Pallet Forks for JD 5303 with JD 522 FEL

deere5105 · Mar 1, 2013

Considering adding a set of pallet forks to my collection of attachments. Early on I was convinced that the Frontier brand fixed 48" forks was what I needed. I priced them and they were around $1000. Was looking again recently and noticed that palletforks.com lists a set with the JD quick attach connections 48" long for $659. Was also an option to add bale spears for a little more to be able to move round bales. Don't currently move or work with hay, but can see benefits to being set up for it.

A few questions:
1) Noticed there was an option for 60" forks for not much more cost. Are the 48" forks long enough for most applications or would there be greater benefit to having the 60" forks?
2) Looks like the forks shown are a Titan brand. Any experience out there using these forks and how well built they are and how they hold up? Any need to spend the extra and go with the Frontier forks?

I realize that this company posts and sales on this forum and getting feedback may or may not be forthcoming. I am open to PM's if anyone has tried this product with regrets.

Thanks in advance.

blueriver · Mar 2, 2013

I'd say the length of the forks is a personal preference. I went with 36" forks for the simple reason I did not want them to extend out the pallet and someday I plan on the 3x3x8 square bales of hay and definatly didn't want them to extend past the bale.

I have that excact combo set with the bale spear ... love them.

deere5105 · Mar 3, 2013

Looks like these are pretty well built forks. Haven't come across any negative reviews on them.

I am a little torn over the length, 48" vs. 60". Part of me thinks the 60" would give a little more reach for some applications and maybe a little more capacity if moving logs. Drawback would likely be navigating with them sticking a little further out front. I suppose the loss of lift capacity by being further away from pivot points would not be an issue if it the load was supported closer to the frame. With that being said, is there really a disadvantage to the longer forks?

deere5105 · Mar 14, 2013

About ready to pull the trigger on a set of forks, but torn still over the length. Price difference to go from 42" to 48" = +$125 and from 48" to 60" = +$20. My gut feeling says go with the 48" forks which would hold a standard width sheet of plywood laid flat if needed. Don't see where anyone has complained of needing longer forks. See a lot of 42" forks and makes me wonder if it is worth saving $125 to go 42" or would I always regret not getting the 48". Over the long haul the $125 difference will be very small.

LouieJunior · Mar 14, 2013

Be mindful that longer forks will lower your lift capacity by theoretically moving the center of gravity of your load forward. The advantage to longer forks is being able to place pallets further onto your platform.

deere5105 · Mar 14, 2013

Guess I am curious if there is a "standard" length. I have noticed the Frontier for my size loader are 48". When I look at 6" on a ruler it doesn't seem like much to worry with, but then again I don't want to let the little extra in cost up front cost me regrets down the road. Seems to be lots of threads going right now on pallet forks, but none seem to discuss length. Maybe it is not as much an issue as I am making it.

bigtiller · Mar 15, 2013

Don't worry about getting them too long, it just takes some getting used to. I had a pair at work that were 102 inches long. They were on a 644 JD pay-loader.

I wish I could have brought that rig home when I retired.

deere5105 · Mar 15, 2013

Trigger pulled and order placed today. Time will tell if right decision was made. Thanks for the input.

BRBurns · Mar 15, 2013

Which size did you decide on? I'm think of getting a set, but I'm thinking of going with the 42"

deere5105 · Mar 16, 2013

BRBurns said:
Which size did you decide on? I'm think of getting a set, but I'm thinking of going with the 42"

Decided on 48". That is the length I would have had if I went with the Frontier brand and the advertised weight difference was only 40 lbs more. Figured at some point I would have found myself regretting having not went with the longer forks.