Bucket forks vs quick attach forks mathmatics, guru's enter!

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
100
42
28
VA
I am still trying to get all the figures together, but, I dont see any "lifting" benefits between clamp on bucket forks and dedicated QA forks. If the BX23s has 1,000lb (rounded) lift at the pin (no bucket), then you add a 120lb bucket on a QA, you get 500lb lift at 48" according to TTwTim. A dedicated QA fork setup is min 160lbs (QA attachment and forks all ready to go). So, I would be losing 40lbs of lift from the start, which gives me 460lb of lift (averaged out). From there, the math starts kicking in. I believe there is a general rule you lose so much lift beyond the pin at certain inches the further out you go. I cant find that info again and give up, lol. But, from what I HAVE read, I think the two setups are neck and neck for lift capacity. I have an extra blade on my bucket now so I dont think I will be getting a smiley face on it any time soon with 400lbs on the end of a set of clamp on's. Other than that, I dont see any advantages with lift, other than paying an extra $400.

Am I missing anything in my mathematical euphoria, lol?
 

jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,458
1,565
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
I am still trying to get all the figures together, but, I dont see any "lifting" benefits between clamp on bucket forks and dedicated QA forks. If the BX23s has 1,000lb (rounded) lift at the pin (no bucket), then you add a 120lb bucket on a QA, you get 500lb lift at 48" according to TTwTim. A dedicated QA fork setup is min 160lbs (QA attachment and forks all ready to go). So, I would be losing 40lbs of lift from the start, which gives me 460lb of lift (averaged out). From there, the math starts kicking in. I believe there is a general rule you lose so much lift beyond the pin at certain inches the further out you go. I cant find that info again and give up, lol. But, from what I HAVE read, I think the two setups are neck and neck for lift capacity. I have an extra blade on my bucket now so I dont think I will be getting a smiley face on it any time soon with 400lbs on the end of a set of clamp on's. Other than that, I dont see any advantages with lift, other than paying an extra $400.

Am I missing anything in my mathematical euphoria, lol?
The stability of SSQA forks is hands down better no matter what machine you put them on, compared to clamp on forks. The SSQA frame sits back against the lift arm plate and the load Being closer to the pins is much more stable than sitting out there way in front of the bucket. The effect is a longer fulcrum for the load unbalancing the front of the tractor. Spend the extra money and get SSQA.
 
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GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,669
3,916
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
Depending on the load, you can get it closer to the frame with QA forks than boltons and a bucket.
I have HLA 900# QA pallet forks for my BX23S and they will juuuuust lift a set of duals form a dump truck.
The weight of bucket vs forks/frame may be a 'wash' BUT you get far better control and stability with forks.
Be sure to max out the air in the fronts !
ANY QA forks rated for 700-900#s will do , don't buy 1000,1500 or 2000# units. WASTE of money.
 
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mikester

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Equipment
M59 TLB
Oct 21, 2017
3,125
1,609
113
Canada
www.divergentstuff.ca
I am still trying to get all the figures together, but, I dont see any "lifting" benefits between clamp on bucket forks and dedicated QA forks. If the BX23s has 1,000lb (rounded) lift at the pin (no bucket), then you add a 120lb bucket on a QA, you get 500lb lift at 48" according to TTwTim. A dedicated QA fork setup is min 160lbs (QA attachment and forks all ready to go). So, I would be losing 40lbs of lift from the start, which gives me 460lb of lift (averaged out). From there, the math starts kicking in. I believe there is a general rule you lose so much lift beyond the pin at certain inches the further out you go. I cant find that info again and give up, lol. But, from what I HAVE read, I think the two setups are neck and neck for lift capacity. I have an extra blade on my bucket now so I dont think I will be getting a smiley face on it any time soon with 400lbs on the end of a set of clamp on's. Other than that, I dont see any advantages with lift, other than paying an extra $400.

Am I missing anything in my mathematical euphoria, lol?
Yes, ignorance is bliss. Start here if you want to pursue unhappiness

 
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SRRGC1

Active member

Equipment
BX1870-1, BX23S TLB, RTV XG850, MX5100DT
Jan 6, 2021
208
75
28
Bloomsburg
Presuming you have the QA bucket; QA forks are far better for all the reasons mentioned above. Additionally, you can damage your bucket with clamp-on forks. Also, harder see see clamp-on forks when attempting to load items. Unless you by passed safety switches, your tractor will shut down if you stand up in an attempt to see your clamp on forks better.
 
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foobert

Active member

Equipment
BX2380
Mar 25, 2021
112
111
43
Washington
My biggest disappointment with the BX is the loader lift capacity. 900# sounds like quite a bit until you start accounting for all the actual usage case conditions:
1) the actual load is never at the pin
2) the bucket/fork weight is subtracted out
3) you want to go higher than some inches off the ground

You're rightfully worried about weight of the bucket vs forks, but, the distance from the pin maybe be more important.

In my case, I needed to go to full height to get hay bales into the loft. 2 bales (~110# each) stacked flat across the forks tops out about at least a foot short of getting to full height. But, if I stack the bails by the fork frame, it'll *just* reach full height.

Gee whiz, that #900 pounds is suddenly <200# of full useful lift.
64EF11AA-2B79-4E5F-9390-0865F751A7D3.jpeg
 

Jasper2018

Member

Equipment
Kubota L3130. LA723 FEL, L3901 HST, LA525, bush hog rotary cutter,
May 25, 2021
49
21
8
Florida
Get the QA forks. The clamp on style are a waste of money
I have a set that I would gladly sell for a QA set. Forks do not align correctly even using the optional brace. Hard to see where your forks are do to bucket being in the way.
 
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SteveBX23

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Equipment
LX2610SU; BH77
May 23, 2021
174
295
63
South Jersey
My biggest disappointment with the BX is the loader lift capacity. 900# sounds like quite a bit until you start accounting for all the actual usage case conditions:
1) the actual load is never at the pin
2) the bucket/fork weight is subtracted out
3) you want to go higher than some inches off the ground

You're rightfully worried about weight of the bucket vs forks, but, the distance from the pin maybe be more important.

In my case, I needed to go to full height to get hay bales into the loft. 2 bales (~110# each) stacked flat across the forks tops out about at least a foot short of getting to full height. But, if I stack the bails by the fork frame, it'll *just* reach full height.

Gee whiz, that #900 pounds is suddenly <200# of full useful lift. View attachment 73710
Same. Comparatively speaking, I have a friend who has an L39 who is also less than impressed with its lift capabilities with the FEL
 

SteveBX23

Well-known member

Equipment
LX2610SU; BH77
May 23, 2021
174
295
63
South Jersey
Get the QA forks. The clamp on style are a waste of money
I have a set that I would gladly sell for a QA set. Forks do not align correctly even using the optional brace. Hard to see where your forks are do to bucket being in the way.
Understanding limitations helps. I have clamp ons and they serve the purpose well. I can lift them and place them on the bucket if needed, but I’m able to get them on using the FEL without getting off the tractor. Not that difficult
 

Millsertime

New member

Equipment
LX2610
Nov 5, 2021
14
11
3
Poconos, PA
As others have mentioned, the biggest advantage of QA is that YOU CAN SEE what you are picking up and you aren't having to deal with the bucket in the way of your line of sight!

That alone is worth $400 IMO.
 
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Crash277

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23S
Jan 17, 2021
846
622
93
Canada
Why I prefer ssqa forks. I just moved a pile of logs Today. Using the grapple and the ssqa forks. Grapple because the amount of snow was crazy so trying to line forks up under logs would have been a pain. Some of the logs I couldn’t lift. I could only curl. I moved the entire pile. Tossed on the bucket. Cleared the snow, then tossed down 2 sacrifice logs to put the pile on. Instead of the grapple I decided to use the forks to re stack. Once I curled a log and it was as close to the pivot point as possible. I was able to lift every log. With clamp on forks I can guarantee I wouldn’t have been able to lift them all.
 
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BigG

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Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
Sep 14, 2018
1,950
774
113
West Central,FL
My biggest disappointment with the BX is the loader lift capacity. 900# sounds like quite a bit until you start accounting for all the actual usage case conditions:
1) the actual load is never at the pin
2) the bucket/fork weight is subtracted out
3) you want to go higher than some inches off the ground

You're rightfully worried about weight of the bucket vs forks, but, the distance from the pin maybe be more important.

In my case, I needed to go to full height to get hay bales into the loft. 2 bales (~110# each) stacked flat across the forks tops out about at least a foot short of getting to full height. But, if I stack the bails by the fork frame, it'll *just* reach full height.

Gee whiz, that #900 pounds is suddenly <200# of full useful lift. View attachment 73710
Build yourself a table to match the height of your trailer. Slide the bales onto the table and then pick it up to the loft from low on the table. To gain a little more height build the table to match the tailgate of the truck and forget the trailer. I do not know if that is practical due to the number of bales that you buy at one time.
 

RalphVa

Well-known member
Jan 19, 2020
738
319
63
Charlottesville
You need GOOD clamp on forks like those from Titan that supply chains that wrap around the FEL to keep them from bending the bucket.

Big advantage of clamp on forks is cost and storage, easier on both. Think dedicated forks are MUCH better for heavy loads.

Biggest advantage of dedicated forks is visibility.

I got all this info when I asked about them on TbN
 

foobert

Active member

Equipment
BX2380
Mar 25, 2021
112
111
43
Washington
Build yourself a table to match the height of your trailer. Slide the bales onto the table and then pick it up to the loft from low on the table. To gain a little more height build the table to match the tailgate of the truck and forget the trailer. I do not know if that is practical due to the number of bales that you buy at one time.
Truck and trailer were both fully loaded. We go through a couple of tons a year.

Such a PITA to even need to think about a table, yadda yadda ... (Which, great minds and all -- I'm already in motion on similar thought (y))
 

OrangePower

Active member

Equipment
A cute little rinky dinky 2021 BX23s
Sep 15, 2021
100
42
28
VA
Thanks for all the feedback ladies n gents. I am working on a QA set right now. Found a set of fork an hour away for $100 and a frame for $150. I could probably weld my own, but, at $150, that would be hard to beat.

You need GOOD clamp on forks like those from Titan that supply chains that wrap around the FEL to keep them from bending the bucket.

Big advantage of clamp on forks is cost and storage, easier on both. Think dedicated forks are MUCH better for heavy loads.

Biggest advantage of dedicated forks is visibility.

I got all this info when I asked about them on TbN
Kind of depends. I had a $99 set off ebay that did what I needed it to do, but, it was the 36" ones and too short for my water tanks. I sold them and now in the process of getting longer ones. While I understand that a set of dedicated QA forks are the way to go, $700+ (buying the titan brand) and a loss of 60lb (taking a wild guess) is pretty debatable to a pair of ebay forks for casual lifting. I mean, even if I do get the setup I am wheeling and dealing on for $300 ($425 will be backup plan "B"), whats the use if I am equal to and or lose lift capacity over $150 forks? Not much stability loss with 300lbs, I would not think. That, and, whatever I lift would not be over 36" at most. Wait, how tall is a truck bed? Hmmmm.....................
 
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leveraddict

Well-known member

Equipment
2017 BX23S 60" LP BoxBlade 54" mower 60" BackBlade EA 12" 1 bottom plow & Forks
Apr 1, 2019
906
580
93
NEPA
A tractor sucks as a forklift....period!

I have clamp on's I use once a year just to lift implements chest high for cleaning and touch up to deter rust. Also moving them around the yard and moving some lumber around.

It all depends what you will use them for. Again...a tractor sucks as a forklift!
 

Goz63

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L2501, LA525 loader, QH15,Land Pride RCR1860, BB2560, SGC0660, forks
Jun 19, 2021
299
349
63
Mississippi
A tractor sucks as a forklift....period!

I have clamp on's I use once a year just to lift implements chest high for cleaning and touch up to deter rust. Also moving them around the yard and moving some lumber around.

It all depends what you will use them for. Again...a tractor sucks as a forklift!
A tractor sucks compared to a dedicated anything pretty much. My zero turn blows it away as a mower, a mini ex blows it away vs back hoe, and yes a true fork lift is much better than pallet forks on your fel BUT I can do all those things with one machine just not the greatest. When I was looking for my tractor and implements everyone said get a grapple, it is always on my tractor. Well I got one and love it but is it on my machine all the time? No. My pallet forks are. I use them constantly . I have a small horse farm and I am always moving stuff around from fertilizer for the pasture to putting things in the loft of the pole barn they are used all the time. As for clamp ons GP Outdoors has a couple videos on YouTube that are good. For me putting the forks farther out by clamping them to the bucket and low visibility would push me for the dedicatedSSQA type. For a tractor implement forks are pretty cheap. (I paid $550 last June when I bought my tractor) It is much easier to switch an SSQA attachment vs clamping on the forks and lastly I don’t want to bend my bucket. If you use them very little, which like I said I use mine a lot, then clamps may save some cash. If you find you love ‘em like I do then you might need them more often and get sick of clamping on and off. There has to be a good market for clamp ons or they wouldn’t make them. As for lifting capacity, if that was such a big deal than the BX May have been a little light for the original purchase. That machine was not designed to be a FEL powerhouse.
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,669
3,916
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
yes, the ACTUAL lifting capacity and height of the BX23s is 'dismal' BUT it sure beats using a wheelbarrow or a dozen other WORSE ways of hauling something heavy and awkward from point 'a' to 'b'.
That being said, it's managed to do a LOT of jobs in minutes that'd take me all day. For those bigger jobs, I can use the D-14/carryall or the A-C forklift.Neither cost me much and are cheap to run.
If I needed to get hay into a loft, I'd buy an old elevator and rework it, or re 'landscape' the lot so trailer could park next to the barn. The older I get, the more I look into 'options' instead of brute force.Rather spend an extra 1/2hr getting a job done, than 3 days laying in bed from a bad back....
 
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pjoh784350

Active member

Equipment
BX23, quick attach bucket, 3 point, pallet forks
May 3, 2019
157
68
28
Danville
I am still trying to get all the figures together, but, I dont see any "lifting" benefits between clamp on bucket forks and dedicated QA forks. If the BX23s has 1,000lb (rounded) lift at the pin (no bucket), then you add a 120lb bucket on a QA, you get 500lb lift at 48" according to TTwTim. A dedicated QA fork setup is min 160lbs (QA attachment and forks all ready to go). So, I would be losing 40lbs of lift from the start, which gives me 460lb of lift (averaged out). From there, the math starts kicking in. I believe there is a general rule you lose so much lift beyond the pin at certain inches the further out you go. I cant find that info again and give up, lol. But, from what I HAVE read, I think the two setups are neck and neck for lift capacity. I have an extra blade on my bucket now so I dont think I will be getting a smiley face on it any time soon with 400lbs on the end of a set of clamp on's. Other than that, I dont see any advantages with lift, other than paying an extra $400.

Am I missing anything in my mathematical euphoria, lol?
the post is well covered but I vote for ssqa forks as well. Biggest thing to do now is get a source for pallets. Since the lift capacity is limited I stack smaller loads on pallets then stack the loads into piles to save room. You have to remove each pallet to get what you want but its a lot easier (and funner) using the BX than it is by hand!
 
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