Fork question

RegL · Apr 18, 2004

This question is for someone who has pt forks, or better yet, has adapted other forks with PT adaptor. I picked up an old set at auction yesterday that I'm going to have the adaptor plate welded on. What I need to know is, what angle should the adaptor plate be installed at so you get the proper amount or rollback and dump? I am guessing about the same as the buckets but want to hear it from the experts.

MossRoad · Apr 18, 2004

Attached is a picture of mine on our PT425(taken just for you about 5 minutes ago).... from the picture, you can see that they are attached to the mounting plate at less than a 90 degree angle, and there is a thinner plate welded vertically at a 90 degree angle.

The forks were only $$250.00 when I bought them new. An attachment plate was $100.00. So, if you got the forks for under a hundred bucks, you'll come out ahead, even if labor is $50.00.

MossRoad · Apr 18, 2004

By the way, I used the forks to pop out a bunch of bamboo-like giant reed grass roots today. The forks jam into the ground pretty well if you rock the joystick left and right while dancing on the treadle pedals. Put them in and out a few times around a bush or small stump, then start working it up and out of the ground. Works great! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RegL · Apr 19, 2004

MR, Thanks for the pic. About what I figured as far as the angle go's. The forks I got are the skid steer quick connect type and the backing plate is straight up and down, so I'll have to have the welder build in an angle for PT plate. By the way, I payed $350 but PT wants $1200 last time I checked. I think yours were less becaused they are fixed rather than adjustable.

MossRoad · Apr 19, 2004

What size PT are you putting them on? Adjustable forks would be nice, but any weight that we add to the front of the little PT425 would be a detriment. Once you get into the larger units, it doesn't matter as much.

RegL · Apr 20, 2004

I'm putting them on the 1430. They are not real heavy one's, I would guess about 200 lbs. I'll let you know how they work when I find time to get them rigged up. By the way, when I was at the auction, i think I could hear Sedgewood's PT running just over the hill.

J_J · Apr 20, 2004

All I did on the forks and carridge assembly that I bought, was to weld a three point setup to the back of the carridge frame. Did you get the carridge assembly with the forks ? Mine add about 225 lbs to the front. I also cut a 1 in hole in the tip of the fork for a 1 in ball to move trailers, boats and such. Good luck with yours.

J.J.

Sedgewood · Apr 21, 2004

<font color="red"> By the way, when I was at the auction, i think I could hear Sedgewood's PT running just over the hill.
</font>

It's tough keeping PT away from those auctions - he's always on the lookout for new stuff to break! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Sedgewood

RegL · Apr 21, 2004

JJ, The forks did come with the carrage frame, the type used on a skid steer. I plan to mount the PT attachment plate to the back of it. It looks like the PT dosen't have as much role back as a skid steer so the PT plate can't be mounted flush with the back of the fork's frame, it will have to be angled forward some what. I think the same angle thats built into the large bucket will work but I will study it some before I get it welded up. Oh! one of the forks has that hole drilled in it. You better check and see if you still have yours. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

J_J · Apr 22, 2004

Yes, I still have all three. On the carridge, , my link arm has a two position hole for different implements. This allows me to point the forks down to about a 75 degree angle. I can curl up enough to dump what ever I am lifting all over me. Have to be careful. I also welded a 2 in receiver on the lower bar of the carridge to hall things around.

On the third fork, I am trying to make a mini-hoe. I think it's going to work out.

SpringHollow · May 30, 2011

I added about 3 - 4 inches of steel at the bottom of the plate to increase back tilt. I wish i had added more.

No way i could get by with fixed forks.

Ken

stray · Jun 1, 2011

Love to see a pic of that

SpringHollow · Jun 1, 2011

Here is a picture showing the metal added for the angle of the plate on my bucket as well as the adjustable top link i used to replace the fixed one.

Amazing how rust gets magnified by flash.

Clumber · Jun 2, 2011

SpringHollow said:
Here is a picture showing the metal added for the angle of the plate on my bucket as well as the adjustable top link i used to replace the fixed one.

Amazing how rust gets magnified by flash.

What's the advantage of an adjustable top link? I see threads at the top and it appears to adjust by rotating the link body by only an inch. Just curious.

SpringHollow · Jun 2, 2011

It is a standard tractor adjustable top link threaded like a turn buckle. There is quite a bit of range of adjustment to it (almost double the length of the top link although fully extended would be weaker). It is set shorter than the fixed top link that came with my PT. I seldom adjust it but it is nice to be able to when i do need it. I actually need to find a shorter than normal top link. There are times where even shorter would be nice.

Ken

J_J · Jun 2, 2011

SpringHollow,

Why not make one like mine with about 4 holes for different attachments. You will still have the strength of the top link.

MossRoad · Jun 2, 2011

J_J said:
SpringHollow,

Why not make one like mine with about 4 holes for different attachments. You will still have the strength of the top link.

Because the adjustable ones are infinitely adjustable and are only $25.00 for CAT1 or CAT2 at Rural King. The hardest part is matching up the correct bushings to go inside the ends. Seems every time I go to a farm supply store for two bushings, they only have one in the bin! :laughing:

I have an adjustable link left over from my 3PT hitch days before I wisened up and bought the Power Trac.