Building a set of forks and need some idea's.

[lzicc]

I was just about to purchase some quick attach forks when I got these used forks from work from a fork lift. I need some idea or pictures of people that built their own forks. I don't have any metal, so I would have to buy some along with a quick attach plate.

 

[BHD]

basically the same type of forks I have on the tractor,

I made a frame and on the frame there is a spacer, and on that spacer is a lip with notches that the top "hook" sets on, the notches are about 4 inches apart, (the pin in the top locks in to keep them from sliding, the back of the frame are quick connects on it,

basically copied the same as the top for the bottom but with out the notches, leave some tolerance in them or they will not slide, (to slide my forks I tilt them down and let them hand mostly on the top lip and they will side a lot easier, I will see if I can get a picture here and post it,

by clearance or tolerance, what I mean is look at the pictures of the forks on the top of the slide bar, there setting on the ground and the loader is all the way down, there is about 1/4" of movement up and down if tighter it will make it very hard to move or slide them as they will rack some and lock tight.

I had the old plow and used it frame to make the frame, I would think in a lighter duty loader one could use a heavy wall tubing if you have solid use it, (most all fork lifts have solid frames the forks attaché to),

If you look from the front you will see a notch the width of the fork, it make put them on the frame easy, hook on the top and let swing down and slide side ways. if one try's from the end it is a lot of effort,

sorry not letting me post my pictures for some reason, I will try again

 

[seaneastok]

Same forks I have also. I built my set way too heavy, part intentional (I hate bending/breaking things),part because I used the material I had on hand. I built mine more as a skytrak model because I needed the wide span for moving 20-25 foot structural steel. In fact ,I mounted them to the tractor for final mock up and testing before I actually "finished them" and have been using them so much that they still aren't "finished" lol. I still need to finish some welds and paint it but they work. I'll see if I still have some pictures of the fabrication process..

 

[LD1]

Would have been nice to get carrier with it, then it would be just mocking up a QA to it.

While I am not much help, and without knowing your skills (fabrication) I think you might just spend more money trying to make something vs buying.

Everythingattachments has QA pallet forks for ~$650. Not sure if the forks you have are the same as theirs, or will fit their carriage or not, but might be worth asking them if they would sell just the carriage without the forks?

 

[BHD]

Plan B for the pictures

Note the notch in the bottom in the middle


you can see the solid iron and the 1/2" flat I sued for rail/track


note the clearance in the rails to the forks

 

[lzicc]

Thanks for the Pics. I am starting to think of what LD1 said. I have the tools to fabricate this, but the price in the steel may just be as much as buying already made ones.

 

[Xfaxman]

A lot of places sell just the frame.

New Skidsteer Pallet Fork Frame skid steer loader attachment kubota (FRLDNS)

Tractor Loader Pallet Forks: the MultiMax

Industrial forks come in specific sizes, so measure the distance between the mounting flanges.

Forklift fork measurement

 

[PILOON]

Why not simply weld a flat plate across the top front of your bucket to hang the forks on?
Maybe even make a couple of notches to retain spacing. Should work.

 

[oldtimer 66]

I made this for a friend several years ago. He had the forks and some old material. I just put the stuff together. I did not paint it because I was tired of working on it. The old material needed ground and rattled before I could weld it. He purchased the JD mounting hardware. Next time all new material. If I remember correctly the dove tale for the forks is 22.5 degrees. Maybe you can get some ideas on how to approach this project after seeing these pictures Keep everything level, because the last thing you want it to have each of the fork tips at different heights say 4 or 5 inches off. Just a note when I wanted a set of forks I just went out and bought them. About $820 plus tax. I posted this before but I do not know how to copy the link into the post. Later. Wrong again on the dove tail it should be 22 deg Thanks to Xfatman

 

[kneedeep]

Thanks for the Pics. I am starting to think of what LD1 said. I have the tools to fabricate this, but the price in the steel may just be as much as buying already made ones.

Maybe not, I paid $600 for my OEM forks to hook on the QH already on loader.

Just some examples Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements.

 

[lzicc]

I didn't know I could buy just the frame and using my Forks. That would still save me some money.

 

[ishiboo]

You can also buy just the carriage bars and build your own frame.

1/2" Thick Pair of Pallet Fork Carraige Bars

 

[lzicc]

I got my Pallet Fork Frame in last week and put the forks on it. Works great. Thanks for the suggestions. This saved me some money.

 

[Xfaxman]

I got my Pallet Fork Frame in last week and put the forks on it. Works great. Thanks for the suggestions. This saved me some money.

:thumbsup: