Quick Attach Bucket Forks

[Neophyte]

I found this Quick Attach Bucket Fork system on the Gearmore website (see attached). My father made a similar setup for his Case 580K Backhoe.

Are there any other companies on the East coast that make a similar system?

Do any of you out there have a similar setup? If so, how do you like it? Also, where did you purchase yours or did you make your own? Does anyone have any idea what the cost is on this system?

Finally, are there any disadvantages to this system as compared to Clamp-On Bucket Forks or Loader Mounted Forks?

Compared to loader mounted forks, I suppose the obvious disadvantage would be the added weight of keeping the bucket on the loader and also the added distance from the loader pins.
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[bones1]

What holds them steady on the bottom?Seems like they would just flop around.

 

[mudcat]

What holds them steady on the bottom?Seems like they would just flop around.

The weight of the forks is what keeps them from flopping around. Sure with no load on them and rough terrain they will bounce a bit. But not as much as you would think.

 

[VistanTN]

You didn't indicate your loader setup, but I think the "best" option IF you have skid-steer quick attach is a separate set of forks. Even with that setup, I have a hard time seeing where my forks are precisely (not a big deal sometimes, BUT when it's Good-Wyfe's commercial embroidery machine on the pallet ...). The bucket would seem to make that worse if not impossible. Of course, if your just picking up fence posts or brush it wouldn't matter that much. Lift will be reduced because you're out farther from the pivots, but it looks like a pretty simple system. be interested in what others have to say.

 

[CurlyDave]

I think the "best" option IF you have skid-steer quick attach is a separate set of forks.

I completely agree.

The difference in load capacity and visibility is amazing.

If cost is an issue, look for a used set.

Vistan:

If you are lifting your wife's embroidery machine she can help by giving you hand signals.

Of course if she is anything like my wife, you need to get a copy of the standard hand signals for FEL work, and both look at it.

Mine used to have this habbit of making swoopping arm motions, which were all exactly the same, for any motion she wanted me to make...

 

[VistanTN]

If you are lifting your wife's embroidery machine she can help by giving you hand signals.

Of course if she is anything like my wife, you need to get a copy of the standard hand signals for FEL work, and both look at it.

Mine used to have this habbit of making swoopping arm motions, which were all exactly the same, for any motion she wanted me to make...

Are our wives related? Sisters perhaps? Mine adds (to the sweeping, ill-defined arm movement) verbal commands like, "no, a little more" which leaves you wondering (if you heard her at all over the engine noise), "what no" and " a little more what?"

I got the truck driver to give the hand signals -- and while it wasn't perfect FEL signals, it was understandable.

 

[dmartin88]

I have a similar set that I purchased on Ebay for my BX22. They worked fine for the few times I needed them. As others pointed out, the bucket does limit visibility and their lifting capability is limited because of where they attach. Depending on your use, that could be a big issue.

Pretty sure this link is similar to the ones I purchased but don't think I paid quite this much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/TRACTOR-LOADER-...ryZ41488QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Neophyte]

dmartin88, thanks for the link.

I'm still torn between the Quick Attach Bucket Forks and the Quick Attach Loader Forks. I think I have definitely discounted the Clamp-On Bucket Forks. I have used the QA Bucket Forks on a Case 580K and they are OK but visibility is very limited.

The problem is that the JD QA Loader Forks are so expensive. The JD forks that are rated for 3500 lbs cost around $800-$900. The Skid Steer Quick Attach Loader Forks are less expensive but then I would need a conversion coupler to go from JD QA to SS QA. I think these conversion couplers can cost as much as $400. Does anyone have an inexpensive source for these conversion couplers?

By the way, how should fork capacity be rated? Should they be rated by the loader capacity, breakout force or rollback force? I have a JD 3320 with 300CX FEL. Roughly, the lift capacity is 2200 lbs, breakout force is 3400 lb/ft and rollback force is 3100 lb/ft. My guess would be that I want my forks to be rated for at least 3500 lbs.

 

[dfkrug]

Mine used to have this habbit of making swoopping arm motions, which were all exactly the same, for any motion she wanted me to make...

That's funny....and oh so true.

As for forks, I fabbed up some bucket-hanging forks years ago, and they
worked OK, except for all the stuff I damaged by not seeing what I am
doing. The weight holds them down fine, if the tines are heavy (they were).

I also considered the clamp-on forks, but they are invisible, too, and they
damage the carcass of your bucket. $350 seems high, too. Then I
considered the factory-made adjustable pallet forks that pin on in place
of your loader bucket. $650-800 and man were they heavy! I briefly
considered the QA style, but they are even heavier and further restrict
lifting capacity by sticking further out front.

So I fabbed up a non-adjustable fork frame that pins on in place of my
bucket and weighs only about 200-250 lb. It is very strong and uses
commercial 1.75" thick tines that I have had cut down to 3" width.
These have worked extremely well on my Kioti CK30 and the previous
units I built for my Kubotas L2550 and L2500. This photo is of one I did
for a Kubota.

 

[AlanB]

Reading along, and thinking about it, I want something for the front of mine as well. It may be a dead loss as I continue to loose capacity as I hang more to the front, and add weight and decrease leverage, but I had the idea today that I will take the old pallet jack that I have and was thinking of doing something for the three point with, and I will cut all the extraneous parts off from it. Then I think I will weld a coulumn of some form to the top, and then make a hoop welded to the very top.

I have a 2 5/16" ball welded to the top of my reinforced bucket to move my gooseneck with.

The thought would be that I could curl the bucket forward, so the hitch on my bucket would be a little lower and pointed forward, then drive into the pallet forks with the "hoop" on the back, hooking the "hoop" with my trailer ball, then curl back, lifting and securing the pallet jack "forks". Might add a little ledge on the back to catch the top of the bottom of the bucket.

Not sure if it all makes sense trying to explain it, but I can picture it working, now I just have to execute.

I just wonder if it will be the 2nd or 3rd thing that my wife tries to pick up with it that will overload it.