attachment question

[quackaddict]

I'm trying to decide if I should get a 3pt carry-all or some clamp-on/chain-on bucket forks. They are all pretty much the same price, I just don't know which would be a better buy. I won't be carrying a whole lot of weight...fence posts, a railroad tie or two, landscaping timbers, etc. I know that I would get a higher lifting capacity with the carry-all, but you don't have the tilt what you would with bucket forks. Any suggestions? Going on a B2920 BTW.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't know anything about the 3pt carry all but I have the chain on front forks. They are very handy. Guess there are plus's and minus's for either. I prefer looking ahead as I pick stuff up and seeing it in front of me. Also if you want to lift some thing off the back of a truck then only the forks would work. I believe the height lifting, looking forward instead of backwards plus tilt would push me to forks which is the choice I made. Here are a few pictures of uses for front forks. They are one of the handiest all around implements I own.

 

[gwdixon]

A carry-all doesn't seem to have the heavier metal construction that you might need. As pointed out, it is also less versatile.

I have a "carry-all" that is actually a couple of forks on a 3 PH frame that is very heavy duty - rated at 2000 pounds. Haven't seen them lately in farm supply stores or at dealers.

If you can pick up some used forks at a forklift repair place then you will have a good start. A welding shop can easily fabricate a set for you if you don't do welding.

I have made a couple of sets that work very well. The last set was using channel iron. Four forks were made so it could also be used as brush forks. (See first and fourth photo.)

You can also opt to have both the carry-all and the forks. That makes having a counterweight quite easy.

 

[quackaddict]

Thanks for the pictures. I was leaning towards the forks anyway, but these pretty much settled it for me.

JT- did you get your forks from yankee wearhouse by any chance?

 

[savageactor7]

quackaddict here's something for smaller projects.

I cobbled up this in less than 30min. The best thing about it is that you can hold your breath in the amt of time it takes mounting/dismounting. It just slides on.

here a set up for winter wood cutting and weight holder.

Here's a summer set up that allows the carrying if long handled tools ...freeing up your bucket.

forgot why I took this photo but the key to quick on/off and being held secure are 2 the slots cut into the left side of the board. Those slots slip into the 2 perpendicular flanges on each side of the PTO. Note the 2x4 right around the 8" tape marker. Make sure the 3PH is up all the way before you mark it's placement otherwise it'll be crushed.

In all the years I've used this nothing has fallen out but we're on level ground here. It's main advantage is that you can use the bucket and carry tools at the same time.

 

[quackaddict]

savage, that is a danged cool little contraption you've got there. I might have to make me one of those for sure.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks for the pictures. I was leaning towards the forks anyway, but these pretty much settled it for me.

JT- did you get your forks from yankee wearhouse by any chance?

Bought them from Barlows. During a visit it was buy another tractor or buy forks so I bought forks. No, really I had forks that used the SSQA on my L3240 and when I traded the L3240 to the B3200 I traded my old forks to these. Already had enough tractors anyway. Forks are really handy for general around the yard/lot/acreage tasks. Lifted a refridgerator off the back of a truck once. Moved a bunch of water/mud logged hay bales for my nephew once, he'd push them onto my forks with his BX2360 and then I'd haul them off. I also use them to push big rocks around my property. Lift under one edge and then push when they are to heavy to lift. Ets, etc, etc....

 

[newbury]

They are all pretty much the same price,

Depends a LOT on what you call the price, I've seen FEL Pallet forks going for $300 plus delivery, 3pt for more.
The yankeewarehouse look like about the least expensive ($130) FEL PF's before shipping.
I just bought a 3pt pallet fork, 2,000lb cap, class 1 from AgriSupply. They would have been $250 delivered, they were $150 at the store, and I had to go about 30 miles out of my way. But I definitely wanted the extra lift capacity from my 3pt (Lift capacity at lift point 1356lb) versus my FEL since I'm planning on lifting logs and I wanted to look at them before I bought them.

 

[DHD]

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

I've got one of these only because I didn't have a FEL on my B7800 at the time.
It's made from 3x3x1/4 angle iron and I'll lift all that my tractor can manage.
I still use my Carry-all but now that I have my FEL I would really like to have some front forks too.
I don't have a hyd. top link on my 3-point, so once the Carry-All is loaded, I don't have much control in curling the forks, so loading and unloading at different heights is sometimes difficult if not impossible, and I believe my lift height limit is under 2 feet.
I've been considering getting another carry-all, adding loader mounts, making it a loader attachment, which should increase my lift capacity, over bucket forks.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

I've got one of these only because I didn't have a FEL on my B7800 at the time.
It's made from 3x3x1/4 angle iron and I'll lift all that my tractor can manage.
I still use my Carry-all but now that I have my FEL I would really like to have some front forks too.
I don't have a hyd. top link on my 3-point, so once the Carry-All is loaded, I don't have much control in curling the forks, so loading and unloading at different heights is sometimes difficult if not impossible, and I believe my lift height limit is under 2 feet.
I've been considering getting another carry-all, adding loader mounts, making it a loader attachment, which should increase my lift capacity, over bucket forks.

Sounds like a plan if being able to adjust forks closer or wider doesn't matter. For me the ability to adjust widths has been more important than increased weight lifting.