Forks-quick, cheap, simple

[BB_TX]

If you have an older tractor without quick attach FEL and would like some forks, here is an idea. I needed something to haul logs, brush, lumber, etc. I have never had need to carry pallets, so I was not concerned about fork spread.
About $15 and less than 2 hours and I had made what I needed. ON/OFF in less than a minute. My bucket already had 2 holes in it, so I just lined up the forks to match the existing holes. See next attachment also.

 

[BB_TX]

It is made of 2x2x11ga sq tube and 2x2 angle. Angle slips over the front edge of the bucket and the bolts swing up thru the existing holes. One more attachment after this.

 

[BB_TX]

The whole thing weighs probably about 35-40 pounds so you can pick it up and carry it. Load limit? Don't know, but I can stand on the end of a fork with no noticeable deflection (about 190 pounds).

 

[dummy]

Looks real good from here. Nice and simple, what could be better?

 

[Mark_in_NH]

BB TX,
Being a fellow 950 owner, that was like looking at a set of forks on my own tractor. what year is yours ? Nice looking piece of work and a great idea. Thank you for sharing with us. I will have to keep them in mind (I saved your pictures). I also like the canopy, I am still trying to get my hands on a second hand, JD deluxe one from a salesman at my local JD dealer. Attached is a picture of my 950 with backhoe removed.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Side view of my 950, shows the new weight box.

 

[Egon]

Nice looking forks.
If you are going to carry logs perhaps think about putting a stop of some kind on the bucket so the logs cannot roll back into your lap if one get's forgetfull or careless and lifts too high and curls the bucket at the same time.

Egon

 

[Youare]

I like what you did.

Every now and then forks like that would come in handy moving brush and lumber. Looks like a piece of plywood on top would make a great portable bench.

Randy

 

[BB_TX]

<font color=blue>what year is yours ? </font color=blue>
Mine is a 1984 although I have only had it a couple years.
I noticed your wheels are at the widest setting. Mine are two spaces narrower. Been thinking of moving mine out one more notch for extra stability (ditches along roadway test my pucker factor). I would like to stay within 6' so that I can run a 6' tiller without offset.

 

[BB_TX]

<font color=blue>stop of some kind on the bucket </font color=blue>
I agree a stop would be nice. But most of my hauling is relativly small stuff where I am still cleaning up from last years ice storm. Or small cedars that I have been clearing. I carry it on the forks and dump it on a burn pile. Anything large enough and not too dry for fire wood gets cut up.

 

[Mark_in_NH]

BB TX,
Yes, mine are at there widest setting. Side wall to Side wall (outsides) they are approx. 73". Actual tread on the ground area is approx just under 6'.

 

[ronjhall]

Bill
Sure is a simple and useful setup. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I could have save a good amount of $$$$ if I had made an attachment like yours. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[RanchMan]

That's the niftiest thing I've seen! /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Hmmm, you're giving me ideas...... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[duanet]

I like your idea. Before I saw yours I thought I'd try pressure treated southern pine 2X4s as forks. I cut a bevel on one end and they ended up 37" long (a little over 2' usable fork) for no good reason other than the length of one I had was 74". I wedged them inside the FEL bucket with a vertical 2X4, and lifted the rear end of my '75 Honda Civic off the ground with it (see attachment). Eventually I'll probably make something more permanant, maybe like yours, but these will certainly move piles of brush.

<font color=green>Duane</font color=green>

 

[duanet]

Here's a picture of the what's inside the bucket. The 2X4s were salvaged from a mobile home porch. I wouldn't use white pine or spruce, but southern pine or hardwood should work fine. This was strictly a "test" so will probably put a spacer between the forks and maybe a couple of other refinements. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

<font color=green>Duane</font color=green>

 

[Spencer]

Duane, that is pretty amazing. I wouldn't want to be under that car but still pretty amazing just the same.

Spence

 

[Egon]

I made some forks on almost the same principle only I used two sections of galvanised sign post and bolted them to the bottom of the bucket with a flat stap on the bottom of the bucket for more support. I also added two prongs of flat iron at the top of the bucket so things like logs would not roll back in my lap.

Egon