What do you do with your forks?

jodebg · Dec 31, 2014

94Bullitt-
Thanks for the photos and ideas. Nice job with the rear pallet fork fab.

What would be today's material cost to make one of those?

Xfaxman · Dec 31, 2014

jodebg said:
All the replies in this thread have been very helpful-thanks to all.

I now understand some of the many uses for front forks and the value
of owning a set. Now need to decide on the type of connection I will use
and the Brand of forks to buy. Called Titan today and was informed that
they do not sell pin on forks-wasn't happy to hear that. With a $280 set of
oem Kubota loader adapters I would be able to use my bucket as is
(now cutting and welding) and have
a version of a quick attach that would seem to work for my needs.

I will have to see who else makes a set of pin on forks at a reasonable cost. Any ideas?

I am not yet sold on the expense of converting to a SSQA style. I don't think I
will have enough of a need or use to warrant the expense. Unless I am missing something.

That leads to my next question. What other attachments would I possibly be using on this
30hp tractor and my 4 acres. I don't need a snow blower or pusher...what other attachments are used up front?

I don't know if you need it, but from the number of threads here on TBN, one of the most used is a grapple.

I have noticed that most guys say their grapple is used more than their bucket. :thumbsup:

FTG-05 · Dec 31, 2014

One use I have for my forks are to move and set 310 lb concrete tabletops:

94BULLITT · Dec 31, 2014

TomSeller said:
Nice attachments. Sure is nice to see someone else that drags along multiple chainsaws.

Thanks, I take more than necessary but I like to play with chainsaws

It is nice to take two in case one gets pinched.

jodebg said:
94Bullitt-
Thanks for the photos and ideas. Nice job with the rear pallet fork fab.

What would be today's material cost to make one of those?

Thanks, I'm not sure what it would cost to make them. Maybe $200~. My neighbor got the 2x4 box of a job they did not cost me much to build. I measured them and it looks like there is a tad under 16.5' 2x4x.250 tubing in them. I would call your local metal supplier to see what that would cost. You might be cheaper to buy 20' of 2x4 if you have a way to haul it. My metal supplier charges a lot to cut metal. When I get a chance I'll update my pallet mover thread with the dimensions in case you or anyone else wants to build one.

I don't know if you have an agri supply close to you but they have a set of 3PH forks for $159. Pallet Forks, Pallet Fork, 3 Point Pallet Forks | Agri Supply, 72511, 3 Pt Palle

King Kutter also makes 3PH forks. King Kutter Pallet Mover

Some people on here use a carry all for forks but they are light duty. I don't know if that would work for your uses.CountyLine® Carry All - Tractor Supply Co.

Xfaxman · Dec 31, 2014

Here is another option for those with 3 point forks and no Quick Attach.

From the archives in 2003: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/20501-3-point-forks-double-bucket.html

David P · Dec 31, 2014

TomSeller said:
The heck with the forks, do you have pictures of your maple sap collecting?

Here's a pic of the Agri-Supply forks being used to transport a tank of maple sap. For the money, they're tough to beat. (You can't actually see the forks in this pic but they're linked to in this thread).

I also use them to move our firewood around. I just started working with it this year but I've been running three rows of 16" cuts on a pallet 4' high. The forks seem to be handling the weight ok so far.

My images got a bit goofy on me lol.

piercedtiger · Dec 31, 2014

I've used mine to haul flag stone steps from an unused doorway back to our firepit to use as benches, brush, and sections of a pine tree we had taken down. I've used a pallet across them to lift things up to the second floor of the barn too.

jodebg · Jan 1, 2015

Pretty handy and capable set to have for not much money. Looked at my bucket but I don't have the flat top and overhanging lip for the upper support.
Have to give this some thought on how I would be able to secure it.

piercedtiger said:
I've used mine to haul flag stone steps from an unused doorway back to our firepit to use as benches, brush, and sections of a pine tree we had taken down. I've used a pallet across them to lift things up to the second floor of the barn too.

piercedtiger · Jan 1, 2015

jodebg said:
Pretty handy and capable set to have for not much money. Looked at my bucket but I don't have the flat top and overhanging lip for the upper support.
Have to give this some thought on how I would be able to secure it.

Yes they are!

And that idea just sort of came to me after looking at that lip.

I've seen a couple other designs where they put 2x4s on both sides of the bottom plate with a bolt through them. The bolt and fender washers clamp the 2x4s over the cutting edge. That might work for you. My GC only has a 600 lb lift capacity so I didn't really need to go nuts on bracing or reinforcements. Lol

Edit:
Something like this:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...44446-clamp-bucket-forks-bx-worthwhile-2.html

TomSeller · Jan 1, 2015

piercedtiger said:
I've used mine to haul flag stone steps from an unused doorway back to our firepit to use as benches, brush, and sections of a pine tree we had taken down. I've used a pallet across them to lift things up to the second floor of the barn too.

Very creative set of forks. Good job!

piercedtiger · Jan 1, 2015

TomSeller said:
Very creative set of forks. Good job!

Thanks! Previous owner walled that door in on the inside of the house long before we thought about buying it so they weren't needed. Just a nuisance as having 2 front doors confused visitors and delivery people, AND I had to maintain a railing on it for "safety reasons" for my insurance.

Since 2 of the 4 steps were missing my FIL cut some planks and made a railing to pass inspection before we closed in 2006, and that was falling apart now. Why rebuild it when we didn't need the darn thing? Only problem was I never got motivated to get a wagon, pick, shovel, sledge, and maybe the air chisel out to deal with it by hand. Within maybe a week of getting the tractor I took the whole set of steps down with the tractor in maybe half an hour, including trips to the backyard to dump debris, and taking pics.

A buddy of mine said a 12"x"12"x1" stone weighs around 14lbs I think, so we estimated those suckers at 300lbs each. Which was another reason I never got around to doing it by hand..... How the heck was I going to wrestle them up into the bed of my truck to haul out back???

Those forks under the leading edge were enough to pop the mortar loose so I could roll/rock/pivot/slide them onto the forks. Then lift and carry them to the fire pit where I have a 2' wide bench to set both of them on without getting off the tractor! Used it again to lift them up and set them down on some of the larger pine sections in the other pic to make benches for the fire pit.

I've also thrown fencing, posts, and tools across them when doing a goat/chicken pen out behind the barn. The number of uses I've had for them really makes me think about converting to QA of some sort on the front. Might be the excuse I need to buy that plasma cutter I've been wanting.

jodebg · Jan 1, 2015

Anyone familiar with the products made by....Jery at MYTRACTORTOOLS.COM?

He makes a set of forks that fit both the front loader and the 3 point hitch-looks interesting.

He also makes a quick hitch system and several other attachments, etc..

Hoping someone has seen his work and has some first hand experience they can share.

piercedtiger · Jan 1, 2015

jodebg said:
Anyone familiar with the products made by....Jery at MYTRACTORTOOLS.COM?

He makes a set of forks that fit both the front loader and the 3 point hitch-looks interesting.

He also makes a quick hitch system and several other attachments, etc..

Hoping someone has seen his work and has some first hand experience they can share.

No, but now I want the QA for my massey! :licking: :hyper: And my wallet hates you now.

jodebg · Jan 1, 2015

Too funny!

Looks real interesting, and well designed. He has a point about the ssaq equipment on smaller tractors.
SSQA is heavy for our small capacity tractors and cuts into the net capacity of work we will be able to do.
Never thought of it that way.:mur:
I am waiting to hear back from him to get more details and pricing.

piercedtiger · Jan 2, 2015

jodebg said:
Too funny!

Looks real interesting, and well designed. He has a point about the ssaq equipment on smaller tractors.
SSQA is heavy for our small capacity tractors and cuts into the net capacity of work we will be able to do.
Never thought of it that way.:mur:
I am waiting to hear back from him to get more details and pricing.

Yeah, the weight part makes sense. The big thing to me is having to cut 4 brackets off the bucket and weld a $250 or whatever plate onto the bucket, in addition the adapter for the loader arms. Installation would be a heck of a lot easier, and the receiver would be great to move my trailer around with. I emailed him as well asking about the Massey QA, and he replied back with a price of $799 plus shipping. It'll be ready "very soon".

jodebg · Jan 2, 2015

Did you place your order? Let me know what you think about their QA product.

piercedtiger · Jan 2, 2015

jodebg said:
Did you place your order? Let me know what you think about their QA product.

No, they're not ready yet. So I guess I'll have to keep watching his site to see when, or check with him over the summer. Gives me some time to set some money aside I suppose.