Multipurpose 2" Receiver Fork Plate for FEL

[LFEngineering]

I've had good luck with my rear 3p fork system lifting upwards of 1300lb. Since my FEL is only good for 660lb using the receiver forks and 2x2x3/16 tubing was a no-brainer.
Outside recivers = normal pallets.
One outside & center receiver = skinny pallets
Center receiver = trailer ball, log tongs, boom pole mount, winch mount, any number of off the shelf items.
The vertical receivers are for storage of accessories as well as a future upgrade of a hydraulic grapple.

 

[davedj1]

We need a like button!
Did you buy receivers or did you buy some square stock of the proper size?
I'm wanting to add a receiver to my logging winch just to move the log splitter or maybe an empty trailer.

 

[LFEngineering]

Amazon has some nice Curt brand 6" receivers, those were the ones I used on the 3pt lift. I used harbor freight receivers in the front plate (gasp). Like most of their stuff; you get what you pay for. The fit and finish is ugly, but they work.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Very nice, well planned out, and versatile. It looks like you have a pin-on bucket too and made it relatively easy to change over. :thumbsup:

How long are your 2X2X3/16 fork arms ? Did you figure the strength or just know from experience they would be good for your use ? I have been thinking of making some out of 2X2X1/4 but do not know how to figure what they would pick vs length.

gg

 

[tomplum]

Definitely creativity to be proud of! These compact, sub compact tractors sure don't need a 300#+ fork set up. :thumbsup:

 

[BukitCase]

If you're gonna go crazy like LFE (and I) did, the raw tubing (2.530" OD, 2.030" ID) at my steel supplier runs right at $8 per foot (20 foot stick only) - which is about half what the ready-made tubes cost - of course, doing it that way you don't get the extra square ring, but I've not seen that it's necessary yet.

I welded 7 (not a typo) 12" receivers on the bucket of my old 580B; a pair of "over-under" at outer edges (lower is against the bucket, upper is 12" higher), then a pair in line with loader arms, and finally I bridged between the loader arm mounts with a full-welded piece of 10" C channel for a center receiver - then I started adding to my "tinker toy" collection as needed - I use 'em for lifting, dragging, holding a 3'x10' work platform, moving entire medium size trees, fall protection for changing bulbs on 15' light poles, working on hydraulic cylinders, connecting my 6'x8'x2' brush bucket, moving 20' long bundles of steel, etc - there's more, but here's a few examples -

 

[BukitCase]

And a few more -



Like I said, LFE isn't the ONLY one going nuts but "options" sure let you solve a bunch of different problems - my method is to only add new "adapters" when I can't cobble a solution together for the problem at hand - and it's been awhile since that's been necessary. Recently I needed to move my 600+ pound gun safe down to the shop - hooked up the brush bucket, added a 45* adapter to the center receiver (to get a straight pull on the little winch) - set the bucket next to the concrete porch, slipped a piece of scrap plywood under the leading edge of the safe (still on its pallet), and drug it up into the brush bucket and all the way up against the loader bucket - drove down to the shop and got the pallet jack under it, moved it where it needed to be; done, no sore back/pulled muscles, etc... Steve

(and no, I wouldn't recommend SOME of the things I've done if you have a SCUT; my old 580 will lift 4000 lbs - it kinda struggles lifting one end of an empty 40' container (half of 8800 lbs) - but even a smaller tractor is capable of more than most humans can do...

 

[LFEngineering]

And a few more -

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Like I said, LFE isn't the ONLY one going nuts but "options" sure let you solve a bunch of different problems - my method is to only add new "adapters" when I can't cobble a solution together for the problem at hand - and it's been awhile since that's been necessary. Recently I needed to move my 600+ pound gun safe down to the shop - hooked up the brush bucket, added a 45* adapter to the center receiver (to get a straight pull on the little winch) - set the bucket next to the concrete porch, slipped a piece of scrap plywood under the leading edge of the safe (still on its pallet), and drug it up into the brush bucket and all the way up against the loader bucket - drove down to the shop and got the pallet jack under it, moved it where it needed to be; done, no sore back/pulled muscles, etc... Steve

(and no, I wouldn't recommend SOME of the things I've done if you have a SCUT; my old 580 will lift 4000 lbs - it kinda struggles lifting one end of an empty 40' container (half of 8800 lbs) -
but even a smaller tractor is capable of more than most humans can do...

Wow, NICE.

As for the length. My "rear" forks are 48" those were the ones shown in the pictures. I'm also making a set of 36" for the "front". of course their interchangeable so whatever the job needs.

 

[Normanc]

With the coronavirus keeping us self isolated, it has given me some time to add a fel hitch receiver to the bucket of my Kubota. Here are a few pictures. I used a 6” long 2” receiver and cut a hole in the back of the bucket to allow longer bars to be inserted. I made a cap to stay in place when I’m not towing.

 

[bailbud]

Built a quick one about 10 years ago still works great just slips over the cutting edge and 2 bolts. Moves my 18 ' deck trailer full of fire wood or my 3 horse gn trailer.