Pallet Forks??

[Jtullis13]

Has anyone used pallet forks on their Yanmar?? If so where did you buy them and do you have the clamp on or chain on ones? I have been looking at a set from Titan Equipment. I could find many uses for them but wanted some feedback from others that have either the clamp on or chain on ones. Thanks

 

[Scotty Dive]

I have them and they are handy
Bought mine on line somewhere..can't recall where but should have a receipt somewhere. Mine are clamp on and I put a half inch sheet of steel under the clamps to spread the weight after I noticed some slight dimples. Great for lifting wood stoves and engine blocks!

 

[California]

For my YM240 I made some chain-on forks. They are simple to make. I have an old post on here with this photo, describing how I made them.

There were a couple of limitations: The chains up over the bucket don't go up vertical and aren't a sufficient backstop, in particular to keep pruning debris in my case, from falling back into the bucket and getting snarled up. Tying a plywood plank across the chains didn't help much, stuff still got stuck behind the chains and was hard to remove. These were shorter than I needed and the metal was soft and bent easily until I welded on some angle iron to stiffen them.

When I bought the second YM186D it came with new, $180 clamp-on forks. I like these a lot better. Simpler to put on/off and if something falls back into the bucket it doesn't get stuck there. The bucket has reinforcement strips under its floor from the pins forward to the front edge and so long as the forks are clamped on at these reinforcement strips, bending the bucket seems unlikely. This set also has a spreader bar that keeps the forks pointed forward, an important feature since forks often want to slew sideways.

Summary - Clamp-on is the professional solution, or chain-on for inexpensive DIY.


Related: Looking for my old post re forks I found my old post on making rear forks.

 

[careyo63]

I've considered these myself.
New Tractor and Skid Steer Attachments

 

[Jtullis13]

Thanks Scotty, yeah they seem like they would be pretty handy to have. California thanks for your post too. Those pics are helpful. I have been looking at these Clamp on Pallet Forks w/ Adjustable Stabilizer Bar LW for loaders 15lb. $158 or I can get a heavy duty set 4,000 lbs for $210. Same size I believe. Not that I will be lifting anything close to that much but they would be better built is all.

 

[Jtullis13]

I'm thinking that I would probably need a steel plate to re-enforce it was well like Scotty mentioned.

 

[FleetMan]

I believe Northern Tool offers pallet forks which attach to the front end loader bucket.

 

[California]

Thanks Scotty, yeah they seem like they would be pretty handy to have. California thanks for your post too. Those pics are helpful. I have been looking at these Clamp on Pallet Forks w/ Adjustable Stabilizer Bar LW for loaders 15lb. $158

That's what I have, and recommend.

 

[Jtullis13]

Good to know!! I think I'm gonna order a pair this coming week

 

[6thgpSF]

I use them all the time on my 1610d.I've got the clamp on type.PAYNES FORKS...russ

 

[careyo63]

The 3Pt. setup with a quick hitch is what I was honestly thinking about. That's why I said considered. But I'm planning on using a set of pallet forks on wheels with the manual pump still attached so it can be used as warehouse pallet forks that roll also. That way it would be extremely useful and easily move things around once onto pavement, garage etc.. Just haven't had the need for a set of pallet forks to do it and know were there is a set I can get cheap. like Zilch.

 

[Jtullis13]

Good to know 6thgpSF. That's my plan is to use them all the time too. And Careyo the 3pt quick hitch would be a nice addition as well. I really like your idea the wheels and manual pump for inside the shop!!