MossRoad
Super Moderator
- Joined
- Aug 31, 2001
- Messages
- 60,184
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
I obtained a free forklift load backrest the other day. There were two to choose from. One was just flat steel on edge for the total construction. The one I took is angle all the way around and flat steel on edge just in the middle.
First choice: forklift load backrest for my pallet forks. I've often had loads come back towards me, so this one would be obvious.
Second choice: cut off the long legs, rotate them forward 90 degrees, weld them back on, put a quick attach plate on it, and make it into firewood log forks. The PT pallet forks are almost too narrow for carrying long firewood logs. Unless you balance them just perfectly, they tip off to one side or the other easily when you corner at a high rate of speed. This thing is about 42" wide. Almost double the current PT factory pallet forks. The long legs are about 18-20". Just right for the telephone pole sized trees I harvest for firewood.
Third choice: winch stand and anchor. I could see putting a winch behind this, some pulleys and a fairlead, putting a pointed end on each leg, and being able to force the legs into our sandy soil with the down-pressure of the FEL to anchor it for some pretty substantial pulls out of the small machine. I could also put a plate at the bottom to winch a log onto so I could drag it with the end off the ground. However, I'm not sure I need a winch at this point in my life. As all of you PT owners already know, if you can walk up to a log in your woods, you can probably drive your PT up to it (especially the smaller 400 series units). The few snags or hangs that I've had to deal with, I've been able to put a really long cable on and safely drag the tree down with either the PT or our Suburban and not get anywhere near it. So this choice, while it seems Tim Taylor would approve, is probably my last choice.
I'm leaning towards the firewood log forks. I could always add a winch to it later if needed and still have it functional as forks.
Any other suggestions will be happily entertained! :laughing:
First choice: forklift load backrest for my pallet forks. I've often had loads come back towards me, so this one would be obvious.
Second choice: cut off the long legs, rotate them forward 90 degrees, weld them back on, put a quick attach plate on it, and make it into firewood log forks. The PT pallet forks are almost too narrow for carrying long firewood logs. Unless you balance them just perfectly, they tip off to one side or the other easily when you corner at a high rate of speed. This thing is about 42" wide. Almost double the current PT factory pallet forks. The long legs are about 18-20". Just right for the telephone pole sized trees I harvest for firewood.
Third choice: winch stand and anchor. I could see putting a winch behind this, some pulleys and a fairlead, putting a pointed end on each leg, and being able to force the legs into our sandy soil with the down-pressure of the FEL to anchor it for some pretty substantial pulls out of the small machine. I could also put a plate at the bottom to winch a log onto so I could drag it with the end off the ground. However, I'm not sure I need a winch at this point in my life. As all of you PT owners already know, if you can walk up to a log in your woods, you can probably drive your PT up to it (especially the smaller 400 series units). The few snags or hangs that I've had to deal with, I've been able to put a really long cable on and safely drag the tree down with either the PT or our Suburban and not get anywhere near it. So this choice, while it seems Tim Taylor would approve, is probably my last choice.
I'm leaning towards the firewood log forks. I could always add a winch to it later if needed and still have it functional as forks.
Any other suggestions will be happily entertained! :laughing:
