What is the best way to add pallet forks to my L3710? No quick attach.

[Gasifier]

I am at a toss up of getting chains for my rear tires or adding some pallet forks to my bucket up front. I could really use some pallet forks. My bucket is not quick attach. I noticed on my bucket it looks like there may have been a bar on it prior to me buying it. I don't know if that was used for forks, an add on grapple. A grapple would be nice, but I would use a set of forks a lot more. I definetely need a set of forks. So much stuff to move around, moving my wood supply alone would justify the forks. No quick attach.

Oh. I forgot to mention. I don't want clamp on. Want to add them on my front bucket. Thanks for your time guys.

 

[Notforhire]

Oh. I forgot to mention. I don't want clamp on. Want to add them on my front bucket. Thanks for your time guys.

If you intend on keeping this tractor I would recommend installing a SSQA. When you attach forks to your bucket you are moving the load 2ft farther away from the pins. This greatly reduces your lift capacity. If you simply do not want a SSQA at all. Then I suggest pin on forks, that you install in place of the bucket.

Best , Bill

 

[94BULLITT]

I also recommend a SSQA. With forks on the bucket you don't have very good visibility. If you don't need to lift high you could get a 3PH pallet mover. If you want to get a grapple eventually SSQA is the way to go.

 

[Gasifier]

Okay. Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Now what is SSQA? I have considered a 3 point hitch pallet fork set up. Cheaper and lift heavier. My concern with them is not being able to tip forward/backward a little to adjust load. I do not have to lift my wood very high, but have some uneven terrain I will be moving it over and think I may have to be able to tip the pallet back a little so the wood or entire thing does not slide or fall of entirely. I do not know for sure, but I guess I was thinking the 3-point would not be able to tip at all. I also like the idea of having the load out in front for visability. Now I need to find out what SSQA is.

 

[sscrob]

It stands for skid steer quick attach. It's kinda the standard for interchangeable front implements. From bucket to forks in a less than a minute.

 

[Notforhire]

Okay. Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Now what is SSQA? I have considered a 3 point hitch pallet fork set up. Cheaper and lift heavier. My concern with them is not being able to tip forward/backward a little to adjust load. I do not have to lift my wood very high, but have some uneven terrain I will be moving it over and think I may have to be able to tip the pallet back a little so the wood or entire thing does not slide or fall of entirely. I do not know for sure, but I guess I was thinking the 3-point would not be able to tip at all. I also like the idea of having the load out in front for visability. No I need to find out what SSQA is.

Sorry about that. SSQA is short for Skid Steer Quick Attach
It is so called because it is the attachment system often used on Skid Steers (Bobcats).

Do you have a rear hydraulic remote connector on your tractor? If so you can replace the adjustable top link with a hydraulic cilinder, then you will have power tilt on your 3pt hitch. That's if you want rear forks.

Bill

 

[sscrob]

Look at this: http://www.quick-attach.com/attachments/frontendloaderconverter/

 

[Gasifier]

Sorry about that. SSQA is short for Skid Steer Quick Attach
It is so called because it is the attachment system often used on Skid Steers (Bobcats).

Do you have a rear hydraulic remote connector on your tractor? If so you can replace the adjustable top link with a hydraulic cilinder, then you will have power tilt on your 3pt hitch. That's if you want rear forks.


Heeeyyyy. Never thought about that. You see, I have some experience with machinery. But not a lot. You guys have so much more knowledge. I gotta start hanging around here more. :laughing: I do have a rear hydraulic line on my tractor. It is not a remote connector, it runs from the front to the back to run the woods backhoe I have on there. So I assume (which I have learned before not to do from good old Benny Hill, don't make an ***-u-me! ) that I could end of that end of the line at a remote connector easy enough. Then have a short line that would go to my hoe or the cylinder for pallet forks. The pallet forks on the three point hitch would lift a lot more weight. Right? Like twice the amount of front loader. I think.

 

[Gasifier]

Look at this: Compact and Front End Loader Converter : Quick Attach Attachments, Inc.

For some reason your link did not work. But then I got it to work a different way. Probably computer security thingy. Anywho. Thanks. So I would take the existing bucket right off, and then have a welder put some kind of adapter on the back of the bucket so I did not have to buy another one? I don't see a price on these things so far. And I probably don't want to know how much they cost!:shocked:

 

[Notforhire]

There are aftermarket SSQA adapters available.
I converted a New Holland TC40D about 2 years ago. I bought the factory New Holland part and it cost less than aftermarket. It was about $550. The SS plate (for the bucket side) is available on e-bay, with lots to choose from.
You will have more lift cap. with your 3PH. Personally I prefer the forks on the loader. They are more usefull that way, like moving brush, stacking hay bales, ect.

Bill

 

[kcender]

SSQA adapter for my L3240 is around 500 dollars in Canada.One for your tractor should be somewhere around that price,plus labour if you have to pay someone to install it.

 

[sscrob]

Yea that's right, you'd have to modify your bucket to use with the new quick attach plate. I've found ,as a fairly new tractor owner, you can spend as much money on stuff for your tractor as you did to buy your tractor. Can I get a Amen!! Lol

 

[Notforhire]

Member k0ua had a great post on how he converted his loader. You can do a search or try sending him a PM.

 

[JJZ 109]

Yea that's right, you'd have to modify your bucket to use with the new quick attach plate. I've found ,as a fairly new tractor owner, you can spend as much money on stuff for your tractor as you did to buy your tractor. Can I get a Amen!! Lol

True enough. You do have to cut the factory pin plates off and have a SSQA plate welded to your bucket. But after you've had the experience of easily dropping the bucket to pick up forks and vice versa, you'll not want to go back.

 

[Gasifier]

I have seen some of the conversions. Problem is I do not have welding skills. I do know of a welding shop nearby though. Maybe I will pay them a visit. Strange why the don't have a price on that one sight. I will have to call them as well for the adapter.

 

[JJZ 109]

I used a universal adapter from this place on a Kubota B3030: skid steer quick attach adapter to fit front end tractor loader or older skid steer
Of course I still had to get the bucket plate and have that welded on. But the setup worked well for me while I had that tractor.

 

[newbury]

OP -
You have several issues here.
Front forks, rear forks, moving firewood, hydraulic top-link, SSQA.

Rear forks are handy


Especially if you have heavy loads to move over smooth ground. With no lifting high. I've got rear forks and for moving stuff around they are excellent. As you mention rear lift is greater, about twice that of the front.
My M4700 is spec'd to be able to lift 2 tons on the rear, one on the front.

Front forks are handy


Especially if you need to push into a pile of stuff and/or lift it high. With my clamp-on pallet forks I can unload a ton on a pallet off the back of my F350, or tear into a brush pile and move it.

A hydraulic top link is a great addition and I yearn for one.

A SSQA is excellent if you have several attachments, say grapple bucket, fork lifts, hay spear, bucket.

From reading your posts it doesn't seem that money is much of a limiting factor so why not get them all?

In my case money is always limiting, so I went with simple rear pallet forks I bought years ago from Agri-Supply for about $150 and a set of front clamp-ons w/stabilizer bar I just got from Palletforks.com for about $240.

And I can swap them between my tractors with ease.

 

[Bluegill2]

I don't have SSQA, but do have a set of fork lift forks. I'll build a frame for the forks and just un-pin the bucket, and pin on the forks when needed. I've never had SSQA and do think I want it now?

 

[Bluegill2]

Also, my brother bolted a set of forks to the bucket of our L3750. He uses it to load logs on the tailor and to load the sawmill. Works just fine.

 

[94BULLITT]

Okay. Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Now what is SSQA? I have considered a 3 point hitch pallet fork set up. Cheaper and lift heavier. My concern with them is not being able to tip forward/backward a little to adjust load. I do not have to lift my wood very high, but have some uneven terrain I will be moving it over and think I may have to be able to tip the pallet back a little so the wood or entire thing does not slide or fall of entirely. I do not know for sure, but I guess I was thinking the 3-point would not be able to tip at all. I also like the idea of having the load out in front for visability. Now I need to find out what SSQA is.

I use 3PH forks with and with out a hydraulic toplink. It is not necessary but it can be helpful. I stack all of my wood on pallets. If I am coming out of the woods I use cam buckle straps to hold it on. 8 ft. x 1-1/4 in. Quick-Release Cam Buckles (2-pack)-142220 at The Home Depot If you had front forks you would have to do the same still. You actually have better visibility for going under the pallet with 3PH forks. If you are planing on keeping your tractor for a while SSQA would be a good way to go.