Over the bucket forks

[bdog]

I am looking at putting some forks on my backhoe. It is a full size backhoe and does not have a skid steer style quick attach bucket.

I was looking at something like these. I have never used any like this before. They say they are super easy to hook up the forks just sit on the ground and you drive under them with the bucket tilted forward and then curl back to hook them. Do the reverse to unhook. You never have to leave the seat.

They do stick out in front of the bucket so I would lose some lifting capacity vs forks that replace the bucket but my loader is rated to lift 7,419 lb at full height so moving forward some isn't going to hurt me too much I don't think.

Anyone have experience with them?

 

[mshumack]

We had two sets at the municipality I worked at, one for Cat950 and the another on a Cat416. They do a good job, are easy to attach/remove, and we never had a failure or problem with them. As long as you know, and don't exceed, the capacity of the forks/FEL you should not have any problems.
The weak link would be the welds for the brackets to bucket. IMO, have a certified welder install the brackets.

 

[boggen]

my first gut reaction when looking at picture is..... the cutting edge of bucket going to get bent up in no time. or rather one good "smack" and time to deal with messed up cutting edge on bucket.

ratchet / bolt on forks. they slip right over bottom edge of bucket. little more work taking them on/off but.... *shrugs* normally just a handful of bolts overall.
--there some that slide into bucket, and then bolt in at the sides of the bucket as well.

with extra brackets, plus each fork (looking at picture)... while you might not have quick attach. if you have concrete / pavement were you can set both bucket and forks down. you might consider just taking off bucket and swapping to forks. and more to the point if you could make a couple dollys for both bucket and forks. so if need to you can push/pull them some what to align things up to make it easier to deal with. dolly = some caster wheels and some 2x4's slapped together.

 

[mshumack]

I never saw any bucket edge damage in the 10+ years I worked with them. We moved a lot of pallets of sod and concrete barricades and such. You shouldn't be ramming anything. I would not trust the clamp on forks as much as this type.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I have never seen clamp on forks for a backhoe. I have seen alot of contractor using the ones like the picture.

 

[fried1765]

bdog:
I have had a set of the forks that hook on, as you describe, for 25 years.
I have a 1970 Ford 3400, and my normal loader capacity is 2000 lbs.
I can only lift 1000 lbs with the forks way out there, but I LOVE THEM.
I have a factory set of forks to install instead of the bucket (2000 lbs. lift) but I have NEVER used them!
WAY too much trouble/effort to change from bucket to forks, to bucket to forks etc.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the type forks you are considering.
They make life EASY !!!

 

[caver]

I've been kicking the idea around of getting some for my Case 580K. I have QA forks for my Kioti DK40 but the hoe can lift twice as much. Seems like used ones go for close to new and you still have to buy the weld-on hooks or have some fabricated. I've had some logs that my Kioti could barely get on the saw mill and I will be building a cabin soon. Big heavy supplies would have to be unloaded up at the highway if it's on a tractor trailer.

Here's some links from what I've found.

Bucket Forks, Backhoe Forks, Over the Bucket Forks | All-Pro Forks
Over The Bucket Pallet Forks | Titan Attachments™
Over-The-Bucket Forks | Forks | Star Industries
Haugen Attachments
Premium Steel Bucket Forks - Arrow Material Handling Products
http://www.rocklandmfg.com/index.php?page=loader-bucket-forks

 

[Henro]

I have clamp on forks for my bucket.

The problem is you have difficulty seeing the fork tips because the bucket blocks your view. What you are considering would have the same issue.

Still they do work...

 

[stuckmotor]

It doesn't appear that you'll have down pressure with the tips of the forks, but you have a backhoe for that kind of thing.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have the same sticker as your avatar on my old caving helmet! I forget where I got it, but I always thought it was someone's home brew design.
I quit caving years ago, but still have all of my stuff. We did mostly small private caves in the NE United States. How about you?

 

[rgr33]

I have worked with the kind of forks you are considering. They are not nearly as good as good as QA forks, but better than clamp on.
Pros and cons: easy to hook on, and take back off, but you need the hooks welded on your bucket
Can’t see the fork tips worth a darn when close to the ground, might not be a problem with logs though.
You lose lifting capability due to forks being out front so far.
The forks sometimes slide out of position on the bar if not secured well while traveling on rough or sloped ground.
Even with the issues listed, I still use mine all the time, as you can hook them up without ever leaving the seat, a big plus for me.

 

[4570Man]

I have worked with the kind of forks you are considering. They are not nearly as good as good as QA forks, but better than clamp on.
Pros and cons: easy to hook on, and take back off, but you need the hooks welded on your bucket
Can’t see the fork tips worth a darn when close to the ground, might not be a problem with logs though.
You lose lifting capability due to forks being out front so far.
The forks sometimes slide out of position on the bar if not secured well while traveling on rough or sloped ground.
Even with the issues listed, I still use mine all the time, as you can hook them up without ever leaving the seat, a big plus for me.

No they’re not very good but for a full size backhoe they’re about the only option. It takes big money to convert one to quick attach.

 

[fried1765]

No theyæ±*e not very good but for a full size backhoe theyæ±*e about the only option. It takes big money to convert one to quick attach.

I had a set made for my old Ford 3400 (the one you guys think I sold for a premium price).
They were forks from an old Clark forklift, modified with a solid round cross bar (sliding forks), and hooks welded to the bucket.
I thought they were great....until....
I bought a set of new EA Q/A forks for my Kubota L48 TLB. It has a 3rd function diverter to lock them on, without dismount.
Much better too, because the lifted weight is not so far out on the loader.

 

[4570Man]

I had a set made for my old Ford 3400 (the one you guys think I sold for a premium price).
They were forks from an old Clark forklift, modified with a solid round cross bar (sliding forks), and hooks welded to the bucket.
I thought they were great....until....
I bought a set of new EA Q/A forks for my Kubota L48 TLB. It has a 3rd function diverter to lock them on, without dismount.
Much better too, because the lifted weight is not so far out on the loader.

That’s the biggest reason I sold my 310. I kinda wish I had it back, it was a much better backhoe than my M59. But I have a quick connect backhoe bucket, hydraulic thumb, quick connect front bucket and a grapple and forks on the M59. Adding all of that on the 310 would have cost more then the 28k I paid to start with. The M59 backhoe is bad enough I’m taking the dealer a check for a KX040 next week.

 

[Peter 315]

If your digging full time you need a excavator......The backhoe is good for playing around...

 

[fried1765]

If your digging full time you need a excavator......The backhoe is good for playing around...

Absolutely true......but just perfect for me!
80 years old and just "playing around".
I've been retired for 20 years.
Not really much "playing" now though either.

 

[caver]

I have the same sticker as your avatar on my old caving helmet! I forget where I got it, but I always thought it was someone's home brew design.
I quit caving years ago, but still have all of my stuff. We did mostly small private caves in the NE United States. How about you?

Mostly around Missouri in the Perryville area. I got out myself partially around 2000 time frame and did just a few trips over the years. My back couldn't handle it and packing on some pounds didn't help either. I too still have most of my gear including my old carbide cap lamps.