Can these be extended?

[jodebg]

Came by a set of forks for sale.

My questions are can they be extended to 36-42"
and will they be strong enough to use on the FEL
and 3 ph with a max lift capacity of 1700 lbs.

If so, any suggestions as to material to weld on to extend?

My questions are regarding the forks. The brackets
I will need to cut and reconfigure.

These were used on a Bolens tractor. They fit onto a plow and
were used to move materials.

The forks are 3" wide and the upright bracket is 1/2" thick.

 

[Sprinklerman]

It would be cheaper to buy a set

 

[Industrial Toys]

Around here you can buy "condemmed" forks for a hundred bucks. Usually someone drilled a hole in them and that is a no-no. A hundred bucks doesn't go very far in material and labour to extend them.

 

[farm boy00]

Came by a set of forks for sale.<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/customization/437699-can-these-extended-bolens-pallet-forks-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/customization/437700-can-these-extended-underarm-jpg"/>

My questions are can they be extended to 36-42"
and will they be strong enough to use on the FEL
and 3 ph with a max lift capacity of 1700 lbs.

If so, any suggestions as to material to weld on to extend?

My questions are regarding the forks. The brackets
I will need to cut and reconfigure.

These were used on a Bolens tractor. They fit onto a plow and
were used to move materials.

The forks are 3" wide and the upright bracket is 1/2" thick.

Bolens??? I never knew they made bigger then garden tractors

 

[Mysfyt]

Can they be extended? Yes. Will they handle 1700 lbs? Absolutely not! The half inch plate that those C channels are welded to will bend with that kind of leverage on them.

 

[Gary Fowler]

That looks like some kind of cast product. I wouldn't trust it to pick up 1700# as is. I have never seen forks made from anything other than solid hardened steel.
Don't trust those things with any thing valuable till you load test them and don't let anyone or thing get underneath a load with those cast forks.

 

[yomax4]

If you do extend them. You may want to put heavier channel over the top of the whole fork and then beyond. Weld it in that way. I wouldn't do it end to end that's for sure.

 

[jodebg]

Thanks for the information.
I am not going to purchase these.
Thanks again.

 

[Jim Timber]

Around here you can buy "condemmed" forks for a hundred bucks. Usually someone drilled a hole in them and that is a no-no. A hundred bucks doesn't go very far in material and labour to extend them.

I got lucky and found a pair that were just phased out in the middle of a yard full of nearly worthless junk that'd been bottom dragged well beyond the 10% limit for de-rating. Bottom paint was hardly scratched! $100 just the same.

 

[4570Man]

Those forks look like cast iron. Their design looks to be poor all around. I would keep looking.