Forks 3 pt or FEL pallet forks

   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #1  

project

Bronze Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2006
Messages
81
Location
Northern CA
any thoughts on the use of pallet forks attached to the 3 pt. or FEL? which do you find more useful? Would appreciate any recommendations (for lite duty use ) on how much to spend for a pair. Ebay has them from $60 to $600. Thanks
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #2  
project said:
any thoughts on the use of pallet forks attached to the 3 pt. or FEL? which do you find more useful? Would appreciate any recommendations (for lite duty use ) on how much to spend for a pair. Ebay has them from $60 to $600. Thanks

Here's some pros and cons for both configurations:

3pt Forks
-greater overall lift capacity, yet lower lift height
-you can have your FEL bucket or front mount blower on at the same time
(i do this so I can lift pallets of firewood during the winter without having to remove my blower to install my FEL)
-you'll need a hydraulic top link with 3pt forks, when the ground is unlevel you'll know why you need it.

FEL Forks
-higher lift height, but lower weight capacity
-no need for extra plumbing, obviously the FEL has lift and tilt already

I think it's up to the individual and what suites your applications best.
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #3  
One huge difference is whether you look forward or are constantly looking over your shoulder. I would hate to try to get a load out of the back of a pickup with the 3pt version and not be damaging the truck. That is assuming it would even lift high enough to reach the bed of a late model pickup.

If all you will ever do is lift a pallet 2 feet and move it around a level yard, then the 3Pt will be fine. However, if you are planning on going up or down even slight inclines, you definitely need the FEL version so you can tilt the load to compensate for the sloping ground. A pallet falling off the back 3PT would not be good.
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #4  
Agree that FEL forks are handiest. They were my first project. I also made a set of 3PH forks for moving 700# pallets of pipe. The ground does not have to be level nor do you need a hydro top link. The ground only need to be constant slope in the area you put the pallet and you adj the top link so the forks are level when the tractor is level. Obviously, range of movement and off camber situations, etc could require a hydro top link and/or side link.
Cheers!
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #5  
The responses already made bring up excellent points. One thing I would point out is that the 3pt lift capacity will probably be close to DOUBLE the FEL lift capacity for most any small/medium tractor (most anything under 35 to 40hp) so if capacity it critical then the 3pt forks are the better choice.

If capacity is not the critical issue, but lift height is, then the clear choice is the FEL fork.

I have 3pt forks and for moving pallets around or for unloading pallets from a trailer they work great. I've run across many pallets (limestone slabs) where I could not lift them with the 3pt without unloading them part way by hand, so for me, FEL forks would never work because I lift pallets that are simply over the capacity of what the FEL could manage. I would suggest you seriously consider your needs. Let your needs make your choice.
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #6  
I faced this dilemma and went for both - I bought a set of 3 point forks off of ebay for $90 or so and then bought the bracketry to fit my 430 loader quick attach. Some steel and welding later, tadaa!

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71282

In general, I've found that I use the FEL 95% of the time. With the quick attach, it takes only a minute to take the pins out and switch. The only recent time I've used the 3pt was when I was moving a large square bale of hay. I was going up a slight incline and hit the go pedal - popped a wheelie! No loader attached, I was a little heavy on the back end...

LAXPatrick
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #7  
I did not have a FEL at first, so I made a set for 3pt. Later when I got the FEL I converted them to bobtatch. When I needed to lift a lot I missed the 3pt capacity so I took them back home and adapted them to fit the Speeco. Now they are bobtatch for the front, and fit the Speeco for the rear.

My forks stay on the tractor FEL more than the FEL bucket. With brush bars they carry a lot of limbs. When they are on the back I carry a full 300 gallon water tote for the trees.

You work hard and deserve the best. Go dor double duty. It takes just a little more time to figure out the welding.
 

Attachments

  • KOLIBA FORKS DIAGONAL.jpg
    KOLIBA FORKS DIAGONAL.jpg
    70.3 KB · Views: 426
  • IMG_7072 sm.jpg
    IMG_7072 sm.jpg
    30.6 KB · Views: 590
  • IMG_7068 SM.jpg
    IMG_7068 SM.jpg
    81.7 KB · Views: 314
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #8  
JRP said:
Now they are bobtatch for the front, and fit the Speeco for the rear.
Another great idea from TBN. Does any company out there make a double duty set of forks that are both JD Quik-Change Attach and iMatch compatible? Does any company out there make one for Skid Steer Attach and iMatch?
 
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #9  
I was looking on the ATI website and found this product. It adapts universal-mount quick attach (skid steer) attachments to a 3-point hitch. This adapter is pretty slick since it would allow you to use any universal-mount quick attach attachment on your 3-point hitch.

Anyone know the cost on this?
 

Attachments

  • qa-3ph.JPG
    qa-3ph.JPG
    54.6 KB · Views: 420
   / 3 pt or FEL pallet forks #10  
I recently made a set of FEL pallet forks to move hay bales mainly. The main concern was to be able to lift the bales high enough as the stack grew. Weight is not a great concern as only lifting 4 to 6 bales at a time ( likely only around 350 lbs. ). I would not attempt to lift a lot of weight very high with a compact tractor.

The pallet forks I made clamp onto the FEL. This worked very good since I had to off set the forks to one side so I could get in close enough to the stack. Also I don't have to take off the bucket. It only takes about 10 mintues to put the forks on. The one thing I did add was uprights to stop the bales from tipping backwards onto the tractor. Not a great thing with a fiberglass hood.

They cost me less than $90 ($80 US) for material. I couldn't find anything less than $1,000 around here.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0571.JPG
    IMG_0571.JPG
    648.1 KB · Views: 306
 
 
Top