Pallet Fork extensions

   / Pallet Fork extensions #1  

Garandman

Elite Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
3,131
Location
Mount Sunapee NH / Dorchester, MA
Tractor
Kubota L3200 HST
We have the 3" wide x 42" long pallet forks on our L3200. We can pick up one end or the other of our snowmobiles, but the forks aren't long enough to reach past the balance point.

The dealer has some very long extensions on their forklift, and all I've found thus far is 8' or 10' extensions for 4" forks - at a cost of over $400. I looked for rectangular steel tubing and didn't find anything.

Something about 6' long would work for us. Any suggestions? One of the machines is about 400 lbs, the other closer to 600.
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions #2  
Maybe look at some C channel, you can weld straps across the bottom, no need for square tube. Hi-lo fork extensions look the way those are made. :) northern tool sells them
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions #4  
We use 3/16" wall rectangular steel tube stock for extensions on our forklift at work. Just picked up a couple 8' sections that slide over the forks. If you measure the thickest/widest part of the forks, look for the next largest tube closest to that size at a steel supplier. Rectangular tube dimensions tend to vary in 1/2" increments, though some sizes are more common/available than others. You may be able to get away with 1/8" wall for shorter lengths and lighter loads.

FEL lift capacity drops as the distance from the pin increases, so you might want to do the math to make sure it will work before you spend money on the extensions. It doesn't take too much distance for the L3200's capacity to drop below the 400-600# range. Normally, the loader specs include lift capacity at the pin, which you can use as the "zero" point in the calculation.
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions
  • Thread Starter
#5  
FEL lift capacity drops as the distance from the pin increases, so you might want to do the math to make sure it will work before you spend money on the extensions. It doesn't take too much distance for the L3200's capacity to drop below the 400-600# range. Normally, the loader specs include lift capacity at the pin, which you can use as the "zero" point in the calculation.
Already performed the experiment....
image-L.jpg
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions #6  
   / Pallet Fork extensions #8  
Why not build a pallet to sit the machines on and strap them to it then you can pick them up without extensions and from any side you happen to be on.
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Why not build a pallet to sit the machines on and strap them to it then you can pick them up without extensions and from any side you happen to be on.
It's a Chevy Express, don't think there's room.
 
   / Pallet Fork extensions #10  
Gotcha! i was just envisioning a way to move them around during the off season or something.
 
 

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