I have 3ph pallet forks with a hydraulic top link for carriage tilt. They are expensive, but only a little more than decent loader forks. I went with the 3ph forks because I'm using the tractor for material handling while we demolish and rebuild. I think the 3ph forks are a little better at material handling than loader forks, and I can also use the loader at the same time.
I think I've mentioned some of the advantages of 3ph forks awhile back. Generally, they lift in a true vertical, while loader forks lift in an arc. With loader forks, you have to pull a stack that is against a wall back before it can be lifted. If you forget, you break the wall or upset the stack. The vertical lift also keeps the load at the same angle while lifting. I don't think loaders, even with self-leveling, are good enough to keep the load at the same angle, and curl adjustments may be needed during a lift to the a stack from tipping.
The vertical lift and perpendicular forks make picking pallets off truck beds easy, and you don't have to worry about smashing your radiator. I haven't used loader forks, but I suspect picking things off truck beds is less easy because the angles distances of things change during the lift.
3ph forks also have a true backrest. Loads can be tilted against the rest for more stability. With a backrest, there's always a steel frame between the load and me. There are two frames that telescope out with the lift. Even if I lift the max 6.5', there's still 5' of frame above the load. Lift a tall stack high with loader forks and there's nothing much between the load and the front of the tractor.
On the negative side, 3ph forks are not easy to get on and off. Mine weighs 600# and folds flat when off the tractor. The frame, too heavy for me, has to be raised vertical to connect the top link. I do it with a come-along. In addition, the weight of the forks plus any load is carried behind the 3ph arms. That much weight behind the 3ph arms substantially reduces the 3ph lift capacity--even with a loader bucket of gravel. I still think I can lift heavier loads safely with 3ph forks than I could with loader forks, but the safe load is not as much as I first thought.
I don't suppose that 3ph forks are for everybody, but I'm happy they're what I got. Today is one of those days where I'm going to use the forks and loader alternately. I'm happy I won't be changing things throughout the day.
