bucket forks

admin

heres some pallet forks i just finished for a nieghbors tractor. 3 inch channel with 1/4 flat stock to box them in. Attached Images
Reply:I have been searching for some simple ideas on pallet forks for a small tractor.  I ran across your post.  Thanks, that suites my needs perfectlyGeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:You could not ask for better timing for an idea.  I just has a customer ask if I could make him forks for his tractor.  He has the clamp on kind but bend the front edge of his bucket. Thanks for the post.
Reply:any time you leave the bucket in place,the visibility is so bad you need a spotter (helper) to aim you at the target. gets real frustrating doing it by yourself.
Reply:Here's a set I made using a set of forklift forks. And yes that is a NY State Trooper's truck in that last picturehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...r+forks&page=8   #187 Attached ImagesCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterHere's a set I made using a set of forklift forks. And yes that is a NY State Trooper's truck in that last picturehttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...r+forks&page=8   #187
Reply:Originally Posted by boatbuoyany time you leave the bucket in place,the visibility is so bad you need a spotter (helper) to aim you at the target. gets real frustrating doing it by yourself.
Reply:For small machines like the Kubota in the 1st post C channel forks will work. The problem is with larger machines you can easily out lift the capacity of C channel turned flat and they can fail without warning on a bounce or sudden shock. Heavy forks, like those shown on the Ford, are the way to go for those machines and can often be picked up dirt cheap from salvage yards or scrap equipment dealers..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW Heavy forks, like those shown on the Ford, are the way to go for those machines and can often be picked up dirt cheap from salvage yards or scrap equipment dealers.
Reply:Actually the ones I was thinking of are usually still on old dead machines. There used to be a yard near me that always had one or two in for scraping every time I went. I can see the issues with worn and replaced individual blades however..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:The reason I went with the fork setup I did was not only visibility (I pickup alot of steel the bucket would hide) but also the bucket on that tractor is HUGE and heavy  (1,200 lbs). Adding the forks onto the bucket would have greatly reduced the amount of weight the fork could handle. The forks bracket they set on was based on the bucket attachment. It only takes a few minutes to switch out the bucket to the forks and back to the bucket. And the fork slide along the bracket making adjustment to various pallets possible. Plus I have even used the forks  to pry out tree stumps when I did not want to fire up my Ford 555 Extend A Hoe Backhoe.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Unfortnately I am labored with an old Farmal 300 and a trip bucket.  No quick connect/disconnect and for the occassional light stuff (600lbs + - ) a pair of reasonably stout pallet forks attached to the bucket should work.  I like the approach by the OP, and no offense to his design, but I am concerned about flex in the solid bar.  Currently working on a design substituting pipe and a convienent quick attach.  If someone has already skinned this bear please advise.GeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Actually we had a set of heavy forks for our Ford backhoe that used solid rod maybe 1 1/4".  It would lift at least 3000 lbs. Thats also a pretty standard way they do  QD forks on big loaders also. They use a set of hooks on the top of the bucket that you slip the rod into when you roll back on the bucket. Pipe is much weaker unless you upsize it. One thing with many rod type forks. You can not angle them down like you can with fixed forks if you need to get under something or get into a pallet on a down hill slope. I can't tell if thats an issue with the OP's design or not..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWActually we had a set of heavy forks for our Ford backhoe that used solid rod maybe 1 1/4".  It would lift at least 3000 lbs. Thats also a pretty standard way they do  QD forks on big loaders also. They use a set of hooks on the top of the bucket that you slip the rod into when you roll back on the bucket. Pipe is much weaker unless you upsize it. One thing with many rod type forks. You can not angle them down like you can with fixed forks if you need to get under something or get into a pallet on a down hill slope. I can't tell if thats an issue with the OP's design or not.
Reply:Nice job on the forks. We use channel with angle as a stiffener like this [>. I think its 4 by something channel w/ 1/4x1x1 angle.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:No matter what color you paint the barn, I don't feel comfortable with forks made out of channel.OP's toggle forks are good for rough ground, don't want fixed forks on anything other than a warehouse floor.But I wish they were real forks"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:solid rod for attachment pins is usually 4140 or similar. as long as you didn't use mild steel I think that looks fine
Reply:The forks I made can be used at any angle. The forks as seen in the picture slide along the bracket  and fit very  nicely onto the bracket held in place by the original fork lift retention guides and a spring loaded pin that fits into groves along the bracket rails. Attached ImagesCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Originally Posted by specterThe forks I made can be used at any angle. The forks as seen in the picture slide along the bracket  and fit very  nicely onto the bracket held in place by the original fork lift retention guides and a spring loaded pin that fits into groves along the bracket rails.
Reply:Originally Posted by stampsolid rod for attachment pins is usually 4140 or similar. as long as you didn't use mild steel I think that looks fine
Reply:Thanks everyone for the comments. I got the forks for free when I welded the brackets on their bobcat. The shop had a bunch of forks just laying around and the repair weld on the bobcat only took just over 10 minutes.  I have a 1958 International 330 Utility Tractor that has a trip bucket on it!! I would never trust the bucket release enough to try adding the forks onto the bucket. Just crossing the field with that tractor bucket loaded isn't exactly safe!!!!! I have had the trip bucket release a couple of times I was carrying a load in the bucket then hit a bump crossing the field.All the heavy steel to build the fork was scrap sitting around my farm. It took me about 3 hours from start to finish.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Spector,nice job on your forks at the right price.  makes for a good projectGeezerPower Mig 255C185 TIGBlue 175 MIGRanger 8 Kohler 20HP1974 5K Lincoln/Wisconsin Powered (Cherry)Victor/Harris O/AK 487 Spool Gun
Reply:Real pallet fork "dirt cheap"....Haa. Not around here, if ya can find them at all, the small ones are at least .$100   and thing go up from there......