Forks Pallet forks - opinions on size

[SuperCobra]

I have a CK30 and 48" pallet forks that I bought in the RB auction this spring. I was going for 42" forks, but ended up winning on 48" instead. I'd say either are fine and the weight difference between the two won't be noticed in lift capacity. It's also easier to see the end of the 48" forks since they stick out a little more. I disagree with IT that you've got a real world capacity of 500lbs, I've lifted logs that are at least 800lbs and pallets of stacked firewood that must be close to 1000lbs. The tractor will lift a cord of wet stacked hard wood on a pallet, but will not curl it.

When I look into my crystal ball, I see bigger tractor tires for some reason, shhhh don't tell my wife, I'm just buying another Kioti and playing dumb if she notices a difference :thumbsup:. If that's a possibility for you, any small price difference now will make sense to have something more suitable later.

Can you really stack a cord of wood on a pallet? How? I have trouble getting 1/3 of a cord to stay on while moving.

 

[kiotiken]

Can you really stack a cord of wood on a pallet? How? I have trouble getting 1/3 of a cord to stay on while moving.

I went and got a LOT of pallets from a store that's always got a sign saying free pallets. The good ones I use as a base, the bad ones I dis-assemble. I use the stringers as uprights, one per corner, and the decking as braces. That gives me a box that holds two rows of wood, 4' long by 4' high or exactly 1 face cord of wood.

I'm getting a little tired of all the work, so I'm looking for a source of pallet wrap that is basically a roll of plastic mesh. I'm thinking once I get it stacked a certain height, wrap it and keep going.

 

[magicheater]

firewood weight info. Scroll down for a great chart on the subject. A face cord is 1/3 of a full cord.

 

[dustinfox]

I would have to agree, The forks I use weigh 110#. The loader is an LA402. The pallet full of pavers (5 rows of 20) in the photos weighed 850#. I weighed a brick to calculate, 8.5# a piece. I put them out to the end of the forks as a test. It did begin to stall as I got more than 5' off the ground but for what I was doing it was fine. That just told me I was near the limit of my loader. I don't dig with my forks as they are designed to lift. I have PLENTY of other stuff that does that.

Do you mind me asking where you got those forks? (Or who makes them?) One thing that could make a difference is that I have been looking at a couple of spade type tools that can be attached to forks for digging. I'm guessing this might make a difference in my decision?

 

[grsthegreat]

I went with the 42" set of forks myself after measuring some pallets and talking to others that have forks. There was a $300 difference in price.

So far i haven't found anything i couldn't lift.

 

[kiotiken]

firewood weight info. Scroll down for a great chart on the subject. A face cord is 1/3 of a full cord.

Great chart, thanks. The wood they delivered was all maple in 8 foot lengths, but had been cut the previous year. The chart says 3840 - 4940 lbs for green, 2350 - 3000 lbs for dry, so I'll guess I'm on the very low end of green wood or high end of dry wood. 3000 lbs / 3 makes sens to me since I didn't have any trouble lifting it 12" off the ground, but couldn't curl it at all.

 

[IslandTractor]

Great chart, thanks. The wood they delivered was all maple in 8 foot lengths, but had been cut the previous year. The chart says 3840 - 4940 lbs for green, 2350 - 3000 lbs for dry, so I'll guess I'm on the very low end of green wood or high end of dry wood. 3000 lbs / 3 makes sens to me since I didn't have any trouble lifting it 12" off the ground, but couldn't curl it at all.

Odd that you could lift but not curl. Usually curl is stronger than lift. When you "lifted" were you really "breaking out" (lift and curl simultaneously)???

 

[kiotiken]

Odd that you could lift but not curl. Usually curl is stronger than lift. When you "lifted" were you really "breaking out" (lift and curl simultaneously)???

No, not an inch of curl, just lift. It doesn't surprise me that much, I was within the lift capacity I would expect at that height, but there's a lot of leverage out 4' from the PP working against being able to curl.

 

[IslandTractor]

No, not an inch of curl, just lift. It doesn't surprise me that much, I was within the lift capacity I would expect at that height, but there's a lot of leverage out 4' from the PP working against being able to curl.

That same leverage is working against lift too.:confused2:

 

[SPYDERLK]

firewood weight info. Scroll down for a great chart on the subject. A face cord is 1/3 of a full cord.

Thanks for presenting reality. A cord is volume - and could be construed as stack volume including airspace. A "face" cord is an area with no defined cut length. The amount of wood in a face cord is a fantasy owed to manipulative marketing.
larry

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks for presenting reality. A cord is volume - and could be construed as stack volume including airspace. A "face" cord is an area with no defined cut length. The amount of wood in a face cord is a fantasy owed to manipulative marketing.
larry

That may be the reality, I agree, but a face cord is supposed to be 16" wide X 4' high X 8' long. 3 16" widths is 4' and that is the width of a full cord.

 

[IslandTractor]

That may be the reality, I agree, but a face cord is supposed to be 16" wide X 4' high X 8' long. 3 16" widths is 4' and that is the width of a full cord.

However, as Larry points out, a "face cord" is whatever size pile of wood the guy with the dump truck leaves in your driveway after taking your money.

 

[magicheater]

Thanks for presenting reality. A cord is volume - and could be construed as stack volume including airspace. A "face" cord is an area with no defined cut length. The amount of wood in a face cord is a fantasy owed to manipulative marketing.
larry

You Bet

That may be the reality, I agree, but a face cord is supposed to be 16" wide X 4' high X 8' long. 3 16" widths is 4' and that is the width of a full cord.

That is the "unsaid" understanding in the world that Larry eluded to.

I used to sell firewood, I used a 5' x8' dump trailer. To let my customers know that they were getting a full cord I did the math for them. Full cord= 48 x 48 x96=221184cubic inches. 60 x 96 x 38.4= 221184. The sides on my trailer were 40" from the floor and I stacked the wood so once I pulled out the calculator and showed them they were happy and I always gave them a little extra. A face cord would be 73728 c.i. then.

 

[kiotiken]

You Bet [/COLOR]



That is the "unsaid" understanding in the world that Larry eluded to.

I used to sell firewood, I used a 5' x8' dump trailer. To let my customers know that they were getting a full cord I did the math for them. Full cord= 48 x 48 x96=221184cubic inches. 60 x 96 x 38.4= 221184. The sides on my trailer were 40" from the floor and I stacked the wood so once I pulled out the calculator and showed them they were happy and I always gave them a little extra. A face cord would be 73728 c.i. then.

I do buy from a "real" firewood guy from time to time, like last fall when I though I was a little short. I bought 3 face cords from him and he does the same thing with a dump trailer. Most guys don't, they call it 3 cords and they just fill up the trailer, unstacked, which is nowhere near 3 real cords.

 

[bpsooner]

I purchased the same set-up you are looking at. I love them. I use the pallet forks more than just about anything else. I put my bucket back on rencently for the first time in 6 months. I also purchased the 42 in and have not regretted it. I do not think you will either.

 

[PhysAssist]

I highly recommend the heavy duty chain on pallet forks from the yankee warehouse.

I paid $150 delivered for 41 useable inches with a 3500#capacity and chains attached (welded-on) way out stripping the capacity of the FEL on my Kubota B2320.

They have done everything I've asked of them, and are rock solid.

They come with attached chains and with 2 harborfreight chinbinders, they work forbrush, rocks, pallets, logs,and (don't try this at home) with a box pallet chained to the bucket- as a (semi-)human lift for roof work- (since my knee replacement I can't kneel, or squat well enough to nail on the roofing.) It was low (15' peak) shed roof.

They aren't heavy at all and don't limit the FEL anymore than the fact of having them sooo far out front.

The warehouse also has light duty forks that clamp on that have 1200# capacity, and ironically 43" useable length delivered for $130.

They delivered quickly and I used a couple of chain shckles/clevises as links to hook the binders onto the chains (and not incidentally mark them for easy reference for reattachment- if they EVER get taken off) ajd we have used them constantly since.

As regards the multispades- the Paumco isthe one I bought- it's the one purchase for my tractor the I regret. The B2320 apparently doesn't have either enough weight, traction, or downforce from the front loader, to dig stumps or rocks well.

It was kinda useful for moving and stacking rocks, but I think a tooth bar would've been better for digging out rocks, and maybe a sharpened subsoiler for cutting roots and undermining stumps.

As Always- YMMV, 'cause it's just myown lame-a**ed experience....
Thomas

 

[dustinfox]

I highly recommend the heavy duty chain on pallet forks from the yankee warehouse.

I paid $150 delivered for 41 useable inches with a 3500#capacity and chains attached (welded-on) way out stripping the capacity of the FEL on my Kubota B2320.

They have done everything I've asked of them, and are rock solid.

They come with attached chains and with 2 harborfreight chinbinders, they work forbrush, rocks, pallets, logs,and (don't try this at home) with a box pallet chained to the bucket- as a (semi-)human lift for roof work- (since my knee replacement I can't kneel, or squat well enough to nail on the roofing.) It was low (15' peak) shed roof.

They aren't heavy at all and don't limit the FEL anymore than the fact of having them sooo far out front.

The warehouse also has light duty forks that clamp on that have 1200# capacity, and ironically 43" useable length delivered for $130.

They delivered quickly and I used a couple of chain shckles/clevises as links to hook the binders onto the chains (and not incidentally mark them for easy reference for reattachment- if they EVER get taken off) ajd we have used them constantly since.

As regards the multispades- the Paumco isthe one I bought- it's the one purchase for my tractor the I regret. The B2320 apparently doesn't have either enough weight, traction, or downforce from the front loader, to dig stumps or rocks well.

It was kinda useful for moving and stacking rocks, but I think a tooth bar would've been better for digging out rocks, and maybe a sharpened subsoiler for cutting roots and undermining stumps.

As Always- YMMV, 'cause it's just myown lame-a**ed experience....
Thomas

Interesting... These are a little different than most of the "clamp on" forks I have seen, as they use the entire bucket for support. That would minimize the risk of bending your bucket but I suspect you would still lose some lifting capacity being further forward of the pivot point.

 

[dustinfox]

I am seriously leaning toward the Titan forks (in the sticky at the top of this forum) mostly because I can get two implements in one (forks plus hay spear).

Looking at their ebay store, they have mostly good reviews but a few who aren't real happy. I know there will always be some who can't be pleased but it still makes it harder to "pull the trigger."

 

[IslandTractor]

I am seriously leaning toward the Titan forks (in the sticky at the top of this forum) mostly because I can get two implements in one (forks plus hay spear).

Looking at their ebay store, they have mostly good reviews but a few who aren't real happy. I know there will always be some who can't be pleased but it still makes it harder to "pull the trigger."

They look fine to me. Cannot imagine what a non commercial owner would complain about. They don't publish thickness and type of steel used or the lift rating for the fork blades but it is surely much higher than any of our sub 60hp CUTs can lift so that is a non issue IMO. I assume they outsource the fork blades anyway from a common supplier as fork blades are not shop welded items. 295lbs weight (I presume including the blades) is about as light as you're going to find in a frame based adjustable set of forks. The price is neither a remarkable bargain nor a rip off especially as it includes shipping which is worth at least $100. I don't see any problem.

 

[dustinfox]

They look fine to me. Cannot imagine what a non commercial owner would complain about. They don't publish thickness and type of steel used or the lift rating for the fork blades but it is surely much higher than any of our sub 60hp CUTs can lift so that is a non issue IMO. I assume they outsource the fork blades anyway from a common supplier as fork blades are not shop welded items. 295lbs weight (I presume including the blades) is about as light as you're going to find in a frame based adjustable set of forks. The price is neither a remarkable bargain nor a rip off especially as it includes shipping which is worth at least $100. I don't see any problem.

My thinking as well... Here is the response from the seller when I messaged him about the weights.

"The frame on the 42 weighs 150 lbs and the frame on the 48 weighs 180 lbs. The 42 fork blades weigh 62 lbs each and the 48 fork blades weigh 103 lbs each. The 48" blades are a little thicker and the steel is more dense because of the weight/length factor. The frame on the 48" forks has more material and the bar the forks hang on is thicker on the 48 frame. However both frames have a huge safety factor on them and they will hold well over 4,000 each. The (48") forks are 4x1.25 inches."

So I'm guessing that, since the 48" forks are 1.25 inches thick, that the 42 inch forks are probably 1 inch thick and maybe a bit slimmer.