Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks

   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #1  

MIKE7639

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
48
Location
Oklahoma
Tractor
2012 Mahindra 4035 HST with top & tilt, loaded tires, Allis Chalmers WD
I'd appreciate some help in determining what size pallet forks to buy for general small hobby farm use. I want to buy a set of quick attach pallet forks for use on a Mahindra 4035 HST tractor. I occasionally receive products on "standard" pallets. I've been having the pallets placed in the pasture and removing the products by hand. Additionally I'd like to use forks to move lightweight brush piles to the burn site, carry fence posts, move bundles of shingles, move the occasional round bale, etc. At first blush after looking at the palletforks.com website and not knowing any better I'd think that the 42" forks would be fine but the price difference to upgrade to 48" or even the 60" forks is within my budget if there is a significant advantage to having longer forks. Pros or Cons? Thanks.
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #2  
I bought the 42" from Everything Attachments about 3 months ago. I couldn't be happier. You won't believe how many things you can do with them. I have yet to lift a pallet, but I have picked up and carried just about everything you could imagine. Good luck.
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #3  
I just got a set of 48s and they really work well. Every-bodies needs are different you will find out here, but from my point of view 60s would be to long and cumbersome for a big majority of the jobs that I have ever seen, in a factory and at home in a private setting. I never thought of 48s of being to long on any occasion, but there are occasions where 42s would have been to short for my jobs.
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #4  
I have the 42 inchers from EA.. they seem about right, but your tractor is a bit bigger, so maybe the 48 would be right for you. Of course the longer they are, the more careful you have to be to keep from "hooking" on things.:)

James K0UA
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #5  
60" would be great for brush piles but not much else. The ballast requirement is tremendous for a large load of heavy stuff like logs, bricks, and the like.
48" are a bit long if you are ever in close quarters, like a barn, forest, parking lot, around the house or buildings, etc.
42" (my set) are long enough for pallets but short enough for good maneuverability. Moving brush piles may take one or two extra trips compared to a 60" but it is not a big negative.

You mentioned they will be QA forks. Do you mean skid steer type or bucket attach type? If it is the bucket type then definitely go for 42". The bucket adds another 18" to 24" to the length off of the front end.
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #6  
I have 48s never needed longer and could probably do with 42s. I would definitely rule out 60s. They would make the tractor too tipsy.
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #8  
42" would most likely work fine for you. I have a small set of 32" clamp on forks for my small tractor. They come in real handy for a variety of jobs. Just be careful to not lift that load too high. A few years ago....I was moving some 15 ft. log poles. Went up a little too high...lost the load....almost tipped the tractor and needed to change my shorts. Forks are handy....be careful!:thumbsup:
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #9  
i say 42'' are fine why have 48'' thats less you can lift
 
   / Request Advise In Selecting Pallet Forks #10  
I have 48" forks. I move pallets all the time with mine. I probably could have got buy with 42" forks. I doubt you would need 60" forks unless you plan on moving big pallets. The average pallet is 42''x48". The longer the forks you have the farther they will stick out and the harder it will be to maneuver around with them. I would get a good set of forks. I think a lot of the name brand pallet forks use Cascade tines so there is not much difference other than what framework you like the looks of.
 
 
 
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