What Pallet Fork for a Branson 2515h with a BL150

[BamaBoyInFL]

Recently purchased a Branson 2515h and trying to determine whats the best Pallet Fork to work with a BL150 FEL, any help is appreciated.

 

[LouNY]

There is so much variation in forks it would be hard to make any kind of recomendation.
But I will say this according to Branson you have a breakout capacity of over 3600#,
and a full height lift capacity of 2200# at the pins.
When forks are rated it is for the pair and it is not on the tip,
I wouldn't be afraid to go with 4000# rated forks and carriage it may be overkill but I know how I tend to use
things, the end 6" of a fork carrying all the load i could lift instead of going and getting a bottle jack and blocking.

 

[K5lwq]

Welcome to TBN and the Branson family!! Glad you have joined us!

I will second Lou's recommendation. I bought my forks from Everything Attachments. Very happy with the quality and they fit well on the BL150 loader.

Share your thoughts as you get to know your new tractor. We also love pictures so feel free to share!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Welcome Bama,

Lou is right. There are so many options to choose from for forks. My strongest recommendation is to go with a dedicated set of the SSQA forks, and not the clamp on bucket forks. I started off trying to be cheap with the clamp on forks, even though my dealer, and many good folks on TBN tried to talk me out of it. They were right. The clamp ons are just terrible, and only if you were stuck with a pin on bucket would you even want to consider them.

SSQA mount gives you the freedom to pick a proper fork set, and you'll be much happier that way.

I went with the Artillian setup, but I was really interested in their modular frame system that lets you add other attachments down the line. Like a grapple or stump bucket. It's certainly not the cheapest option (by far), but I liked the idea of the added versatility. Due to the lift capacity on my FEL, I went with the 3000 pound rated frame and 48" heavy forks.



I use mine for all manner of things that don't involve pallets.



The 3000 lb frame comes with a receiver hitch tube welded into the center of the frame. I use mine to move trailers, but Cougsfan (member here) suggested that if I flip the ball over on the hitch, it will make it easier to see the hitch to line up the connection. I still have to try that.



And this is the view from the driver's seat when trying to line up the shot into the hitch (without flipping the ball mount over)

 

[PapeCAT]

You might consider Artillian brand forks with the SSQA. They allow you to customize with your preferred fork length, and it is a modular system you can add things like rakes and grapples to the fork frame. They are strong but very light weight.

3 Lb. Skid Steer Quick Attach Pallet Fork Frame - Artillian

 

[nosaj2]

I have a 2515h. I went with a set from Titan Attachments. Titan Attachments™ | Pallet Forks | Tractor Parts & Equipment (Free Shipping & Financing Available) They were probably the cheapest I could find. But I needed them fast. They were here within a week. So far the are working out just fine. The only negative I have so far is that they barley fit my BL150. They have to be centered just right for the pins to engage.

 

[BamaBoyInFL]

Thanks everyone for all the replies, you certainly give me a lot to think about. Showed me out the gate that I don't want to the bucket bolt on forks. Thanks again, now more research.

 

[Texasmark]

Just remember foot x pounds. Every foot your load extends beyond your lift points (end of the loader arm proper or specified as 2' beyond...in the owner's manual), you are decreasing the ability of the FEL to lift the load. Other thing is that the fulcrum is the front axle/tires. For heavy loads a counterweight on the 3 pt, or weighted rear axle would be on order. Prior to adding rear weights, I had lifted my rear axle off the ground with my loader on the 2400.

Agree on bolt on fork drawbacks. I have a 48" pair, with the cross bar, I use on the 2400 since the bucket isn't quick attach like the 6530 and it's easy to get them misaligned in trying to lift a load. Other thing is since they are tip of the bucket mounted, there is another foot working against you in the foot-pound relationship, and not all that much but another weight hanging out.