Forks Help me figure out clamp on fork lifting capacity

[hammick]

I bought a 2002 Branson 4020 that I will pick up in about 10 days. It has a BL20 FEL and it also has an older back hoe with it's own pump as well as a new 5' box blade.

The FEL is not SSQA. It's the older Branson style. My dealer will sell me a new set of clamp on forks for $100

I know clamp ons are not ideal because the weight is out in front of the bucket. However, they are cheap and I don't have SSQA so it would get pretty expensive to add dedicated forks.

The most I can see wanting to lift is 1,200 lbs from a height of about 3 1/2 feet. Assuming my clamp on forks can handle it, will the tractor FEL lift 1,200 lbs from a height of 3 1/2 feet? Specs of tractor and loader below. Thanks for any info!

Tractor HP: 40 (with turbo)
Tractor weight: 3,624 lbs (without FEL)
FEL lift to full height (at pin): 2,094 lbs
FEL breakout force (at 500mm) 2,755 lbs
My rear tires are loaded

 

[4570Man]

There is no good way to calculate it. The only way to know for sure is try it and see. I'm guessing it won't lift it. It easily would with SSQA forks.

 

[hammick]

Thanks for the info. I guess for $100 it's cheap enough to gamble. I'm assuming the relief valve would just activate when the FEL is at it's limit? I'd be shocked if my back wheels lifted on level concrete given that they are filled. Could always but on the box scraper for extra ballast.

As I get into this more and head towards retirement I'm going to learn to weld and make my own stuff. I'm always amazed at some of the stuff I see you guys make.

 

[4570Man]

In ideal conditions the back wheels won't lift, but in less than ideal conditions you can certainly get them off the ground. More ballast than just loaded tires is recommended. The backhoe makes great ballast.

 

[jeff9366]

4570MAN is right. I would not attempt a max lift on a new/used tractor, where you do not know if perhaps a hydraulic line is about to go, or a tire stem blow out, leading to the tractor toppling.

Put on the Backhoe or the Box Blade before you attempt your lift.

It seems your tractor has enough FEL lift. Questions are two: Do you know the weight of the load, or are you estimating? Are the clamp on forks strong enough to bear the proposed stress?

If one fork fails, it is almost certain the second fork will fail within seconds, when it has 100% of the load.....and over you go.

Have your dealer provide the specs for the forks he is going to sell you. Be willing to pay $150 for forks with twice the load rating.

Lift only on level ground, with no holes or other opportunities for a wheel to drop.


Be careful. Farming is the most dangerous occupation in the US and a large part of the deaths and injuries are tractor related.

 

[joecdeere]

I have a set too that I use every once in a while. You will loose lots of your lift capacity with the forks being
Out in front of the bucket, and yes it puts a great deal of stress on the bucket floor.
I have an extra piece of 3/8 flat bar
I lay into the bucket before clamping the forks on, it helps spread out the load. The are handy for quick things, but they are not the answer for heavy work.

 

[tman1020]

They are not the best but they are way better than nothing. The amount you can lift will be greatly determined by how far out on the forks the load you are trying to lift is. In other words the closer you can keep the load to the bucket the higher your load capacity will be. Be careful though as others have said it's easy to max out with those forks and they can damage your bucket.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I used a set of clamp on's for several years on my NH 1720 and got along fine. Check your bucket to see it if has reinforcement strips on the bottom. My Stoll FEL had them. They were in line with the loader arms. I placed my forks under those strips. The construction of the forks should allow the back of the bucket to help with lifting. I never bent my bucket or came close. The loader would only pick up around 1200# at the pins.

I was in the same situation you are in. My loader had a pin on bucket. The clamp on's were a good alternative. Just try to get the load up to the bucket edge. Your 2,094# lift capacity at full height will be around 70% of that at the bucket center so figure round 1400# of lift. At 3-1/2' it will be a little higher than that but not much. I would figure another 60% reduction for those forks would calculate to be around 850-900#. I don't think 1,200# is doable at that height. Just be careful to not bend your bucket. For $100 it is a low cost alternative.

 

[jeff9366]

It should be noted that some tractor manufactures include the weight of the bucket in FEL specs, some omit the weight of the bucket in FEL specs. I have no idea which camp Branson is in. Just another caution on a max lift.

 

[hammick]

Thanks for the good info guys. What I will be wanting to lift are diesel generators that have build in skids. The 5kw version weighs approx 800lbs and the 10kw version weighs approx 1,200lbs. They also have lifting hooks so probably a safer bet to lift with a four point strap so the weight is under the bucket. My dealer is welding a couple hooks on my bucket as part of the sale.