Question on Pallet Forks

[PILOON]

I was a lift truck sales rep for a few years so I can offer some information.

Fork capacity is always quoted as weight at a given distance from the pivot point which is the front axle.
Generally the distance is given as @ 24 inches.
Same applies for tractor FEL's (load at center of bucket)

So if a cut bucket is rated @1000 lbs you be sure that with clamp on forks that protrude ahead of bucket by 36 ins or so your new capacity is probably less than 500 lbs (centered on those 36" forks)
(I calculated the exact load would then be 571.42 lbs if the FEL bucket CG is @ 24")

Now another consideration.
Fork lifts use a ridged axle behind the forks while a tractor's front pivots making it a disaster about to happen.
Also a tractor front is really quite weak when it comes to loads.

All this to suggest that most (well built) clamp on forks would be just fine for most light duty tasks.

 

[Diggin It]

I've considered a few options and prices and I have a feeling when I finally do it, I'll do some kind of hybrid. I don't have a tooth bar and don't know if I ever will. I may get one, or I may use a piece of flat stock or U channel to reinforce the bucket lip if I go with clamp ons. Ideally, I'd like to be able to adapt whatever I get to some form of Pin On if I can rig up a way to fit the existing pins in place of the bucket. I need to keep costs down as much as possible and yet be versatile. I don't have the welder or skills to do anything fancy, but I have a neighbor who might be able to.


Again, I won't be lifting full pallets of concrete block or similar. Moving partial stacks of firewood is probably as heavy as I'd go.

As far as a work platform, I may not use forks for that. I have a way to strap it on top of the fully upturned FEL bucket that seems safe. Also remember I have the BH and outriggers. The plan would be to extend the outriggers and dig the BH bucket into the ground behind me for extra stability.

 

[tomplum]

A thought may be to design a firewood carryall and work backwards from there. Think of like a metal framed wood rack 50" X 18" or so wide which would use short standard forks or maybe even forks that could easily be bracketed to your bucket's sides rather than just the bottom. Mount the lift arms vertically for more strength so you could use a heavier 3" C channel which would slide into a larger rectangular tube on the rack. This would save weight and could very easily be pinned for the hybrid quick attach. Once you have a system penciled out, next could be your lift platform.

In my world I've been just moving wood around in partially filled IBCs, but really would rather bring a rack at a time up by the house and hopefully just make a covered area off the new deck which is going to go up this year.

 

[Captain Dirty]

. . . Moving partial stacks of firewood is probably as heavy as I'd go.

Once you have forks and discover their usefulness you will be tempted to lift heavier and heavier things. They are an attachment that invites (ab)use. To wit: I use forks to move boulders that I cannot roll into the FEL bucket. The CG is closer to the pins so I can lift more, and when I cannot lift the boulder, I might be able to use the forks as skids and push it.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

The desire for some SSQA forks was my initial reason for converting my previous tractor a Kubota L3400 from pin on to SSQA. I should have bought it with SSQA from the start. But I just didn't understand the importance of SSQA and how it allowed for versatility to add forks, grapples or boom poles or anything else your mind can think up and you can build. I paid dearly for the conversion where it would not have cost that much up front if I had the brains to buy it in the first place.

I had a nice pair of clamp on forks, and in my opinion, they sucked. I did get some use out of them, but they certainly were of limited use as compared to an actual set of SSQA forks. The bucket being out there in the way limiting your vision is only one of the problems, and of course the ever popular loss of lift because of the forks stuck out in front of bucket is another, BUT another problem not mentioned is the fact you cannot put ANY side pressure on these clamp on forks as they will fold up like an accordion. This happens a lot and is quite annoying. Another annoying factor for clamp on forks, or at least the ones I had was if you drag them backwards just a little bit on the ground as you pull out of a pallet the forks come off. Yeah, happened a lot to me.

Bottom line, clamp on forks, yes got some use out of them,. They were a pain to use for many reasons, and they were "weak" in lifting ability. I couldn't wait to convert to SSQA and get some forks.

This has been my same experience with clamp on forks. I have no excuse for getting them. I do have an SSQA FEL. I was just trying to be cheap, "these will be 'good enough'". Kind of thing. Well, as James says, they suck. I give my dealer credit here, as even he tried to talk me out of the clamp ons. He was right, I should have just bought the fork attachment.

As others have said, you'll be surprised how often a set of forks will be useful. I would use them quite often if they weren't such a pain to use. With the forks sitting flat on the ground, if I half crouch up and out of the front of my seat, I can barely see the tips over the top of the bucket. Having HST here helps, because I can move the tractor forward like this, but it is a pain. You almost always need a spotter, since you can't really see the forks. I dumped my brand new in the crate wood splitter on it's side (luckily it stayed on the trailer), because I couldn't see what I was doing with the forks, and my "spotter" was just standing there watching me, with no attempt to signal me in any way.



Also, with the forks clamped on the bucket, the fork tips are waaaayyy out there from the pivot pins of the bucket, so making minor "fork tilt" adjustments is pretty difficult, like when you're trying to line up the last little bit to go into a pallet.

Also, the forks to like to turn sideways on you, with any side force at all. Makes it harder to deal with unusual shapes, or plunge the forks into a pile of branches, etc. Because the forks just turn sideways on you.

I still use my clamp ons, but "someday" I'll just spring for the attachment like I should have from the beginning. Once I have the attachment, I'll probably give my clamp ons to my neighbor. He has a 60's Deere with a grapple, and they'll be better than nothing.

 

[k0ua]

This has been my same experience with clamp on forks. I have no excuse for getting them. I do have an SSQA FEL. I was just trying to be cheap, "these will be 'good enough'". Kind of thing. Well, as James says, they suck. I give my dealer credit here, as even he tried to talk me out of the clamp ons. He was right, I should have just bought the fork attachment.

As others have said, you'll be surprised how often a set of forks will be useful. I would use them quite often if they weren't such a pain to use. With the forks sitting flat on the ground, if I half crouch up and out of the front of my seat, I can barely see the tips over the top of the bucket. Having HST here helps, because I can move the tractor forward like this, but it is a pain. You almost always need a spotter, since you can't really see the forks. I dumped my brand new in the crate wood splitter on it's side (luckily it stayed on the trailer), because I couldn't see what I was doing with the forks, and my "spotter" was just standing there watching me, with no attempt to signal me in any way.



Also, with the forks clamped on the bucket, the fork tips are waaaayyy out there from the pivot pins of the bucket, so making minor "fork tilt" adjustments is pretty difficult, like when you're trying to line up the last little bit to go into a pallet.

Also, the forks to like to turn sideways on you, with any side force at all. Makes it harder to deal with unusual shapes, or plunge the forks into a pile of branches, etc. Because the forks just turn sideways on you.

I still use my clamp ons, but "someday" I'll just spring for the attachment like I should have from the beginning. Once I have the attachment, I'll probably give my clamp ons to my neighbor. He has a 60's Deere with a grapple, and they'll be better than nothing.

Yeah, I forgot about the "magnification" of the dump/curl movement because the tips are further away... Yeah they suck.. better than nothing, but they suck. Bite the bullet, get some real forks. Yes, i suppose all the clamp on fork suppliers of the world hate us right now, and wish we would just shut up. But this is how I truly see it.

 

[cat fever]

Yeah, I forgot about the "magnification" of the dump/curl movement because the tips are further away... Yeah they suck.. better than nothing, but they suck. Bite the bullet, get some real forks. Yes, i suppose all the clamp on fork suppliers of the world hate us right now, and wish we would just shut up. But this is how I truly see it.

^^^^^^

What he said, actual forks are the way to go.:2cents:

 

[ruffdog]

I know there are probably previous threads, but sometimes they're hard to sort through.

Asked my dealer about pallet forks. They quoted a pair of individual forks that clamp on to the FEL bucket front edge, with no vertical bar to the top bucket edge. Something like these:

I would not be lifting large, heavy loads given the capacity of my machine. An IBC Tote rigged as a work platform, or partially loaded pallets of firewood would be about it.

Have you used these? Is there any need to go to a normal set that attaches to the FEL arms and replaces the FEL bucket?

Or is there a better set of clamp ons I should be looking at?

Yes, I have a set of the 48" HD clamp-on forks from Titan. I also have 2 of the middle braces that tie the forks together. I used them a few times on the NH Boomer and that had the HD bucket. I also used them on the Toolcat to get grapple bucket out of the truck that was on a pallet. I'm looking for a set of SSQA forks to use instead of the clamp-ons now that I have the 'Cat. The forks worked fine.

 

[mpsmith60]

I know there are probably previous threads, but sometimes they're hard to sort through.

Asked my dealer about pallet forks. They quoted a pair of individual forks that clamp on to the FEL bucket front edge, with no vertical bar to the top bucket edge. Something like these:

I would not be lifting large, heavy loads given the capacity of my machine. An IBC Tote rigged as a work platform, or partially loaded pallets of firewood would be about it.

Have you used these? Is there any need to go to a normal set that attaches to the FEL arms and replaces the FEL bucket?

Or is there a better set of clamp ons I should be looking at?

I got a set like these from Titan through Amazon rated for 1500 lbs, which was fine for my needs and inexpensive. They've been really handy to have. For heavy loads, make sure you use chains around your bucket and load binders to tighten them to keep from bending the lower lip of your bucket. A drawback of the clamp-on type is that you loose a lot of lift capacity since they are further out from the loader arms than SSQA forks would be.

More recently I got a set of SSQA forks which I love because change out is a snap and I have full lift capacity. If you don't need them often, and your loads are light, clamp-ons are an inexpensive way to go.

 

[Diggin It]

Who needs pallet forks when you can sling'em around? NOT the way I'll be doing it normally, but it works for now to position a few a short distance. Low (just off the ground) and slow. Worked fine. Yea, I know the one strap is in too far, but it was the first one as a test. The other two worked fine also. Under the bucket instead of out in front might be better though.

Pallets are cut in half to make them easier to stack with irregular firewood, so there's a lot less weight to begin with.





.

 

[dalola]

Who needs pallet forks when you can sling'em around? NOT the way I'll be doing it normally, but it works for now to position a few a short distance. Low (just off the ground) and slow. Worked fine. Yea, I know the one strap is in too far, but it was the first one as a test. The other two worked fine also. Under the bucket instead of out in front might be better though.

Pallets are cut in half to make them easier to stack with irregular firewood, so there's a lot less weight to begin with.

Very clever! You could throw a few more in the bucket!

 

[mpsmith60]

I got a set like these from Titan through Amazon rated for 1500 lbs, which was fine for my needs and inexpensive. They've been really handy to have. For heavy loads, make sure you use chains around your bucket and load binders to tighten them to keep from bending the lower lip of your bucket. A drawback of the clamp-on type is that you loose a lot of lift capacity since they are further out from the loader arms than SSQA forks would be.

More recently I got a set of SSQA forks which I love because change out is a snap and I have full lift capacity. If you don't need them often, and your loads are light, clamp-ons are an inexpensive way to go.

I started out with the same Titan forks and they served me well until I got a set of quick attach forks. Even though my front-end loader has a quick attach coupler, I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the big bucks on a set of quick attach pallet forks so I opted to start with some very affordable clamp-on forks from Titan, purchased through Amazon. I quickly discovered just how useful pallet forks can be and bought a set of quick attach forks about six months later.

If you are considering buying clamp on pallet forks, you might want to watch this video on the pros and cons of clamp ons as well as tips on using them:

The clamp on forks were definitely worth having until I got the quick attach forks.

 

[k0ua]

Who needs pallet forks when you can sling'em around? NOT the way I'll be doing it normally, but it works for now to position a few a short distance. Low (just off the ground) and slow. Worked fine. Yea, I know the one strap is in too far, but it was the first one as a test. The other two worked fine also. Under the bucket instead of out in front might be better though.

Pallets are cut in half to make them easier to stack with irregular firewood, so there's a lot less weight to begin with.


View attachment 597471


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Hey, it worked and was pretty clever and center of gravity was kept low and safe.

 

[Diggin It]

So, I sprung for a carry all, but came up with a couple of new problems. First, the 'forks' are wider than some of the pallets I have. Guess I'll continue to sling those for now.

Other thing is that the front bottom corners catch on the bottom slats of pallets unless you're dead level and square. Only thing that comes to mind is to cut or grind an angle on them (red line in picture). If I do that, it's non-returnable. Anybody have any other ideas?




.

 

[California]

A couple of comments on buying clamp-on forks:

* Get the optional adjustable-length bar that goes across from one fork to the other. It prevents the forks from turning sideways.

* If you have a small bucket, measure the depth of the 'throat' that clamps on the bucket. I got a set of forks with the second YM186D that bumped the back of the bucket before engaging fully. (Sold those forks for what I had paid for a previous set).

* I see forks on Cragslist at second-tier tractor dealers that are priced double what I paid for the same forks listed on Amazon and shipped from the manufacturer. Shop around!

* Three-point forks for the back of the tractor are handy. I built a set after studying the TSC version. I can back into it with the QH, pick it up, and go. I use this far more than putting on the front forks. Photo. Photo2.

 

[Xfaxman]

So, I sprung for a carry all, but came up with a couple of new problems. First, the 'forks' are wider than some of the pallets I have. Guess I'll continue to sling those for now.

Other thing is that the front bottom corners catch on the bottom slats of pallets unless you're dead level and square. Only thing that comes to mind is to cut or grind an angle on them (red line in picture). If I do that, it's non-returnable. Anybody have any other ideas?

View attachment 603648


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A hydraulic top link is almost a necessity for picking up pallets.

Since you don't have QA, I would return it and get an adjustable pallet fork: 3pt adjustable pallet forks - Image Search

 

[Diggin It]

A hydraulic top link is almost a necessity for picking up pallets.

Since you don't have QA, I would return it and get an adjustable pallet fork

Are you offering to pay the difference? Lowest cost I can find is $300 and EA wants over $800 (why do people buy their overpriced stuff?)

For $300+, I'll go back to tossing wood chinks in the loader bucket.

 

[dragoneggs]

Are you offering to pay the difference? Lowest cost I can find is $300 and EA wants over $800 (why do people buy their overpriced stuff?)

For $300+, I'll go back to tossing wood chinks in the loader bucket.

Because some of us are lazy.

 

[AchingBack]

Because some of us are lazy.

And lazy people get more done in less time. Which is why we have more time to relax.

 

[jjp8182]

And lazy people get more done in less time. Which is why we have more time to relax.

Yep, I figure if I work both smarter and harder I'll get done in far less time than people who only do one or the other..... which is big reason why I bought a tractor in the first place