What else do you do with forks besides lift pallets?

[civilian]

So you're saying pallets have started moving from fields into backyards???

They're getting closer...

A bunch have made it into my workshop/storage building. HaHa!

Actually we recently had to move out of our house while we were building our new house. Everything that could be put on pallets, was and then we stcked them on top of each other in the storage building. Still have two pallets needed to be unloade, but they move arounf very easy with the tractor forks. Jon

 

[i7win7]

After reading this thread I think I could save a lot of money by getting a set of forks rather than a Root grapple.

Anyone have both?

Root grapple good for moving brush and logs. For demolition work - forks. Problem with forks keeping odd loads centered, a product called add a grapple slides over the forks and secures load. Use grapple and tree puller more than bucket and rock bucket.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

After reading this thread I think I could save a lot of money by getting a set of forks rather than a Root grapple.

Anyone have both?

Yep

 

[JCoastie]

After reading this thread I think I could save a lot of money by getting a set of forks rather than a Root grapple.

Anyone have both?

Yup, forks work OK for moving hurricane debris, but the grapple is much easier. Might be a couple more trips, but much less on/off the tractor with the grapple. And when maneuvering around trees, no issues with the grapple, and many times stuff fell off the forks. I can also rip down vines and brush with the grapple, something I couldn't do with just forks. It all really depends on your landscape.

 

[California]

I see Harbor Freight has an inexpensive one-man gas engine post hole digger. Has anyone ever mounted one like this on front forks? Would it work? It seems like this would be cheaper and simpler than a 3-point digger.

And far less brutal compared to operating this tool alone.

 

[RjCorazza]

I don't see why that wouldn't work, although it may be prudent to have two people available. Space the forks right under the handles and tie it down.
I just finished removing my 20 year old fence and reinstalling split rail. I splurged and bought a Land Pride ssqa hydraulic auger, and it was too easy!

 

[Kschwennsen]

Similar here, forks as part of a grading project.

Most land planes are simply towed. But I need the ability to lift this one, using the forks, for tight U-turns when smoothing my narrow lane. The cross-chain in the photo allows this lift.

I took this photo when I was improving it with a permanent chain on each front corner, with hooks to pull it from the front of the forks assembly.

Also, setting the weight of the forks on the land plane makes a crude blade for levelling gopher mounds in the orchard.

I was wondering, has anyone made or seen a land plane that mounts to the FEL forks instead of the 3 point? I ask because I'm looking at making one so I can use it on my tractor and my father can use it on his skid steer. it should be alot cheaper than store bought, you can change pressure (front to back) and simpler as it really only has the sides and blades.

Thoughts?

 

[Xfaxman]

Do you have a Quick Attach on the FEL?

How long are your forks?

I guess you could put fork pockets on the land plane, similar to the way this one attaches:

 

[Kschwennsen]

Do you have a Quick Attach on the FEL?

How long are your forks?

I guess you could put fork pockets on the land plane, similar to the way this one attaches:

View attachment 708984View attachment 708985

I have the John Deere style quick attach on the FEL which I actually like better than the skid steer attach (less moving parts)

They are standard forks (50" +/-) built the mask myself.

I was thinking just some bent straps along the top supports of the plane but I could just use wide rectangular tubing and weld it along the horizontal supports. I figured a chain with binder would hold the plane onto the forks for back dragging.

 

[OzarkChris]

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 42" 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?

I use mine for a lot more than pallet items. I have a Titan 3ph to QC adapter (<$100 on scratch & dent, if I recall correctly) that the forks are usually attached to. With this combo, I can attach ballast, work buckets, welder, etc and even carry a single round bale without putting on spikes.

 

[frj777]

Kubota, L3130 with woods Pallet forks. 800# ballets box plus 300# wheel weights….LOOK at front tires. This is a HEAVY LOG. LOVE THE FORKS. GET 48 INCHERS.

Regards, Fred

PS. My son is on tractor. My beard is gray.

 

[sixdogs]

View attachment 709031Kubota, L3130 with woods Pallet forks. 800# ballets box plus 300# wheel weights….LOOK at front tires. This is a HEAVY LOG. LOVE THE FORKS. GET 48 INCHERS.

Regards, Fred

PS. My son is on tractor. My beard is gray.

I'm the OP and the forks tuned out to be 48" and not the 42" originally mentioned. I use the forks all the time now and only rarely lift a pallet.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

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 li

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?

Forks are on our tractor year round and we dont have any pallets. Pick up two round bales at once though. Sit freshly baled hay in clumps so will be easier to load with skid steer. I have dug multiplied thousands of trees with them. Moved lots of implements with them. Easier to move things hanging from chains. We have a basket we fork and use to get on our feed silos. Use the same basket decking and roofing houses. Yep the forks is most always on the tractor. Really I'd have to hunt for the bucket because I dont know where it is. And you may not have a back hoe but you can have a loose hole in a jiffy with them forks next to each other. We load logs...

 

[civilian]

I have the John Deere style quick attach on the FEL which I actually like better than the skid steer attach (less moving parts)

They are standard forks (50" +/-) built the mask myself.

I was thinking just some bent straps along the top supports of the plane but I could just use wide rectangular tubing and weld it along the horizontal supports. I figured a chain with binder would hold the plane onto the forks for back dragging.

I would also price out a channel wide enough to fit your forks. It maybe be cheaper than the rectangular tubing. Jon

 

[Kschwennsen]

I would also price out a channel wide enough to fit your forks. It maybe be cheaper than the rectangular tubing. Jon

I thought about channel but it would be good to get some more weld contact.

 

[sixdogs]

There are two things I plan to do with forks that I have not done yet.

One is to make my own extended forks that go out maybe eight feet and will hold brush I cut deep in a shelter belt and have to haul out. The weight isn't much but they are bulky and I know this would hold a lot of brush. I could make these out of scrap metal or I even think 2x4's on edge would be sufficient for the lighter weight.

Second is kind of foolish but I do not have a way to roll up my 600 ft of garden hose every fall for storage. It winds up being a spaghetti mess of hose that I trip over till spring. One year my forks were almost together and I wound up a 100' hose length on them and tied it into a near and practical package. It took 1/4 of the space and stayed trip free over the winter.

 

[Kschwennsen]

I pull stumps, dig trenches, move boulders, debris and my ballast weight with my forks. I put a receiver tube on the mask too so I can hook up trailers as well.

My forks spend more time with the dirt than any pallets.

 

[Xfaxman]

Move a 4'x5' rubber stall mat from the dog pen:

To the stack at the horse barn:

 

[Frankenkubota]

There are two things I plan to do with forks that I have not done yet.

One is to make my own extended forks that go out maybe eight feet and will hold brush I cut deep in a shelter belt and have to haul out. The weight isn't much but they are bulky and I know this would hold a lot of brush. I could make these out of scrap metal or I even think 2x4's on edge would be sufficient for the lighter weight.

Second is kind of foolish but I do not have a way to roll up my 600 ft of garden hose every fall for storage. It winds up being a spaghetti mess of hose that I trip over till spring. One year my forks were almost together and I wound up a 100' hose length on them and tied it into a near and practical package. It took 1/4 of the space and stayed trip free over the winter.

hoses and extension cords, always in the way.

 

[Underdog57]

Ripped up and stacked an old Mobile Home slab and cleaned up the mess with my landscape rake.