Lifting pallets

[Michael Aos]

2016 Kubota BX2370.

I've noticed I don't have much lift capacity with the BXpanded Quick-On pallet forks. They are really awesome otherwise.

Would I gain any lift capacity moving to a set of 3pt hitch pallet forks? Or maybe some pallet forks INSTEAD of having the bucket attached?

I don't need huge capacity. Just want to shuffle around a few pallets of pavers.
--

 

[tomplum]

I found out in a hurry that positioning of what you are lifting makes a difference. The further away from the loader pins the weight goes, the less you lift. To be doing what you want to do, you will need to be doing some restacking on to an empty pallet , close to the rack or into the the bucket.

 

[Michael Aos]

Yeah, I've been toying with the idea of building my own custom pallets with that in mind.

 

[Wagtail]

TractorData.com Kubota BX237 tractor attachments information

The farther your load is from the pins/back-of-the-bucket the less lifting capacity you'll have. Pavers weigh a lot.

You're either going to have to redistribute the pavers onto extra pallets, lightening each load, or invest in dedicated FEL forks (or 3PH forks).

Whenever you do use FEL forks, ensure that you have a counterweight of some sort (heavy implement/ballast box) on the 3PH, keep the pallet load low to the ground and your speed slow.

If you have to traverse a slope/incline, keep the load 'uphill'.

 

[Michael Aos]

Looking at the specs, I'm not sure which -- front or back -- would have higher capacity with pallet forks?

FEL lift capacity:
500mm fwd, max height - 518lbs
Lift capacity, pivot pin, max height - 745lbs

3pt lift capacity:
24" behind pin - 680lbs

 

[Michael Aos]

If I could gain "significant" capacity -- and it's not too much of a pain -- I'm considering either quick-swap the bucket for pallet forks, or buying a set for the 3pt hitch.

TractorData.com Kubota BX237 tractor attachments information

The farther your load is from the pins/back-of-the-bucket the less lifting capacity you'll have. Pavers weigh a lot.

You're either going to have to redistribute the pavers onto extra pallets, lightening each load, or invest in dedicated FEL forks (or 3PH forks).

Whenever you do use FEL forks, ensure that you have a counterweight of some sort (heavy implement/ballast box) on the 3PH, keep the pallet load low to the ground and your speed slow.

If you have to traverse a slope/incline, keep the load 'uphill'.

 

[teg]

...quick-swap the bucket for pallet forks...

Would be the best for you. You can see through the frame of the front forks, too. Another thing you could do is to check to see what your pressure is set at for your hydraulics. The company / dealers set it to the low side to protect the pump.

 

[Texasmark]

If I could gain "significant" capacity -- and it's not too much of a pain -- I'm considering either quick-swap the bucket for pallet forks, or buying a set for the 3pt hitch.

3 pt is the way to go with what you have posted, hands down. Right off the bat the lift rating of the 3 pt is half again what the loader rating is or so plus you have the load on the rears so it improves traction on the main drive tires. Disadvantages are that it is behind you and not in front and the lifting range is limited.

 

[dragoneggs]

3 pt is the way to go with what you have posted, hands down. Right off the bat the lift rating of the 3 pt is half again what the loader rating is or so plus you have the load on the rears so it improves traction on the main drive tires. Disadvantages are that it is behind you and not in front and the lifting range is limited.

Really? I didn't realize the 3pt had a higher lift capacity. That said, I think forks on the back would drive me crazy. When I ever get around to it, and I should have when I bought my BX, will be to get a QA and forks for the front. I like to see what I am doing and I want to be able to load/unload my pickup truck. The 3pt solution seems very limiting except for load capacity IMO.

 

[Xfaxman]

Will this style that fit front and rear, fit your BX? DUAL PURPOSE FORKS

Or make your own: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/286916-combination-ssqa-pallet-fork-qh.html