New Pallet Forks.... Question.

[Boiler74]

Hello all. I have a quick question. I just got a new set of Frontier Pallet forks for my 4710. I bought them on the pallet, not assembled. These are fixed forks, 48" long. The forks really fought me getting onto the carrier, and they slide side-to-side very hard. And yes, I am pulling the plunger stop up. Is this the way they are supposed to be? I have to use a sledge to get one fork to move. My only solution is to take a grinder and ease the edges of the carrier where the forks hook over the steel, with the hopes of making the forks slide easier.

Any advice greatly appreciated. And I hope I'm explaining my problem clearly enough.

Josh

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have similar experience to yours. Try see sawing the forks to move them. ... push the bottom over - then the top - bottom - top etc. I find that feet or a heavy dead blow hammer do well to get it to move out of a bind condition. Apply spray graphite to the top slide to ease the sticking. Having someone lift on the fork tip a little really helps a lot. The slide edges will wear in with time, but rounding them a little is a good idea. A flap disc would be the best tool for that.
larry

 

[om21braz]

I have the ITA-type Frontier forks and yes they are fitted pretty tight. The best advice I can give you is to make sure you pull the pin all the way up and keep the fork as close to 90 deg. to fitment rail as possible. Taking a wire brush/drill to remove paint/deburr and immediately lubricating helps much too.

 

[Boiler74]

Thanks for the advice. One fork is so stiff, I'm going to have to do something. But it's nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem.

Josh

 

[BayouMan]

I was having the same issue with my forks I had built myself. I was wondering if I was going to have to round the edges as well. Someone on this forum suggested tilting the forks down slightly and then move them. Works like a charm.
Mike