Fork Lift Fork Question

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I'm building a fork lift attachment for my Bobcat 863. I have almost all the metal in the bone pile and a set of forks. I noticed on the forks where they sit on the bar, the slot hasan angled side to it. I checked out some other fork lifts and it was the same. I was wondering just how important it is to have my bar for the forks be tapered at the top as well. Here is some pictures of what I'm talking about. Attached Images
Reply:Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that bevel is just to make it easier to take the forks on and off and it's not on the other side.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:The "taper" matches the edge on the carriage, both top and bottom. This allows the forks to slide sideways for adjustment while keeping them attached to the carriage. It's an important feature and standard for the industry.Lincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:Don't build it parallel with the bobtach. Surface.  The forks will not roll back far enough when the boom is down.  The bottom of the mounting plate needs to extend out further than the top so it actually makes the forks tilt up when mounting surface is perpindicular to the ground.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Bob - Your pictures show a standard  "hook" fork attachment; great on the factory floor and okay for bale handling, however, usually not the best for rough terrain handling of things like metal building components, which you may encounter. You might consider converting the forks to "pin-type" by replacing the hooks with  round  eyes, and of course fitting the carriage with a round shaft. Among their many other advantages, since pin-type forks will "hinge" independently of each other, that makes possible easy starting into loads when  machine and load alignment are less than ideal.  Same goes for pull-out; with pin-type's ability for forks to hinge independently,  that greatly reduces binding when  backing out of "skid" loads and especially so with  "dumping" of  "forked" loads. Pin-type fork spacing is also far easier to adjust, either manually or "from-the-seat" using various operator's  tricks.Besides the above, I think that a pin-type carriage will be easier to fabricate.Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 10-13-2012 at 08:04 AM.
Reply:I'd guess that the main reason the hooks are tapered is that it makes a stronger connection using less metal.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepBob - Your pictures show a standard  "hook" fork attachment; great on the factory floor and okay for bale handling, however, usually not the best for rough terrain handling of things like metal building components, which you may encounter. You might consider converting the forks to "pin-type" by replacing the hooks with  round  eyes, and of course fitting the carriage with a round shaft. Among their many other advantages, since pin-type forks will "hinge" independently of each other, that makes possible easy starting into loads when  machine and load alignment are less than ideal.  Same goes for pull-out; with pin-type's ability for forks to hinge independently,  that greatly reduces binding when  backing out of "skid" loads and especially so with  "dumping" of  "forked" loads. Pin-type fork spacing is also far easier to adjust, either manually or "from-the-seat" using various operator's  tricks.Besides the above, I think that a pin-type carriage will be easier to fabricate.Good Luck
Reply:Good enough. It's done and ready to lift, that's what counts.With what we've seen of Bob's craftsmanship I doubt there's anything to worry about.Good Luck