Fork attachment build.

[Shield Arc]

Building another fork attachment, this one is for my brother-n-law. I won't be going back to his place until next spring, so I have all the time in the world to finish it.:laughing:
It's the same design as mine, just a little bigger.
Tomorrow I'll weld up the taper to the tip of the forks. Then drill holes in the tips, and weld a piece of pipe in the holes.
This is all I have done so far.

 

[boomer1025]

You know for some one who just started welding a couple of weeks ago, you sure are taking on some big projects

 

[Shield Arc]

Isn't that how you learn, jump right in with both feet?:laughing:

 

[dntfxr]

Looks nice! What size tubing do you use for the forks? Do they seem plenty stout?

 

[Shield Arc]

2" x 4" - 1/4" wall rectangular tubing.
The FEL on my tractor will pick 1,300-pounds. I've had rigging and shackles in the holes in the tips of the forks, and stalled the loader. I use the forks mostly to move my engine drive welders around.

 

[dntfxr]

Looks perfect for your setup. I've been kicking around adding some forks to my hay spear attachment, or I may just build from scratch similar to yours. I'm always thinking of a use for pallet forks around here.

 

[Shield Arc]

The local feed store gives their pallets away. So I have a lot of things setting on pallets. With the quick release FEL makes it easy to change attachments. A good friend of mine has a Kubota tractor, but no quick release. I've been begging him for years to bring his tractor over so I could build him a quick release. He just doesn't see the need!

 

[Shield Arc]

This mornings progress.

 

[Rustyiron]

Love those big C clamps!
And of course your forks are:thumbsup:

 

[Shield Arc]

Oh a guy can never have to many clamps.

 

[Big Barn]

When I built my 4 fork ( double pallet) lifter I cut the angle off the fork tips and welded in a piece of flat bar. Boy do feel dumb now!!

Nice work! I like those clamps too. Never seen any like that before. But then I'm only 64 years old.

Terry

 

[Big Barn]

Oh a guy can never have to many clamps.

SA you need one of these 4 or 8 point ratchet handles for those clamps.

Terry

 

[Rustyiron]

Oh a guy can never have to many clamps.

Ahmen brother, and that's where I hang mine too!

 

[Shield Arc]

Terry I wouldn't know what to do with such a fancy tool.
Back in my working days, I carried in my rigging belt a claw hammer, (to beat on shackle pins) side cutter pliers, Crescent wrench, and tape measure.

 

[BigBoyToys]

Nice quality work! I love watching fab jobs. :hyper:
A set of bucket forks will be one of my winter welding projects.

 

[Shield Arc]

A set of bucket forks will be one of my winter welding projects.

I changed my mind today. I cut the forks back apart. Going to the metal yard tomorrow morning. I'm going to insert some 3/8" or 1/2" x 1 1/2" flat bar inside the box tube. My brother-n-law's tractor is much bigger than mine. So I think it's a good idea to beef up his forks.

 

[Big Barn]

Good call. The temptation is always there to pick something up just using the tips of the forks.
Never had a problem with my 2x4x1/4" sq tubes because the 4 ft forks had to be TOTALLY inserted into the pallets or else the pallet would break. Turf pallets have no bottom boards. Just runners and top boards.

Terry

 

[dstig1]

I know you only just started welding but still why not just buy forged forks? They aren't that expensive. Then make the adapter plate for the quick attach or whatever.

 

[4570Man]

Send me those forks for proper testing. If I can't bend them they are certified tough.

 

[Shield Arc]

I know you only just started welding but still why not just buy forged forks? They aren't that expensive. Then make the adapter plate for the quick attach or whatever.

Few years ago I bought a set of warehouse forklift T-1 forks off Craigs list, to replace the box tube forks on my fork attachment. Just waiting until I damage the box tube forks, or they rust out.