Homemade Channel Iron Forks

[Old Machinist]

Some of you might have read my eBay skid steer plate saga but I will repeat it in this thread.

I ordered a 5/16” thick skid steer blank off eBay. It arrived and was way off from specs to fit right. The seller gave me a partial refund to fix it so I was in it for $76.02 plus my time and materials to repair.

After measuring the Kubota loader QA and bucket and comparing to the eBay plate I found all the dimensions that were off were in the bottom bevel area. It was a half inch wider and further down than the bottom bevel on the loader bucket. Part of the extra width also made the holes too large. The extra width of the bottom was hitting the loader arms and holding the flat part away from the loader pads. In addition to that the pins would not make contact with the edge of the oversize holes. My only option was to cut off the bottom sections and fix it from that end.

It didn't span all the way across so I cut the two sections off the bottom, cut them down, and relocated them. I ended up setting it on the loader and clamping everything in place to tack it then pulled it back off to finish welding. Welding is not my first language but I get by.

I made a template out of aluminum to cut some oval holes to reduce weight and aid in visibility. I don't use the plasma cutter often so my cuts aren't all that clean.

I decided to use 3” channel iron for the fork build. I figure it will be strong enough to lift anything my loader can handle. I split one piece for the top and bottom channels. This caused the pieces to warp so I had to clamp them onto a piece of uncut channel to get the bow out while I welded them to the plate. After welding the edges I cut some small pieces to gusset the top channel and cut some small angle iron to gusset the bottom channel. I cut and fitted pieces to two 20” long channel for the uprights and cut some 42” long pieces for the forks. I cut a couple of short pieces to 45 degrees to gusset the corners. When I fitted the hook pieces to the channels I spaced them with a .040” feeler gauge so they would slide easy. I didn’t notch anything to locate the spacing but they seem to stay where I put them.

At completion I have about $120 invested not counting my time and welding supplies.

I am planning to build a spade that will slide on in place of the forks later. I might also add a grapple clamp for fork use?

 

[Smokeydog]

Nice bit of fabrication. Will be very handy.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

I made a template out of aluminum to cut some oval holes to reduce weight and aid in visibility. I don't use the plasma cutter often so my cuts aren't all that clean.

Here too. But using an outside template makes it easier. If I "slip" there is excess material that is easily dealt with as opposed to the hole being too big.

Very nice work !

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Nice work sir!

Thanks for taking the time to write it up.

Those "cut outs" look like a good idea. Having a plasma cutter is a "game changer" for sure.

My upstairs "Chi-Com" plasma machine comes in very, very handy thats for sure.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Great job, fun reading and awesome pictures.

If you want, the bigger plasma divots can be weld repaired and ground flush with an angle grinder, but you'd want to turn the feed rate way down and current up so the filler wire burns in better. Then chisel any remaining weld BBs off, paint, and wildlife will think you have mad plasma skills. (Or don't worry about it and just use the snot out of it, looks great as-is; I wish I had bucket forks.)

 

[Old Machinist]

Great job, fun reading and awesome pictures.

If you want, the bigger plasma divots can be weld repaired and ground flush with an angle grinder, but you'd want to turn the feed rate way down and current up so the filler wire burns in better. Then chisel any remaining weld BBs off, paint, and wildlife will think you have mad plasma skills. (Or don't worry about it and just use the about out of it, looks great as-is; I wish I had bucket forks.)

Yeah I welded in the few places where it went outside and cleaned it up with the grinder some. It looks fine from 10 feet away. I seem to be able to get long straight cut settings and travel speed okay but the curves give me trouble.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

NICE !!!!
FORKS are sooooooo handy for 100s of jobs !

 

[BT3101]

Nice!

I took a little different approach when I made mine a couple years ago. Not saying my way was better, just another idea. When I rotate my FEL, I can slide the forks to the gap desired.

Only thing I still need to add is something KEEP them from rotating out when I dump items off of the top of the forks. Used them quite a bit and that is definitely an improvement I will still make.

My approach is most of the weight is resting on the bottom angle iron, not the slide bar round stock across the top. It's definitely light duty but I got the forks for $90 and the SSQA adapter was about $110 if I remember right.