Forks OK Just how useful and essential are Pallet Forks

[Deere Dude]

I have some 48" forks and love them. They are as handy as a bucket because with my bucket and teeth, I can just get under a 10-12" log and if I move the tractor wrong it seems to fall off. With forks I can get under a log and then go on to the next one and then the next one and so on without having to carry them singly. Plus I can carry probably 4 or 5 logs without ever getting off the tractor. Then I can cut them all at one time while they are chest high. I can then cut the logs, some of then are minimum 20' long in 18" pieces while they are on the forks. Just keep on whittling them down on both ends. I can't remember the last time I had to bend over to cut a log. I love them for picking up brush piles and even pushing brush piles around. I should have gotten them sooner.

 

[wolc123]

I made a set of pallet forks from heavy 4" angle iron. I just bolt a couple 5 ft lengths under the bucket, in line with the loader arms. Each is attached with (2) 1/2" bolts, one through the pre-drilled hole along the cutting edge (where a toothbar would attach) and the second thru holes that I drilled through the bucket further back. They work good, especially for moving and lifting logs. I also made some wood extensions for these forks from wood 2x6's that I use for lifting the cap off my pickup. It sure beats getting the wife to help me with that job. I also made a wide, center scoop from a piece of 12" x 3" channel iron, that also bolts to the bottom of the bucket on center. This works very good for transplanting trees. I can move a 10 ft blue spruce in just a few minutes by using the scoop to dig a hole, then go over to the tree and "scoop" it out. A small chain wrapped around the trunk holds it in place during transport to the pre-dug hole. I cant imagine a commercial tree spade would work much better. I dont have any money invested in materials, and probably less than an hour time in making the forks and the scoop. The heavy-duty bucket on my JD 4120 digs very well without a toothbar, and I am glad I dont have one because I get a lot of use out of them toothbar mounting holes. I also attach chain hooks there, which works better than welding them on top because you get more lift from rollback.

 

[LBrown59]

My dealer keeps trying to add a set of Woods pallet forks to my order.

I keep scratching them off the list, partially because I got the grapple, and partially because I'm not sure I will use them enough, and I was planning to find them used somewhere, someday. Originally I was going to buy Pallet forks as a cheap alternative to a grapple.

So. Other than moving my attachments around, or moving lumber I am building something with, or ???, what the heck will I be using pallet forks for (keeping in mind I have a grapple)?

PS - Bonus Question - Are the Woods Pallet Forks as good as he is telling me they are?

Just curious...
Thanks in advance,
David

There are lots of things and items you can pick up with forks that you can't with
A grapple.

 

[dstig1]

I'll reiterate - based on your other thread, you are going to be big into brush, logs, and trees/clearing in general. You've already got the grapple. You will almost never take it off for that work. If you find you need to lift things such as pallets or other stuff that is not easy to do with a grapple or bucket, then you can make yourself a good case to look at getting forks. Ain't hard to do later on....and I think you will find most (all?) of your immediate need is grapple based.

One thing you find with any new equipment class you are unfamiliar with (like tractors) is that there is a learning curve as to what you need and what you don't and how to work it all. You will be in good shape with the grapple and bucket to start. Use it a bit, and see how it goes.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I'll reiterate - based on your other thread, you are going to be big into brush, logs, and trees/clearing in general. You've already got the grapple. You will almost never take it off for that work. If you find you need to lift things such as pallets or other stuff that is not easy to do with a grapple or bucket, then you can make yourself a good case to look at getting forks. Ain't hard to do later on....and I think you will find most (all?) of your immediate need is grapple based.

One thing you find with any new equipment class you are unfamiliar with (like tractors) is that there is a learning curve as to what you need and what you don't and how to work it all. You will be in good shape with the grapple and bucket to start. Use it a bit, and see how it goes.

Dave,

You summarize this for me VERY well. I'm concerned about the learning curve personally and I have a TON of work to do.

I believe the grapple and the stump grinder will get a serious workout. So will my Stihl FarmBoss :thumbsup:

I'm going to get pallet forks, but I'm going to resist getting them now and either look for a good set used, or wait until I need them. My wife thinks I will need them soon as I start finishing the attic. Which is soon... I have a Dormer the last owner moved to the back of the house, and it was not done correctly and it leaked during Irene.:thumbdown:

I know I am not done purchasing attachments, not by a long way. I just need to space them out a bit now. Forks, box blade, log splitter, etc... All down the road.

I'm going to go out and get some hours with the grapple right away, soon as it arrives!

Thanks,
David

 

[xtn]

If you didn't have forks, how did you unload your grapple? Lol.

In addition to the stuff already mentioned, I use my forks to lift up my mower when I need to pressure wash under it.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

If you didn't have forks, how did you unload your grapple? Lol.

In addition to the stuff already mentioned, I use my forks to lift up my mower when I need to pressure wash under it.

xtn,

It's not here until tomorrow.

He said he will deliver it with the grapple attached, the bucket in the grapple, and the BB72x on the rear. The stump grinder is a week or 10 days out, and he will bring pallet forks with him and use my tractor to "deliver" it. I suspect he knows I will likely buy the forks when he delivers the grinder...

David

 

[JB4310]

xtn,

It's not here until tomorrow.

He said he will deliver it with the grapple attached, the bucket in the grapple, and the BB72x on the rear. The stump grinder is a week or 10 days out, and he will bring pallet forks with him and use my tractor to "deliver" it. I suspect he knows I will likely buy the forks when he delivers the grinder...

David

Good salesman

If you are going to be doing any type of construction projects, the forks are a necessity (just look at any construction site) and the grapple is useless. You can't can't say that vice versa,
Because even though the grapple is awesome for brush and log handling, I can do a decent job of it with forks (doing it today, cleaning up).

So I believe the forks are way more versatile, grapple is more specialized.

In other words, I can live without a grapple but couldn't without forks.

JB

 

[MarkV]

I am surprised no one mentioned firewood. Stacking firewood on a pallet and moving it to the house with forks sure saves stacking twice.

MossflowerWoods I think you are only the second person on the forum that I have heard of buying a stump grinder. Was just wondering what continues need you saw for a attachment that is that expensive.

MarkV

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I am surprised no one mentioned firewood. Stacking firewood on a pallet and moving it to the house with forks sure saves stacking twice.

MossflowerWoods I think you are only the second person on the forum that I have heard of buying a stump grinder. Was just wondering what continues need you saw for a attachment that is that expensive.

MarkV

MarkV,
I like the pallets of firewood idea...

Right now I have 5 acres of stumps that is supposed to be a horse pasture, and 42 acres of forest that will become mature in the next few years and I might want to do something else with portions of that land.

So the professional mulcher/grinder with their 300HP massive grinder will only take the stumps down to the dirt (so I can bush-hog and sow grass) and costs me most of the cost of a stump grinder every day, and to grind my 5 acres, plus the perimeter and fire access "trails" is going to cost me more than 2 stump grinders minimum.

The wife said, buy the grinder and own it for 20 years and not pay all that money to a contractor...

That was her logic. I hope it is valid.

I'm going to be MUCH slower, but I have more time than money...

Especially after my tractor payments start!

David