Forklift Forks

[HerbW]

Hello fellows, I am new to this forum. I am looking to get some forklift forks that will go on my bucket. Anyone have a suggestion where I may purchase them/


Thank you for you assistance,

Herb

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Would really help to know the size of the tractor, and if it has a QA on it.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Knowing what tractor you have is important. I bought a set from Titan. Nicely made but I sure am glad I didn't buy the higher weight model. I am glad I have them but they are way more limited in utility than I thought...


http://www.palletforks.com/skid-steer-attachments/pallet-fork-attachments-74/clamp-on-pallet-forks/clamp-on-pallet-forks-1-500-lbs-capacity-w-stabilizer-bar.html

First off, when you put clip-on bucket forks on your lower bucket lip, you extend the moment arm that is picking up the weight another 40 inches in front of the tractor. That really limits the capability of the tractor to lift the load. Plus, the pallet forks are heavy. Mine probably weigh 100 lbs all-up. That lowers my roughly 900 lb lift capacity to somewhere around 600 lbs.

The other thing is, pallet forks clipped on your bucket lip really put a boatload of strain on your lower bucket edge as the load bounces up and down. Several Orange brethren have permanently bent their buckets using forks. Not a good idea if you plan on lifting really heavy loads.

I just moved over 70,000 lbs of stone on my forks. I fortunately saw the risk associated with the flexing on the lower bucket edge. We modified how we carried the material, moving it back as far as possible and leaning it on the upper bucket edge. My bucket lip is as straight as ever. Here's what it looks like loaded...

I will soon be moving another 20 tons of rock into the back yard and will have to break the pallet loads down into lighter loads to protect my bucket.

Ray

 

[HerbW]

Sorry for not posting the model. It is a MX5200. As to "QA", not being that knowledge about tractors, what is "QA".

Thanks,

Herb

 

[Greenhead]

Sorry for not posting the model. It is a MX5200. As to "QA", not being that knowledge about tractors, what is "QA".

Welcome Herb. QA refers to "Quick Attach" as in a loader option and how different attachments mount to the loader.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sx9FH73vD4

 

[Greenhead]

Could go with the clamp on as noted or the QA forks. Depends on your use and needs as to models and or capacities. The things are useful, however; you can't see the forks when low because the tractor hood is in the way. They aren't as visible as on a skid steer, and when you stand to see where the forks are the motor shuts down... So it's kinda like the braille method. I find there will be landscaping done when I'm moving pallets. A bucket level indicator helps (a little).

http://www.everythingattachments.com/Pallet-Forks-s/108.htm

 

[mickeyd]

Welcome to the OTT forum Herb. I have the QA forks and I am sure glad that I do. As CCR (not the band) stated, you get a lot more flex ability and capability with QA forks. If your tractor has QA that would definitely be the way to go.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

On the Tractor Operating page I posted a video of the forks in use...

Ray

 

[bryanduke]

I use forks nearly daily on my MX4800. I even use some 8 foot fork extensions that I fabricated to move some loads. I have my rear tires loaded and a 3pt ballast that weighs in right at 1000lbs.

 

[Jake71]

Hello All.
I have a new B2601 and I'm thinking of getting some pallet forks for the FEL. I don't have many repetitive uses but a few minor jobs so I was going to get some clamp on forks. I also have a piranha tooth bar.

Does anyone know or have experience with clamp on forks with a tooth bar? I suppose as limited as I plan on using them I could remove the tooth bar. Just curious if anyone has the same or similar quandary.


Thanks
Jake

 

[toxcrusadr]

How convenient that you posted this. I'm looking for forks for my L4600. I want to move lumber from my sawmill, might even stack it on a pallet with stickers (spacers) and set the whole kit-and-caboodle down somewhere to dry so I don't have to handle and stack it again. Probably they would be handy for picking up logs and setting them on the sawmill too.

I have a quick-attach bucket already so I'm thinking of the QA type rather than clamp-on to the bucket.

I found Everything Attachments brand as well as Construction Attachments both at EA's website. Both look like they would have the lift cap. over what my loader is already rated, for about $600-$650. Anyone have other recommendations?

I never considered that you can't see the forks over the tractor hood...already have trouble running the loader, maybe I'll get better at it.
Seems like a big mirror or a remote camera would be handy for this...

 

[Kennyd4110]

Hello All.
I have a new B2601 and I'm thinking of getting some pallet forks for the FEL. I don't have many repetitive uses but a few minor jobs so I was going to get some clamp on forks. I also have a piranha tooth bar.

Does anyone know or have experience with clamp on forks with a tooth bar? I suppose as limited as I plan on using them I could remove the tooth bar. Just curious if anyone has the same or similar quandary.


Thanks
Jake

Your 2601 has the quick attach right? Do yourself a favor and get QA forks-you will uses them 100% more than you think-and you will always regret the clamp-ons.

 

[PorkBolt]

Jake

I have the Berlons forks for my 2601; interchange quick and I can store against a wall with no impact on garage space.

 

[toxcrusadr]

Followup on my above post. My local Kubota dealer has HLA forks (aka Horst) for $800. I suspect many of the cheaper ones I could order are made overseas. I even saw a set with free shipping for $545. I would like to buy N. American made and am willing to spend a bit extra. The dealer did not know where the HLA's are made, said he would check and call me back, and didn't. Reading here at the Forum seems to indicate they are made in Canada. I found their website and sent them an email asking about it. Almost a week ago. No response.

Anyone know for sure where the HLA attachments are made? If these forks are made in China anyway, I might as well buy the cheaper Chinese ones from someone else.

 

[Kennyd4110]

Take a look at the Artillian "system", made in the USA and there are many add-on attachments that fit on the fork frame like a modular grapple, there is none lighter made either.

www.artillian.com

The Titan brand you saw IS made in China as is most things they sell. Many mixed reviews here and on TBN, some love them because them because they are cheap, some hate them because they are cheap.

I believe HLA is made in Canada, never heard anything bad about them.

 

[WFM]

Don't make me run out back. But I'm 90% sure I have the HLM for three yrs now. On mine they are stamped China in the side of one fork. So is the whole quick attach frame made in Canada and forks imported ? Not sure but mine still work great. I grease the slide rail twice a year to make it easy to adjust them depending on what I'm unloading.

 

[PorkBolt]

I have a set of US made Berlon forks; love em' on my B2601.


I think I paid 399 for them.

 

[v6pack]

Hello All.
I have a new B2601 and I'm thinking of getting some pallet forks for the FEL. I don't have many repetitive uses but a few minor jobs so I was going to get some clamp on forks. I also have a piranha tooth bar.

Does anyone know or have experience with clamp on forks with a tooth bar? I suppose as limited as I plan on using them I could remove the tooth bar. Just curious if anyone has the same or similar quandary.


Thanks
Jake

Jake, I have an L3901 with a piranha bar and I use a pair of clamp on pallet forks. The pallet fork clamps do go over the piranha bar easily but you do need to find a spot at one of the wider gaps to set the fork into in order to get it as close to the bucket as possible. I have not lifter extremely heavy loads with it but for what I have been doing it seems to work fine. My preference would be to buy a QA pallet forks and be done with not getting the clamp tight enough and having to lift them on and off of the bucket.

 

[Lennyzx11]

I have a L3301 and used a 4" grinder and sawzall to cut two of the teeth back to set the clamp ons in. It was a quick mod.


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[toxcrusadr]

I never did hear back from HLA/Horst or my dealer on where theirs were made. I was looking at Titan forks too (palletforks.com). Turns out their 48" quick-attach (they call them UA) are made in the USA (got the sticker right on em). Saved some money and FREE shipping too. And get this...I ordered em yesterday morning online. Today at 7:45 am my phone rang, it was FedEx Freight wanting to bring them at 10 am. Mrs. Tox is meeting them at the house now to sign for em. Freaky fast! I'll report back how they fit and such. So far very satisfied with the purchase process, we'll see how they work out.