Made some pallet Forks

[LD1]

Starting to move stuff out of the garage and house and decided it was worth the time to make up some pallet forks.

They work very well indeed. Thought I would share

 

[George2615]

Great job. They look very heavy duty.

 

[k0ua]

You'r pretty handy with the steel ain't ya.

 

[LD1]

You'r pretty handy with the steel ain't ya.

I can make stuff stick every once in awhile

 

[George2615]

That's why they make those 100 amp glue sticks.

 

[RickB]

Nice build. If I could suggest, I much prefer the style that use a chain from the rear of the fork looped around the bucket with a binder attached about where your clamp is. Much less stress on the bucket floor & cutting edge

 

[JKR]

Nice work. But I would add 6 to 8" to the back of the fork. It will go under the bucket and take some stress off the bucket blade.

 

[LD1]

To answer the last few comments:

Thought about doing the chain type, but chain and binder I do not have and cost $$$. This was all scraps. I have $0 in them and about 2-3hrs work.

As to the length and under the heel, again, working with scraps. But as it is now the heel is only a few inches away from the heel of my Kubota bucket. And its not like its an overly powerful loader anyway. And the buckets on my how and dads how are a good bit stronger. I am sure they can handle anything the forks will lift.

 

[charles todd]

These are very similar to what we have built before. The flat cap on the clamp end should be tall enough to contact the bottom of the bucket. Helps support it. Chain on forks are over rated. If you need that much capacity, go skid steer mount and use pallet forks. Just my $0.02

Nice! Work. I use industrial scraps too!

CT

 

[murphy1244]

My Gosh LD you really have some talent with a welder!

 

[BukitCase]

I built a similar set a few years ago for my Case 580- used 2x6 .187" wall tubing, sliced a "vee" out of the front ends, clamped together and welded. I've picked up small cars with 'em, still straight.

Only problem is, without a "bucket camera", I can't see the tips of the forks thru that 1 yd. bucket

I built mine to extend under the bucket clear to the back heel, then inserted heavy 4" angle in the rear tubing and welded it, big hole in one side so I can chain 'em in place for repetitive/brush moving, etc -

Sooo, for pallets I started inserting the forks into the pallet, THEN tilt bucket downward, float it onto the forks, drive gently forward while curling the bucket, pick it up and go.

Fast forward, 80 lbs. per fork got heavier - not as much fun as it wasn't before :laughing:

So one of the next 20 projects is a QA system (current project) for the bucket, then a "forklift type" open frame that will take either the heavy pallet forks or a (already built) set of brush forks.

The open frame will be carefully designed with line of sight considerations, and might even WORK

Here's a "nearly done" shot of the brush forks

And a pic of the pallet forks

Forgot to add, I really appreciate your craftsmanship on your pallet forks, I'm sure you already know the use they'll get... Steve

 

[roadhunter]

My Gosh LD you really have some talent with a welder!

+1. Nice work.

 

[LD1]

Thanks for the compliments. But there are far more talented people on here than me I am sure. I am sure a pro can look closely and see may flaws.

Buckitcase: same issue using these forks on dads 4500TLB and 1yd bucket. Cannot see them. HAve to have a spotter when unloading the trailer, but still better than unloading by hand.

 

[mbkubota]

Thanks for the compliments. But there are far more talented people on here than me I am sure. I am sure a pro can look closely and see may flaws. Buckitcase: same issue using these forks on dads 4500TLB and 1yd bucket. Cannot see them. HAve to have a spotter when unloading the trailer, but still better than unloading by hand.

Nice job, I'd like to build some just like it. Did you fab the screw clamps? If not, can you tell me where you bought them? Thanks!

 

[charles todd]

View through my "forks." I actually took the complete fork assembly from a 6k forklift and welded a skid steer plate on. I'll get more pics of them. I need to paint them up. They look sad. Maybe black, maybe LS Blue. Tips will be safety yellow!




CT

 

[charles todd]

These are my bucket forks. I built these before I went skid steer attach and built the legit forks. Loosly copied the Northern Tool type forks.



Enjoy

CT

 

[whizdbiz2]

One thing I noticed that was missing on the homemade forks that the commercially available ones have is a pocket to put a wood 2x4 or piece of steel to hold the load when you curl the forks back. I got the small set recently from Titan and it has this pocket and a place for a chain binder to hook into it in addition to the clamp. Maybe y'all don't need that but seems like a good safety item. I bought because I don't have the material readily available, welding skills are many years rusty and don't have the time to do it. For $169 it was well worth it for what i need.

 

[LD1]

I didnt really need anything to stick up higher than the clamping part itself. It sticks up ~4" which is enough to keep the things I move from sliding back.

 

[charles todd]

I found more pics of when the forks were fresh built.





The only things I would do different (if anyone is interested in building forks)...

1. Add a T-handle to the 3/4" setscrew. Currently requires a 12"-15" crescent wrench to install and remove.
2. Add a piece of flat that extends a few inches off each side to contact the cutting edge to help stabilize the forks.
3. Make the heel plate taller to contact the bottom of the bucket better.
4. Maybe add a connection point on the heel of the fork to attach a chain and binder. Then bring chain around the bucket to bind forks tight.
5. Maybe add a pocket for a 2x4... Really not needed.

CT