SSQA Pallet Fork Options?

[cold1313]

What do you guys recommend for pallet forks? My loader will lift over 2,000lbs, I am looking to be able to pick up a pallet of wood pellets out of the back of my truck.

When they load them for me, they have to set it on the truck bed and usually back up and pick up the rear to keep pushing the pallet forward to get it to the middle of the bed. So i was wondering what length forks to look at, so that I am able to do the reverse - pick up the pallet and pull it out. Or maybe I will have to sling it and pull it towards the tailgate.

Recommendations?

 

[goeduck]

How heavy is the pallet of pellets?

 

[cold1313]

2,000lbs

 

[goeduck]

Palletforks.com which is Titan makes the 42” ones that I have. They are a good value and you need SSQA but if you are near your load limit I would be worried that you could not get the pallet lifted given the center of load is a 1/2 pallet+ forward of your pins. Also, the forks themselves will weigh a few hundred pounds depending on the model decreasing your capacity.

 

[Redlands Okie]

If bet you can get enough lift to slide it out. Question would be what happens when it comes out. Make sure you have enough weight for counter balance on the rear. Also keep a eye on not bending your tailgate when the last of the pallet comes off. Might be best to just slide the tailgate off first when unloading if its not to hard to pull off. Then lower the pallet to move around. Just not to low. The tractor may not be able to pick it back up again but still be able to hold the pallet up and move it around. Just take it slow so as not to stress anything if your pushing the tractors limits.

 

[4570Man]

Unless you have a different tractor than the Kubota 3200 you aren't going to lift a ton.

 

[DieselBound]

Palletforks.com which is Titan makes the 42 ones that I have. They are a good value and you need SSQA but if you are near your load limit I would be worried that you could not get the pallet lifted given the center of load is a 1/2 pallet+ forward of your pins. Also, the forks themselves will weigh a few hundred pounds depending on the model decreasing your capacity.

Yup. That weight is shifted out and makes a HUGE difference. I can lift 2,000+ lbs fairly easily with my NX5510 on my grapple, but if I had 2,000 in a pallet I'd have to question whether it would do it. Also keep in mind that as you really start loading that front end that your steering is going to start to be difficult (and do NOT try any of this on soft ground! - I speak with authority!:laughing.

 

[4570Man]

Yup. That weight is shifted out and makes a HUGE difference. I can lift 2,000+ lbs fairly easily with my NX5510 on my grapple, but if I had 2,000 in a pallet I'd have to question whether it would do it. Also keep in mind that as you really start loading that front end that your steering is going to start to be difficult (and do NOT try any of this on soft ground! - I speak with authority!:laughing.

And unless the intended result is a catapult dragging a ton pallet off the truck with a L3200 is a terrible idea.

 

[cold1313]

It's a new truck so the tailgate is a PITA to remove. Backup cameras etc.

I'd be using an MX5800 w/ wheel weights and a cutter on the back for counter balance. Given the weight, I want to make sure the forks are quality.

 

[4570Man]

That's definitely more inline for the job. I'd recommend 4000 pound forks. I've got a set of 2000 pound forks, and while they'd probably do the job they're too light. I'd still be afraid your machine isn't big enough. Unloading 1200 pound pallets is all my L3240 ( 400 pounds weaker loader than yours) is good for.