Forks Pallet forks - opinions on size

[dustinfox]

My first impulse is that I should get 48" pallet forks since that is the standard size of a pallet. But would a 42" set work just as well? Maybe I could save some money? I'll probably be using it to lift hay as well as other misc things into a loft. Also, miscellaneous lifting jobs around the property. Anyone have experienc in this? Do you wish you had got a different size?

Thanks.

 

[Birdhunter1]

My forks are 36" long on a 50 hp 2wd tractor, I've yet to find I needed forks longer to get anything done. A stack of plywood 48" wide still isn't a problem, you have 3/4 of the width of the sheet on your forks.

As for lifting hay it isn't advised on a pallet fork system, there is nothing to keep the bale rolling back when you lift it up, a spear is what is needed for this. A spear can be easily adapted to fit onto a pallet fork frame and along with the forks can be used safely to lift haybales into a loft.

 

[TripleR]

I bought a set of 48" to use on our M8540 and L5030, if it was just for the 5030, I would have gotten the 42".

 

[dustinfox]

My forks are 36" long on a 50 hp 2wd tractor, I've yet to find I needed forks longer to get anything done. A stack of plywood 48" wide still isn't a problem, you have 3/4 of the width of the sheet on your forks.

As for lifting hay it isn't advised on a pallet fork system, there is nothing to keep the bale rolling back when you lift it up, a spear is what is needed for this. A spear can be easily adapted to fit onto a pallet fork frame and along with the forks can be used safely to lift haybales into a loft.

Thanks Birdhunter. The forks I am looking at are from Titan above and will come with hay spears.

 

[dustinfox]

I bought a set of 48" to use on our M8540 and L5030, if it was just for the 5030, I would have gotten the 42".

I have a Kioti CK35... Not sure if that make a difference.

 

[JoelT]

I'd say get the 48" for the extra reach if nothing else. I unload plywood off of my flatbed and I can't always get fully under the load but with 4' forks I don't have any problems.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd get the shorter and lighter forks. A CK35 has lift capacity of about 1150lbs at pivot pins. The forks set will weigh at least 200-300lbs with frame. That leaves you only about 800lbs lift capacity to full height at the pivot pins. Your load on forks will be at least two feet forward of the pivot pins so figure max actual lifted load of about 500-600lbs if you mount a full size set of forks and frame. No reason to have heavier duty or larger forks than you can really use as it will just decrease your net lift capacity. As others have noted, if you can get 3/4 of a pallet on your forks it is reasonably stable and you'll be able to lift more than if you have heavier longer forks. I owned a CK20 with lift capacity of 1070lbs. I bought a full size set of forks and found it useless because I just couldn't lift big loads that would have required the 48 inch or even 42 inch reach. Sold it to a guy with a skidsteer.

Full size forks and frame make sense if your loader capacity is in the 1600lb plus range but for smaller loaders it is actually worse to have full size forks. Rule of thumb (which I just made up): Don't buy forks rated for more than twice your max lift capacity. Waste of money and worse performance than lighter duty versions.

 

[magicheater]

I'd get the shorter and lighter forks. A CK35 has lift capacity of about 1150lbs at pivot pins. The forks set will weigh at least 200-300lbs with frame. That leaves you only about 800lbs lift capacity to full height at the pivot pins. Your load on forks will be at least two feet forward of the pivot pins so figure max actual lifted load of about 500-600lbs if you mount a full size set of forks and frame. No reason to have heavier duty or larger forks than you can really use as it will just decrease your net lift capacity. As others have noted, if you can get 3/4 of a pallet on your forks it is reasonably stable and you'll be able to lift more than if you have heavier longer forks. I owned a CK20 with lift capacity of 1070lbs. I bought a full size set of forks and found it useless because I just couldn't lift big loads that would have required the 48 inch or even 42 inch reach. Sold it to a guy with a skidsteer.

Full size forks and frame make sense if your loader capacity is in the 1600lb plus range but for smaller loaders it is actually worse to have full size forks. Rule of thumb (which I just made up): Don't buy forks rated for more than twice your max lift capacity. Waste of money and worse performance than lighter duty versions.

I would have to agree, The forks I use weigh 110#. The loader is an LA402. The pallet full of pavers (5 rows of 20) in the photos weighed 850#. I weighed a brick to calculate, 8.5# a piece. I put them out to the end of the forks as a test. It did begin to stall as I got more than 5' off the ground but for what I was doing it was fine. That just told me I was near the limit of my loader. I don't dig with my forks as they are designed to lift. I have PLENTY of other stuff that does that.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would have to agree, The forks I use weigh 110#. The loader is an LA402. The pallet full of pavers (5 rows of 20) in the photos weighed 850#. I weighed a brick to calculate, 8.5# a piece. I put them out to the end of the forks as a test. It did begin to stall as I got more than 5' off the ground but for what I was doing it was fine. That just told me I was near the limit of my loader. I don't dig with my forks as they are designed to lift. I have PLENTY of other stuff that does that.

Those are IMHO very appropriately sized and built forks for something like a Kioti CK35 or smaller tractor like anything in the Kubota B series etc. Much superior to bucket clamp ons too.

Folks need to be realistic about what you are going to be able to lift and size the implement accordingly regardless of any latent skidsteer envy. Even the 50hp CUTs do not really lift as much as a typical skidsteer for which the heavier duty 48 inch forks are designed.

 

[WM75Guy]

I have the Landpride 48" on my TC40DA. One nice thing about the longer reach is I load 2 pallets on my 20' trailer and push them up over the axles so the load is balanced. After unloading the first I can reach in and lift up the end of the second pallet and drag it back till I can get the forks in alll the way. I have a line marked on the trailer floor where to stop the pallet so I can reach it. If I need to I can put the pallet jack on the trailer to get them to the back, if I have more than 2 pallets.

 

[WM75Guy]

Folks need to be realistic about what you are going to be able to lift and size the implement accordingly regardless of any latent skidsteer envy. Even the 50hp CUTs do not really lift as much as a typical skidsteer for which the heavier duty 48 inch forks are designed.

I have found that out the hard way. I move pallets of shavings and pine pellets loaded by forklift. TSC splits the shavings into 2 pallet loads so I can lift them off the trailer with the tractor. The pellets are 50 35 pound bags per pallet. I take 5 bags off after getting home. Having dedicated forks with a tall rear guard allows me to curl the load back so it is over the pins. I cannot lift them flat but can lift them curled.

 

[dfkrug]

I have a Kioti CK35... Not sure if that make a difference.

What tractor you have is very important. I have the CK30 and use
36" forks. They work great and this is my most-used implement. 48"
or even 42" forks would get in the way more often as I negotiate tight
spaces. I do not feel limited when it comes to what loads I want to
lift. My fork frame is homemade, weighs about 190#, and is not
adjustable for tine spacing.

 

[k0ua]

42 inch forks here, and have never wanted more. If I had a larger tractor with more lift I would want 48 inchers. smaller tractor, smaller forks. bigger tractor bigger forks.. Skid steer= big heavy duty forks. Like others have said, when the load gets out there near the end, You cannot lift near as much as you can near the pivot pins. Curl if you can and get the load as close as possible. The six inches less on a "standard" pallet means nothing. And I rarely see a standard pallet, they seem to come in all sorts of sizes. More than anything I use mine to lift big rocks, and move brush piles.

James K0UA

 

[Learning to Farm]

Great, another attachment to add to my wish list. We have the 3pt pallet forks, but now I am drooling over all that could be done with this vs the FEL. Think of all the "light" brush I could move. I could order large items with out a lift tailgate.

Are they brand specific or are their universal aftermarket ones? Does the "bucket" come off and this go in its place? How does the on/off work? Looks like I have some searching to do at lunch today.

Thanks!

 

[k0ua]

Great, another attachment to add to my wish list. We have the 3pt pallet forks, but now I am drooling over all that could be done with this vs the FEL. Think of all the "light" brush I could move. I could order large items with out a lift tailgate.

Are they brand specific or are their universal aftermarket ones? Does the "bucket" come off and this go in its place? How does the on/off work? Looks like I have some searching to do at lunch today.

Thanks!

They are univerasal, fit all brands that are equipped with SSQA (Skid Steer Quick Attach,) The bucket comes off in a couple of seconds and these go in in a couple of seconds. Does require you to get off of the tractor to operate the lever or levers. I kept my forks from my Kubota and are using them on my new Kioti. Very usefull for hauling big wads of brush, I used them Sunday to haul 4 huge loads to the pile.. Not quite as good as a grapple, but usually you can just drive into a pile of fresh cut limbs and load them up and head off for the big pile without ever getting off of the tractor. To clean up the stragglers you will have to get off and stack them on the forks. Great for logs too, you will need to look at and determine the balance point of a log to load it successfully without getting off. I use them to haul and set big rocks on a rock wall too. I am guessing if you have to ask you do not have SSQA on your tractor. But most can be converted. I converted my last tractor a Kubota L3400HST by buying the adaptor for $400. I went ahead and bought a new bucket from the dealer also, but then converted my pin on bucket to SSQA. (there is a humorous thread on here about that). I kept my old converted Kubota bucket and now use it on my Kioti for my "beater bucket" to dig with and haul nasty things. And Keep my new Kioti bucket looking nice.
James K0UA

 

[IslandTractor]

Great, another attachment to add to my wish list. We have the 3pt pallet forks, but now I am drooling over all that could be done with this vs the FEL. Think of all the "light" brush I could move. I could order large items with out a lift tailgate.

Are they brand specific or are their universal aftermarket ones? Does the "bucket" come off and this go in its place? How does the on/off work? Looks like I have some searching to do at lunch today.

Thanks!

Sounds to me like you need to add two implements to your wish list. Forks are great but collecting and moving brush is a job for a grapple. Logs can be moved short distances with forks but you'll soon appreciate the need for an upper grapple arm to pin and secure the load.

Regarding light duty forks, there is plenty of reading here on TBN. Just use the search function. Depending on your tractor size, budget and intended use, there are clamp on, light duty, and full frame fork attachments. Easier if you have a Quick Attach loader mount but you can add one of those to your list too.

Happy research.

 

[WM75Guy]

Great, another attachment to add to my wish list. We have the 3pt pallet forks, but now I am drooling over all that could be done with this vs the FEL. Think of all the "light" brush I could move. I could order large items with out a lift tailgate.

Are they brand specific or are their universal aftermarket ones? Does the "bucket" come off and this go in its place? How does the on/off work? Looks like I have some searching to do at lunch today.

Thanks!

Here is the thread where I changed my pin on bucket to SSQA.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ng/195123-switched-16la-front-end-loader.html

 

[k0ua]

Here is mine:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/208653-so-you-think-converting-pin.html

James K0UA

 

[kiotiken]

I have a CK30 and 48" pallet forks that I bought in the RB auction this spring. I was going for 42" forks, but ended up winning on 48" instead. I'd say either are fine and the weight difference between the two won't be noticed in lift capacity. It's also easier to see the end of the 48" forks since they stick out a little more. I disagree with IT that you've got a real world capacity of 500lbs, I've lifted logs that are at least 800lbs and pallets of stacked firewood that must be close to 1000lbs. The tractor will lift a cord of wet stacked hard wood on a pallet, but will not curl it.

When I look into my crystal ball, I see bigger tractor tires for some reason, shhhh don't tell my wife, I'm just buying another Kioti and playing dumb if she notices a difference :thumbsup:. If that's a possibility for you, any small price difference now will make sense to have something more suitable later.

 

[Kioti Tom]

I ended up with 42" SSQA pallet forks and they are a perfect fit for my Kioti DS3510. Handy to have. Truck had to pass my place to deliver a large order to a business and just pulled up and I use the forks to unload my pallet. No extra cost as all he had to do was open the doors and then close and go 1/4 mile more for the business. Otherwise, residential fees would have occurred. The freight company called evening before and when I said I could unload with a pallet fork, they said great...deducted residental fee, especially since I had to unload the business order as their forklift would not start.

Amazing things can happen when you have the equipment...:thumbsup:

Tom