What else do you do with forks besides lift pallets?

[sixdogs]

Is it worth it to buy a set of skid steer forks that I might be able to get on the cheap? They will fit the skid steer loader adaptor I had built for my Deere 5520--85 hp-- . The forks are the HD version and I think either 3000# or more and 48" long.

Problem is, I only lift a few pallets a year and after that am stumped for it's usefulness. I think I could move big rocks or other things but never paid attention to forks that much. The forks will QT fit my skid steer attachment, are new and I think I can pay $300. Seem like that's worth it? What else do you guys do with forks besides lift pallets?

 

[gghb]

I mainly use mine to stir my composting manure pile and carrying a tote when i'm picking pumpkins and squash

Greg

 

[bcp]

19 pages of things to do with forks.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328001-what-do-you-do-your.html

Bruce

 

[teg]

...The forks will QT fit my skid steer attachment, are new and I think I can pay $300...

Buy them to resell at the very least... wish I could find a set for $300.

 

[blueriver]

oh man ... get them! Pallets, trees, post, rocks, other equipment, change out flats, carry steel pipes, rods, tubes, get under a bale of hay, offload any thing from a trailer, onload to a trailer. Put a set of scaffolding on them (chained or strapped on), excellent for getting logs up to cut height... If I have to get even like my plow to the shop to work on it ...well its faster and easier just to pick it up and bring it in. The list goes on and on!!!

If youve never had them and get them you will be surprised how often you use them!! Hey post a pic of the adapter u built.

 

[newbury]

19 pages of things to do with forks.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328001-what-do-you-do-your.html

Bruce

I only have 5 pages!

My page is bigger thane yours!

I especially liked using them as a poor man's grapple.

 

[sixdogs]

I'll post a pic of the adapter when it warms up. It's mounted on the tractor at present and you can't get a good photo that way.

Reading those other threads is pretty good. I had no idea...duh on my part.

 

[blueriver]

I'm using the on I built ... What was that like 2-3 years ago? Never have been able to wreck it!!!!

 

[JBourquin]

My favorite thing was loading/moving picnic tables I was building last year. 10' tables made out of 2"x10"s, not exactly what you want to move by hand.

 

[flyerdan]

One handy little thing to have for forks is this easy to make side carrier.

We'd use them at work to move very large gates, or bundles of long material where there is a width clearance issue. such as going in or out of a roll up door. You can manage some pretty unwieldy items by yourself by having something slightly tail heavy and chaining off to the rops to keep it from swinging.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

I plan to use the forks on the front of my bx as portable work table. Basically an offroad sawhorse.

 

[PILOON]

I made clamp on forks using 2 x 3 channel stock I had.
I naturally accept that they are weight limited.

Just great to scoop piles of branches, and naturally all sorts of bulky stuff.
I made a dedicated pallet for bulky awkward items and firewood.

 

[94BULLITT]

I think once you get them you will find plenty of uses for them. If not for $300 you should be able to make a profit if you don't want them.

 

[TomSeller]

Forks are relatively inexpensive, yet very useful. I would not be without them.

 

[Baby Grand]

Why limit the question to besides lifting pallets?
A more revealing question might be "How can you use pallets?"
Or even "What are those pallets doing in you field?"

 

[LD1]

I have a set of clamp on forks I made. I dont think I have ever lifted a pallet. But move all sorts of things. Used them alot when I moved (reason for making). Loading my lengths of raw steel, horizontal air compressor, steel shelving(heavy), steel rack, bolt bin, tool boxes, work benches, job box, welder, etc etc etc onto and off of the trailer.

 

[FTG-05]

One handy little thing to have for forks is this easy to make side carrier.


We'd use them at work to move very large gates, or bundles of long material where there is a width clearance issue. such as going in or out of a roll up door. You can manage some pretty unwieldy items by yourself by having something slightly tail heavy and chaining off to the rops to keep it from swinging.

Picture of that being used, please!

Thanks!

 

[hslogger]

another use for pallet forks......

This is a home made man lift basket. Bottom has slots for the forks. It is one section. I just added a second section for more height. Second section is secured with four C clamps

 

[Xfaxman]

It is an old garden cart with the wheels removed. Setting on the forks:

The forks:

 

[flyerdan]

Picture of that being used, please!
Thanks!

I looked through my pictures and I don't have any; hopefully I can explain how we used them and it can be scaled to a similar use for others.
This is a 47 foot long cantilever gate, one of the longer ones I've built. To move these around we'd put a loop of chain around the top rail at the balance point and slide the side hook onto one of the forks, hook the chain over it and pick it up. A secondary chain could be used to secure the back portion to the rops to keep it from swinging, if so desired.

You could also use it for a bundle of long material going through a doorway, a utility pole or flag pole going down a narrow driveway without having to skid it, that sort of thing. Granted, not something that a lot of people would use regularly, but it is quite handy to have around.