What else do you do with forks besides lift pallets?

[sixdogs]

Take it slow and easy, The forks are bouncy, especially extended.

How does that tractor do when lifting that heavy of a shed? Seems like it's a lot of weight for the tractor?

 

[4570Man]

How does that tractor do when lifting that heavy of a shed? Seems like it's a lot of weight for the tractor?

The tractor is stronger than it looks. That tractor is rated to lift 2700 to full height and has a breakout force of 3500. I doubt that shed is over 1000.

 

[mike69440]

The tractor is stronger than it looks. That tractor is rated to lift 2700 to full height and has a breakout force of 3500. I doubt that shed is over 1000.

The Shed is around 1500 lbs, I tend to build them heavy using PT lumber, plus asphalt roof. I have 60mm Lift Cylinders and 65 mm curl Cylinders at more or less the L39 Max Rated Pressure of just under 3,000 Psi. Back when I lifted the larger heavier red metal roofed shed, it was with the OEM 55mm lift & 60mm curl cylinders, but pressures were set up !0% over the max of spec. I ended up bending the forks! I now actually get a bit more lift with the larger cylinders with pressures set per Kubota spec. than the original Kubota cylinders with the pump over spec, while being kinder to the hydraulic pumps. Kubota TLBs have a lot of hydraulic pump volume, so speed has not been effected greatly.
I need the wheel weights plus the BH for stability. Small tractor. but weighs 8,000 lbs with ballast.
B26/L39/L45/L47/L48/M59 & M62 are a different Breed of Kubota.
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...clyinders-loaders.html?highlight=L39+Cylinder
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...possible-solution.html?highlight=L39+Cylinder

 

[sixdogs]

Which length forks do most people prefer, 42" or 48"? This would be for a variety of uses on a 70HP utility tractor that would range from picking up rocks to occasionally using on a 2000 lb pallet. The fork frame I have is rated at 3800 lbs.

This question comes up because it's hard to keep my 48" forks straight when picking up a pallet of fertilizer and I rip some bags. I only do it a few times a year and the rest of the time is rocks, trees, etc. No pallets.

Would 42" forks make life easier or should I just learn the 48" forks?

 

[CobyRupert]

Check visibility with 42" vs 48". Will you still be able to easily see the tips if shorter?

 

[CADplans]

Which length forks do most people prefer, 42" or 48"? This would be for a variety of uses on a 70HP utility tractor

Would 42" forks make life easier or should I just learn the 48" forks?

I have 48" forks on a 50 HP tractor, and I have bent one of the forks on two separate occasions.
Both times I was lucky enough to figure out how to bend the fork back.

BOTH times, a stump was the cause.

If I were to go get forks right now,, I would be looking for the thickest 4" wide forks I could find.
I would also want the 42" length,, that half a foot really can change the forces, making it much easier for the 48" length to bend the fork.

Tractors are totally different as to how forks are used, compared to a fork lift.

Heck, a 100 HP forklift could not bend the fork your 70 HP farm tractor can turn into a pretzel,,,

 

[Wagtail]

(Getting back to sixdogs' original question)

I've used my pallet forks to, gently, lift a horse carcass up and place it into a dug grave... the bale spikes or 4in1 bucket wouldn't have worked. (well, they would have but it would've been very messy)

Another use is to uproot tree roots that have 'surfaced' on my lawn. (Blackwood tree roots) I can then cut them and, later on, use the 4in1 to pull up the extended root; once I've figured out how the root is 'tracking'.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use my 48" forks to load & unload equipment from the side or rear of my truck bed using lift chains. The forks have a better reach than the FEL bucket.

 

[sixdogs]

(Getting back to sixdogs' original question)

I've used my pallet forks to, gently, lift a horse carcass up and place it into a dug grave... the bale spikes or 4in1 bucket wouldn't have worked. (well, they would have but it would've been very messy)

Another use is to uproot tree roots that have 'surfaced' on my lawn. (Blackwood tree roots) I can then cut them and, later on, use the 4in1 to pull up the extended root; once I've figured out how the root is 'tracking'.

In my original question of "what do you do with forks besides lift pallets", I now realize I can't get along without them now and rarely use on pallets. This week I plant to use them to move whole trees from my lawn to a back area where I can limb and cut them up. Saves a lot of work. It isn't pretty but keeps all the woodchips off the lawn. Plus I chip the limbs and the chips will go directly into the burn pile.

 

[Maineuropa]

Is it worth it to buy a set of skid steer forks that I might be able to get on the cheap? They will fit the skid steer loader adaptor I had built for my Deere 5520--85 hp-- . The forks are the HD version and I think either 3000# or more and 42" long.

Problem is, I only lift a few pallets a year and after that am stumped for it's usefulness. I think I could move big rocks or other things but never paid attention to forks that much. The forks will QT fit my skid steer attachment, are new and I think I can pay $300. Seem like that's worth it? What else do you guys do with forks besides lift pallets?

I have used my forks on my tractor to:
1. Lift 10-16 foot logs out of the log pile, then cut up the logs into firewood length with the log on the forks;
2. Carry brush/slash to the burn pile;
3. Move our wood farm tables(we do weddings here with our farm tables).
4. Move entire small trees I have cut down.

Worthwhile to have a set of forks.