Forks General advice for buying tractor forks

[Bootjack]

I'm seeking general advice on buying forks for my tractor Kubota L4060 w/ quick attach loader. I would be using occasionally to move pallets (1/2 cord firewood max) , firewoood logs, occasional grubbing and possibly as a scaffold platform to paint. I used to have a tractor with the flip over forks which seemed to work fine for the occasional use. Now with the quick-attach set up I don't know what is best direction to go. My questions are (and i'm sure you have others I should be considering):

Specs. such as length of forks and maximum lift capacity.

Buying used vs. new?

Flip over or quick attach?

Fixed forks vs. floating?

Fixed vs. Non-fixed (adjustable width)

Best value i.e. quality vs. price

Quality manufacturers that offer good price value

Things to stay away from.

Thanks in advance

 

[George2615]

Welcome to TBN.............................

My forks are regular SSQA forks. Bought them at a surplus SS equipment shop. Its been a few years but I think they said the forks are rated for 4K. My loader is rated for about a ton. That is way more than I needed but the price was right. New they were about $500.
The forks are adjustable so they can slide narrow or wider by lifting the locking latch and sliding the forks. 48" length is standard but you can get longer or shorter forks. 48" is a good choice for tractor use in my opinion.
I modified mine to accept a hydraulic thumb and welded in a few extra braces. (before and after pics)

 

[4570Man]

SSQA is far superior to bucket forks. You want forks adequate for the lift capacity, but nothing super overkill. If you have a set of super heavy duty forks they are going to compromise your lifting ability because of their weight. I usually prefer used stuff, but it depends on availability. Forks are cheap enough it's probably not worth the hassle of going used.

 

[Bootjack]

SSQA is far superior to bucket forks. You want forks adequate for the lift capacity, but nothing super overkill. If you have a set of super heavy duty forks they are going to compromise your lifting ability because of their weight. I usually prefer used stuff, but it depends on availability. Forks are cheap enough it's probably not worth the hassle of going used.

Ok, I checked the capacity of my Kubota LA805 loader. It is rated at 1000 lbs. This may be a stupid question, but if my forks and QA weigh say 300 lbs. total, then I should only be using it to lift max 700 lbs? Assuming that is the case, weight really does matter (something I'm always trying to convince my gf of). So it seems that getting even a 2000 lb. rated forks is twice what I "should" use????

Also it would seem that grade of steel is important particularly if used for the occassional grubbing. It seems you want a lot of spring before it would bend. Any idea on a recommended grade?

George it looks like your forks are Titans. There are two ads for new Titan 48" forks one on ebay and one on amazon. I can't tell why there is such a price difference ($524 vs. $669 delivered). Not sure what I'm missing.

Something one of the ad setups offered was an angled QA to allow you to tip a load backwards. I don't really understand this since the loader has the capability to tip backwards.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been here many times before as an observer and learner but never posted.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what 4570 man said. I went to my dealer to buy a set of high dollar Land Pride forks. I was talking to the owner who said he could order a set for me, but in his opinion cost too much and showed me a set like the kind he and his son use on their farms. I saved over $200 and they have stood up to heavy use on my 5740 and 8540. We got 48" which while a bit unhandy in tight quarter works really well. My brother thought he might prefer the 42", but after using mine went with 48" 2500 pound capacity, ours is 3500 pounds as we use them on several tractors. Mine are not even branded, I believe his are Titan.

Now someone with more knowledge than I and there sure are a lot, might have a good reason for the higher priced ones, but so far we have been happy with ours.

 

[lennyzx11]

Ok, I checked the capacity of my Kubota LA805 loader. It is rated at 1000 lbs. This may be a stupid question, but if my forks and QA weigh say 300 lbs. total, then I should only be using it to lift max 700 lbs? Assuming that is the case, weight really does matter (something I'm always trying to convince my gf of). So it seems that getting even a 2000 lb. rated forks is twice what I "should" use????

Also it would seem that grade of steel is important particularly if used for the occassional grubbing. It seems you want a lot of spring before it would bend. Any idea on a recommended grade?

George it looks like your forks are Titans. There are two ads for new Titan 48" forks one on ebay and one on amazon. I can't tell why there is such a price difference ($524 vs. $669 delivered). Not sure what I'm missing.

Something one of the ad setups offered was an angled QA to allow you to tip a load backwards. I don't really understand this since the loader has the capability to tip backwards.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been here many times before as an observer and learner but never posted.

I'm new here and no expert by any means.

I "think" that the angled QA is to allow your loader tilt cylinders to be more in the middle of their travel when the forks are on level ground.
On a straight up and down plate, you have retracted the lift cylinders so much to get the forks horizontal with the ground at ground level, there isn't much more retraction movement left before bottoming out in order to tilt the forks back.

I have a Titan hitch. Very well made. They have a representative/owner on here that follows along most forums.

Welcome! You won't believe the wealth of knowledge here. Be prepared to be told to "Go use the search function" but if your question isn't answered, ask it anyway. These guys share information freely I have found.
Lenny

 

[leslcoop]

I'm seeking general advice on buying forks for my tractor Kubota L4060 w/ quick attach loader. I would be using occasionally to move pallets (1/2 cord firewood max) , firewoood logs, occasional grubbing and possibly as a scaffold platform to paint. I used to have a tractor with the flip over forks which seemed to work fine for the occasional use. Now with the quick-attach set up I don't know what is best direction to go. My questions are (and i'm sure you have others I should be considering): Specs. such as length of forks and maximum lift capacity. Buying used vs. new? Flip over or quick attach? Fixed forks vs. floating? Fixed vs. Non-fixed (adjustable width) Best value i.e. quality vs. price Quality manufacturers that offer good price value Things to stay away from. Thanks in advance

I bought my TC 30 New Holland new in 2006. I got it with the quick attach loader bucket and a set of Bobcat forks. The forks will lift a lot more than my tractor will so I am cautious not to overload. I have used them a lot. I would not be without a set of forks. You won't regret getting forks . You will find a ton of uses.

 

[George2615]

George it looks like your forks are Titans. There are two ads for new Titan 48" forks one on ebay and one on amazon. I can't tell why there is such a price difference ($524 vs. $669 delivered). Not sure what I'm missing.

Here's the forks I bought and the place I bought them. Mine have 42" forks and are 4000lb. rated. Made by either Fabtech/Versatech or Loflin, not Titan.

60" Skidsteer Pallet Forks 4000lb Capacity Univ Fit for Bobcat JD NH Cat | eBay

 

[lomita]

I'm seeking general advice on buying forks for my tractor Kubota L4060 w/ quick attach loader. I would be using occasionally to move pallets (1/2 cord firewood max) , firewoood logs, occasional grubbing and possibly as a scaffold platform to paint. I used to have a tractor with the flip over forks which seemed to work fine for the occasional use. Now with the quick-attach set up I don't know what is best direction to go. My questions are (and i'm sure you have others I should be considering):

Specs. such as length of forks and maximum lift capacity.

Buying used vs. new?

Flip over or quick attach?

Fixed forks vs. floating?

Fixed vs. Non-fixed (adjustable width)

Best value i.e. quality vs. price

Quality manufacturers that offer good price value

Things to stay away from.

Thanks in advance

==============================

Bootjack,
I recently purchased a "Titan" 48" Skid Steer Pallet Fork Attachment setup for $574 rated at 4000lbs. and am very pleased with it. Like you I will be using it occasionaly, not on a daily basis for business purposes. It attaches perfectly to my Kubota L48 QA.
A bonus for me as I live on the West coast is the FREE shipping which can add hundreds of dollars to the price.

Buy it............you won't be disappointed and their customer sevice is top notch.

 

[ishiboo]

Ok, I checked the capacity of my Kubota LA805 loader. It is rated at 1000 lbs. This may be a stupid question, but if my forks and QA weigh say 300 lbs. total, then I should only be using it to lift max 700 lbs? Assuming that is the case, weight really does matter (something I'm always trying to convince my gf of). So it seems that getting even a 2000 lb. rated forks is twice what I "should" use????

Also it would seem that grade of steel is important particularly if used for the occassional grubbing. It seems you want a lot of spring before it would bend. Any idea on a recommended grade?

George it looks like your forks are Titans. There are two ads for new Titan 48" forks one on ebay and one on amazon. I can't tell why there is such a price difference ($524 vs. $669 delivered). Not sure what I'm missing.

Something one of the ad setups offered was an angled QA to allow you to tip a load backwards. I don't really understand this since the loader has the capability to tip backwards.

Thanks for the welcome. I have been here many times before as an observer and learner but never posted.

Not sure you came up with 1000lbs. The LA805 is rated for 1715lbs at the pins, or 1290 at 20" forward at max height. So you're going to have essentially ~1000 lbs of lift capability. You can pick up more weight than that to move it, it just won't go all the way up.

Titan sells direct with free shipping. They have a model for $455 which is light, yet the frame is rated for 3000 lbs, and it has a trailer hitch built in: Titan Skid Steer 48" Pallet Fork & Trailer Hitch Attachment

(Note the forks are heavy and not included in the weight)