720]

I would make my own forks. My forks are for the 3 point since my dad already had a set for the loader. I love to tow trailers with them. I tried to move the dump trailer with a load last sunday and lowered the stand to get the hitch on the ball. I watched as the fork bent more and more until I said that the weld might break. I bet there was 3 tons on the stand.