Pallet forks, hay spears and the rest

[BurningBushFarm]

Hey -- Curious here.

I have been looking at previous threads concerning pallet forks & hay spears.

We will be looking to move 4x4 round bales (~400lbs - 500 lbs?)

1. Pros and cons - bucket pallet forks -- clamp on or chain on?
2. Pallet forks - 3 pt on adaptor versus bucket forks.

Our thinking so far:

We have 5' bucket on the YM2000D. Chain type "blocks" bucket, but distributes weight more widely than bucket forks. (Clamp on puts weight on lower bucket alone?)

Hadn't seriously thought about rear forks.

I picked up a used quick hitch, but am missing something on the top (No hook? Do I need the Harbor Freight yoke thing?) So haven't even got it mounted yet.

We have the bush hog on the back to counter the weight off the front if we go for bucket forks.

Your thoughts, gentlemen?

 

[winston1]

In my opinion you need the hitch adapter shown in this manual. http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/97000-97999/97214.pdf If you or husband welds you could make your own. That is what I did. No worth while opinion or forks.

 

[BurningBushFarm]

Re the hitch adapter --

Saw that in one of your previous comments on another thread, Winston. Thanks.

We are missing the bolts and the hook also. Nothing critical. But since the hay will be cut sometime soon if it will STOP RAINING every afternoon, I am on the hunt for the pallet forks.

Another plus on bucket forks is that I figure it will make it easier to stack the hay also.

Back to the hitch -- I notice there is no part number in the manual. Mmm. Will take it in when I get there. Somebody -- California? Has some good pictures of his implements with the quick hitch one quick hitch threads.

 

[winston1]

Don't guess it will do you any good but here is a picture of my Harbor Freight quick hitch with home made adapter.

 

[California]

Re the hitch adapter --

We are missing the bolts and the hook also. ...

Another plus on bucket forks is that I figure it will make it easier to stack the hay also.

Back to the hitch -- I notice there is no part number in the manual. Mmm. Will take it in when I get there. Somebody -- California? Has some good pictures of his implements with the quick hitch

The QH top adapter part# isn't published. Phone HF customer service to order. Should be under $20 including shipping.

I don't know if you can get a replacement top hook too, but HF is pretty good about providing replacement parts. If you need to have a hook made locally, space the hook back farther from where it bolts on. With HF's design some implements jam against the QH chassis before the hook is fully engaged.

For high-production bale moving why not put forks on both front and rear? My neighbor who harvests the apples here carries 3/4 ton harvest bins at both ends. And he uses his forks to stack bins double height before lifting them on to his truck. This needs a third bin on back for counterbalance.

 

[boggen]

pallet forks on the front i would say skip the bucket mounted, and take bucket off and put pallet forks directly connected to FEL. forks mounted to bucket extend weight further out in front. and can cause tractor to more quickly teter totor on front axle. if ya go this route i would say go with a bail spear pallet forks. ((has 3rd short poker in middle and a little higher than the lower side forks.))

3pt hitch bail spear or bail fork, or pallet forks. is always good to get as well.

being able to first reverse into a bail to get rear counter weight. and then drive into another bail on the front. can help keep the tractor balance. and if ya not trailing the bails out some place far and can just tractor them. it can save some decent time.

the stacking of bails can be rather risky / dangerous. and suggest no sharp turns when you need to raise the bail and place it up on others. do your turning and like with FEL low to ground and then go straight in and slowly raise bail. having rear bail on 3pt hitch again. helps with counter weight. the bails can get rather heavy quick, when they are wet / fresh cut.

 

[Neat 1500]

i have a 1500 and it lifts the rear off the ground trying to pick up 5' round bale( i have tyres ballasted and slasher still attached also). i am planning on making a 4' carry all so i can cart these and other things around the property. i initially thought it would lift it no worries with the clamp on forks but it is way too heavy. the 3 point shouldnt have a problem lifting them.........i hope

 

[clemsonfor]

Im thinking the bales on the FEL esp with clamp ons and not a spear mounted with bucket detached will be to heavy even with your light duty KK bushhog on back. I would either get both end spears or just the rear spear.

 

[grainger12002]

it will probably work better off the 3point as other have mentioned. You might be able to stack w the loader and not have to actually lift the entire bale. The rear carrier is much safer on a smaller tractor,just a tought

 

[Car Doc]

I have a medium duty set of clamp on forks and I like them a lot for moving light things like a brush pile or a light pallet they go on and off real easy and have been a back saver for sure.

They are no good for even close to what they are rated at the hydraulics would do it no problem but your bucket would look like a pretzel in no time.

The ones that have a chain over the top of the bucket would be a lot better than the straight clamp-on types imo.

Maybe the 3 pt hay spear is a better solution I dont know.