My bucket forks.

[TheRealBuzz]

Well I'm not a fan of bucket forks but with no time to build a full QA system for my BX I threw this system together. They worked out pretty good and now that I've sold them with my BX to get a new GC2400TLB I realize how indispensable they really were. So I'm posting this a little belated to give them they credit they deserved 2 years ago.

They are quickly attached to the bucket using 2 spring latches from Princess Auto. The forks are fully adjustable side to side along the main beam and are kept from flipping up by tabs that hook under the leading edge of the bucket. The only modification to the bucket was drilling a 1/2" hole in each side for the pins.

Sorry the pics are a bit small, they were taken with my cell phone.
Hope you enjoy

 

[Train]

I've been trying to decide what method to use to attach mine and I just found it. Can you give us a little more info like, how are the latches attached to the tube? What size and gauge is the tube? How far do the forks extend from the bucket edge and how much weight would you guess that system is good for?

 

[TheRealBuzz]

The latches are welded to the tube. The tube was sched. 40. it's the heaviest part. The forks were about 3.5' long. They were solid enuff for more than the loader could lift anyway. Maybee 400lbs at the mid point.

They were great for moving stuff around on pallets and for moving logs. I was going to make some brush forks and some other things using the same attachment method.

 

[Scotty370]

Those are 'slick'! Thanks for sharing! ~Scotty

 

[Chilly807]

Looks like I have a new project lined up for after Christmas. Thanks for posting the pictures!

Sean

 

[HiTechTed]

I like this design. The ones I have and the ones I always see have the individual forks clamped to the bottom of the bucket, and they flex a bit.

Also on those pins, when you pull them is there a way to lock them in the open position, so you don't have to hold one while reaching for the other pin?

 

[Army grunt]

Thats a good looking setup..tks. for sharing
Army Grunt

 

[mwb]

I like this design. The ones I have and the ones I always see have the individual forks clamped to the bottom of the bucket, and they flex a bit.

Also on those pins, when you pull them is there a way to lock them in the open position, so you don't have to hold one while reaching for the other pin?

Those latches have a "lock open" position; when you want to close the latch just rotate the handle 90 degrees and it springs closed. I think the latch is intended for a heavy duty gate latch; I used one on my tilt trailer.

Found a picture of it:

 

[Aquaman]

LOVE IT!! Looks easy to build, handy to use, and best of all, it should work! Great job!

 

[mroldstyle]

Did you have any problems with the forks sliding together, or apart when traveling with no weight on them?