Forks Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get

   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #11  
I have the Land Pride forks rated at 2100 lbs. That is more than my L4400 can pickup. I think they are well built and their line of equipment has a fine reputation. I bought them from the local kubota dealer.
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #12  
I like the notched bar type personally. Like Zebrafive said the sliding rod can bend. Do not get a cheap, light weight set, they are too easy to bend. I have a light set that are sprung from loading heavy logs onto my band mill. For a little more money I could have got a better set of forks, I now have more money in forks than I should of had to spend . Your tractor will lift over 1800 lbs. so I would go with a set rated for 2500 lbs.
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #13  
I vote for the notched bar (non floating) vs the bar type (floating).
The round bars are too easy to bend. then your forks do not line up with each other.
You can not use the forks to (floating) to press down, like a brush pile.
Floating forks are easier to side under a pallet for less experienced user.
.............
With a loose chain around the fork they will press down and float enough for uneven ground.
I have had those forks for over 25 years, on several machines and have never bent a round bar. I did bend this frame when I tried to pick up too much weight, but it didn't bend the bar.


I vote for the rail type pallet forks that latch in place. You can dump something of off them if you want to.
.............

Look at the chain on the fork P6190011.JPG, if you can't dump something off of that, then gravity quit working! :D

I also have rail type forks that I built the frame for about 30 years ago.
PC040004.JPG PC040005.JPG PC040007.JPG PC040016.JPG P8181940.JPGP8181941.JPG
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #14  
My tractor is a Grand L5740 with an 854 loader. What capacity, what brand, notched fork locators or sliding bar type? Length of forks? width and thickness. I don't abuse my equipment but I don't baby it either.
Is that enough questions?

What will you be using them for? Pallets, or logs/brush/everything else?

I have both forks and grapple, the only time I use forks is for pallets. The grapple does EVERYTHING else!
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get
  • Thread Starter
#16  
Wow! Lot of info overnight. Lots of votes for both types. I'm still undecided. I have borrowed a set of forks from my brother in law. Sure made short work of cleaning up behind my barn. I moved just about everything and that is what I will be using my forks for, everything and anything. I don't like his forks because I can't see through them. The back guard or what ever you call it is a plate of steel with holes cut in it. I'm going to make sure mine is made in such a way as to be able to see through it.
I have a funny for you guys. (stupid maybe).
I tried to move a pallet of brick that probably had 1500 brick on it. I couldn't pick it up. The last time I tried to lift something too heavy, it lifted my rear tires off the ground. This time it just bypassed the hydraulics and wouldn't do anything. I thought "Oh crap, something is wrong with my tractor". I had a buddy bring me a 3000 PSI gauge and I was all prepared the check my hydraulic pressure. Well while I was showing him where I was going to put the gauge on one of my rear remotes, I spied the wheel weights I had added not long ago, 630 pounds of weight to be exact. There ain't nothing wrong with my hydraulic pressure, I just have a lot of ballast in the rear now. LOL :D (and I know someone will make a smart remark about my "rear" ballast) ;)
I got another pallet and split the brick between the two, moved that with no problem. I had originally set the brick there with a case 580 super K with forks. It can lift a bit more than my 5740. ;)
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #17  
Get a pallet mover for the 3PH also. Once you get a set of forks you be palletizing everthything.
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #18  
Get a pallet mover for the 3PH also. Once you get a set of forks you be palletizing everthything.
I added 3ph pins and a bracket for pinning the top link to my FEL forks. Lift capacity on the TPH is great for moving pallets of green, split firewood.
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #19  
I'll have to disagree with bending the round pin.
Every rough terrain forklift I've operated had the forks pivot on a round pin.
I never once bent the pin, bent a fork once but never the pin.

If you're working on uneven ground not nice flat graded stone or concrete, the non pivoting forks are difficult to use.

Now the lightweight forks for a skid steer or compact tractor may not have a big enough pin that could bend.
Most compact tractors don't have enough lift capacity to bend the pin.
:2cents:
 
   / Question, pallet fork users, which one should I get #20  
I had originally set the brick there with a case 580 super K with forks. It can lift a bit more than my 5740. ;)

I imagine that that 580 could pick up your entire 5740 wheel weights and all. ;)
 
 
 
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