What type of Steel

[wingerT]

I buildt a set of pallet forks, and i used stainless steel for the shaft , the purpose was so the shaft didnt rust up from sitting outside. My problem is that by lifting 1000 lb plus totes the shaft bent, should i be using mild steel or cold rolled steel for the shaft, whats my best choice.

 

[true temper]

What size of shaft are you using? On my big tractor I used 1 11/16" well pump shaft, plenty strong and cheap.

 

[wingerT]

I was using a 1 inch diameter shaft about 45 inches long.

 

[lostcause]

one alternative you could do, since you already have them built, would be to change where the load bears. right now you have the load bearing on the rod (assumedly through eyes at the top of the forks). rather than change the rod setup, how about adding a ridgid member closer to the bottom of the frame (maybe a fairly solid piece of angle or channel) and then put a cleat of some sort on the back of each fork. position the cleat so that it is just barely clear of the channel/angle at the bottom (maybe 1/32 - 1/16 clear). this way, when the forks are empty they will slide freely on the round rod, but when loaded, the rod will start to deflect until the cleat bears on the angle/channel. in theory, the cleat and angle/channel whould be taking the bulk of the load, and the rod should only deflect under load, and come right back when the load is removed. hope this makes sense without pictures.

 

[bjr]

I think you're answering your own question. It's for one thing too small of Diameter and to get the capacity your looking for you may need to increase the eyes on the forks. A good steel yard should have some 4140 steel material though and go like 1-1/2" in diameter. As for rust a healthy coating of grease on the shaft, yeah, that messy, welcome to the machinery world. bjr

 

[wldrbob]

make your forks out of 2x2 x.250 wall sq tubing and put some paint on them if your worried about rust. mine are 15 years old and lift 1000 lb hay bales easily

 

[wingerT]

I took a look at al the different designs that i seen and settled on this one. It looks like other ones but i made some of the features that other ones didnt have. The other designs used a 1 inch shaft also and a couple of them boasted that they could lift up to 1800 lbs. I included a pic of the forks, i like the design very use full, the only problem is the shaft.

 

[wingerT]

Here is the pic of the Forks 2520 john deere-

 

[alchemysa]

Here is the pic of the Forks 2520 john deere-

Is all the weight carried by the shaft? Can you modify it so the weight on the fork is supported by the top crossbeam of the frame? Can you weld something to the top of the fork so it hooks back over the frame?

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I buildt a set of pallet forks, and i used stainless steel for the shaft , the purpose was so the shaft didnt rust up from sitting outside. My problem is that by lifting 1000 lb plus totes the shaft bent, should i be using mild steel or cold rolled steel for the shaft, whats my best choice.

Stainless steel typically equals high nickel and low carbon content...awfully soft for what you are trying to do. Even mild steel would be better...when it comes to tractor implements and attachments, rust happens. Tarps and touch up paint will be your best friend barring inside storage.