What type of Steel

[wingerT]

Ok than would cold rolled steel be even better than, on the metalurgy scale ?

 

[mustangsallysdad]

Ok than would cold rolled steel be even better than, on the metalurgy scale ?

Cold rolled would be great...a bit pricey, though. If properly designed, mild steel should be more than adequate.

 

[countrybumpkin]

just curios if you have a wright up on your fork build, thay look to be the same design as i'm getting ready to build. What did you use for the main frame?

 

[Z-Michigan]

I'm not an expert but I think the question "which steel?" is avoiding the equally important question "what heat treatment?" I think you could get excellent results with a variety of steels, from a basic medium-carbon 1060 or 1070 up to something fancy like 4140 or 5160, but in any case I think you're going to want a fairly hard spring temper to get the stiffness you're looking for.

 

[wingerT]

I can take some better pictures and make up a sketch, with some specs, i kinda drew this thing up as i went a long, looked at alot of other forks, and i didnt like anything i seen, so i called everything attachments and asked if they would modify the forks for the john deere and they said No. ok. I baught blank forks from budet forks, 1 x 3 42 long along with some eyes for it. I could of probibly baught one set cheaper, but that ddidnt bother me, if i can't use it the way i want it then it aint worth having.
Part No: from budget for the forks are 701-3-42-B30 and the eyes Part: No is Eye-103
the forks weight 178 lbs, they are the lightest ones i could find. 1-800-821-3796. I will take some pics tomarrow and fill you in some more and till then. I hope this helps

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Your best bet is probably to go to a local machine shop and ask them what type of steel they can heat treat for you to get what you want.

What type of SS did you use? The range of strengths available in stainless is pretty wide.

I would second the recommendation for an additional feature to take some of the weight off the rod. Maybe some angle iron tabs off the back of the forks that will ride on the lower bar to take some of the vertical load.

 

[Gizmo2]

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.

Not sure of the content but totally agree, SS is pretty soft stuff. I would also think the bigger the rod the easier the forks will slide to position.

 

[true temper]

You guys are are worring way too much about what kind of steel to use. Go to the junk yard or steel supply and get a piece of cold roll 1 1/2" or a bit bigger. No need for heat treat. Hot roll would work fine except it don't let the forks slide as easly.

 

[wingerT]

I took some messured specs that i had on the Forks and they are as follows, height is 17" and width is 51.5" its made out of 2 1/2"square tubing. The shaft is 1" i used the stainlesss only for the reason that i didnt have to worry about it rusting, the best choice is to use cold rolled steel. I'll send some pics shortly

 

[wingerT]

One thing i found out is that the more of an angle that you make for your forks to tilt back the more weight i can lift, when i double stack racking for fire wood.