Pallet Forks Weight Rating Question

[Beltzington]

I have been looking to buy pallet forks for 2-years. Since I missed the one good deal I found it seems I might as well bite the bullet and pay $800 from one of TBN sponsors.

Question I have concerns FEL lifting capacity vs. Pallet fork load ratings. For instance: If my FELs maximum lifting capacity is 2100lbs, the forks weigh 300lbs and their maximum load rating is 1800lbs. is there any way I could damage the attachment trying to lift, for example, 3000lbs?

My guess is no because the FEL would never be able to exert more than 1800lbs of force on the load, but I might not be considering everything. TIA

 

[tcartwri]

Your Fel's ratings are usually right up against the pins. As the load moves out on the forks you will lose a large % of lifting power. So I doubt you would be able to break the forks.

 

[cttractor]

Your guess is correct! If your relief valve kicks in when you try to lift more than 2,100 pounds, that's as far as you get. However, please assure that you have adequate ballast. Proper ballast not only allows you to lift your rated FEL capability, it also reduces your chances of tipping when you hit a hole or bump.

 

[Verticaltrx]

One thing to keep in mind is that the lift capacity is rated at max height. At ground level and the lower lift heights your lift capacity is much greater than 2100lbs. I don't know which forks you are considering, but most skid steer type forks are pretty heavy duty and can take a bit more than what they are rated for before you'll have trouble (not that I'd recommend overloading them.)

 

[Beltzington]

I was afraid it wasn't going to be cut-n-dry. I am looking at the lighter weight compact tractor pallet-forks which in theory allow you to maximize your FEL lifting capacity. Those numbers I used in my example are very close to real world figures for my FEL and these fork ratings.

I have looked at the specification diagrams for my JD 300CX FEL and besides them be hard to read (fuzzy picture) the PIN ratings don't help with my actual load question. Maximum 2125lbs @ 1.5 m (59 in.) at Pivot Pin (W)

+1 on the ballast, learned very quickly and fortunately without any damage what happens when the load exceeds the counter balance.

 

[bindian]

Another load no body thinks about until it happens is sticking a fork in the dirt while moving forward in low gears. This can over rate the forks in a heartbeat. Buy quality forks and you won't be giving your welder a sob story.
hugs, Brandi

 

[jmanatee2]

I got these $657 delivered: Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42

I am very happy with them. They only weigh 220lbs and are rated for 1800lbs

I loaded them right up to 1800lbs, actually a little over with 30 60lb bags of concrete plus pallet. It was evenly loaded on the pallet. Forks didnt even blink.

The tractor didn't struggle but I did notice the weight shift. I carried it low to the ground and I was in 4 wheel drive.

Although the tines do not "Lock" in place like some forks. They do not move side to side unless you want them to.

 

[Baby Grand]

Another load no body thinks about until it happens is sticking a fork in the dirt while moving forward in low gears. This can over rate the forks in a heartbeat. Buy quality forks and you won't be giving your welder a sob story.
hugs, Brandi

Along the same lines ... I think you can get in trouble if you hook the fork tips on an "immovable" and try to pry it out by tilting back with the FEL. I'm thinking of stumps/tree roots here. Not sure about that one - maybe someone with some practical experience can comment ....

 

[Beltzington]

Thanks jmanatee2 - those are the same forks I am looking at except the JD QM cost an extra $100. Glad to hear you are happy with them, about how long did they take to ship?

 

[IslandTractor]

For legal reasons and OSHA, forks are rated very conservatively. I cannot imagine breaking a set of 3000lb forks trying to lift something with a tractor FEL rated at 2100lbs. Even accidently dropping the FEL/forks into the ground while traveling and jerking to a stop is more likely to damage the FEL arms or QA than the forks IMO. No way you could damage them trying to dig out roots or stumps as the force exerted by the FEL at the tip of the fork is nowhere near 3000lbs.

I'm sure skid steers and loaders occasionally break forks but I'd have a hard time imagining a medium size CUT breaking a 3000lb capacity fork in almost any circumstance. Certainly there should be no concern with normal use.