3 PH fork attachment

shooterdon · Jul 27, 2020

I am planning to modify my firewood processing method next year. I will need a grapple on the FEL for loading logs onto the feed rack of the processor and a set of forks on the 3PH to handle bins of wood that will weigh 1500-2000 lbs. The bins are modified IBC totes.

I currently use a TSC carry all to hold 850 lbs of ballast when using the grapple. It is rated for 1500 lbs. I think that it will be light for handling totes

Most of the Cat 1 forks I have found are rated at 1500 lbs. Some are tubes and I prefer solid forks that will be easier to slip under the bins. Does anyone use or know of a higher capacity Cat 1 set?

This is one I am currently looking at

Titan Attachments 3-Point, 36-in Pallet Fork Hay Frame Attachment with Rack, Receiver Hitch, Spear Sleeves Fits Cat I & II Tractors

Thanks,

ovrszd · Jul 27, 2020

Following to see what you come up with.

Thinking maybe a QA set of forks with 3pt brackets added?

CoyPatton · Jul 27, 2020

One caution which unless you have a “self leveling” loader, you are already used to dealing with, without a hydraulic too link, you will be tipping the top of your totes toward the tractor at an increasing angle as you lift higher. With the hydraulic top you can adjust for that tipping as you raise and lower your 3PH much as I do with my curl on my loader.

Sorry I know very little about pallet forks on a 3PH, the above is an issue I have encountered with a carryall. The Titan forks look good!

ovrszd · Jul 27, 2020

Good point Coy.

This can be minimized by where you hitch the top link on the tractor. When hauling big bales with my 3pt bale forks I want the bale to lean toward me as I lift so it is less apt to sliding off. By changing the hitch point I can make them lift flat.

Foodplot · Jul 27, 2020

I've had the King Kutter PM-15 3-pt pallet forks for 10+ years. 2K lb weight rating at 24" behind the vertical frame. I use them for what you are proposing. Other than poor paint, they've been bulletproof. The forks are heavy rectangular tubes, but are tapered at the end. Only drawback is not being able to adjust width for non-standard pallets.

CoyPatton · Jul 27, 2020

ovrszd said:
Good point Coy.

This can be minimized by where you hitch the top link on the tractor. When hauling big bales with my 3pt bale forks I want the bale to lean toward me as I lift so it is less apt to sliding off. By changing the hitch point I can make them lift flat.

Harder to do with a pallet fork setup lifting a pallet based product. The forks must be almost level to slide under the base. So there is no real option to have an offset before you lift as you can with a spear setup.

CoyPatton · Jul 27, 2020

Foodplot said:
I've had the King Kutter PM-15 3-pt pallet forks for 10+ years. 2K lb weight rating at 24" behind the vertical frame. I use them for what you are proposing. Other than poor paint, they've been bulletproof. The forks are heavy rectangular tubes, but are tapered at the end. Only drawback is not being able to adjust width for non-standard pallets.

His tractor 3PH has just under a 2800 lbs lift. I doubt he wants to limit his lift capacity by almost 800 lbs. Do you know if King Kutter has a higher capacity set?

shooterdon · Jul 27, 2020

Good points guys...just want to add.

I have a hydraulic top link so can adjust the forks for level as I enter the pallet and also as I lift it. I will want a slight tilt as I lift them and ovszd made a good point about the attachment point at the tractor...I have three locations, and will try to find the one that allows the lifting action to be as parallels to the ground as possible with a slight angle back to tractor as I raise the forks. .

2000 Lbs should be all I need in terms of capacity. I am having no problems lifting them with my SSQA forks on the FEL. I only need to lift the bins a foot or so unless doing down/up a mound or incline.

Just had a thought, What if I used one of these:

3 Point to Universal Quick Tach Adapter Skid Steer Tractor

I could use them to mount my SSQA forks and they are rated at 3500 lbs.

ovrszd · Jul 27, 2020

CoyPatton said:
Harder to do with a pallet fork setup lifting a pallet based product. The forks must be almost level to slide under the base. So there is no real option to have an offset before you lift as you can with a spear setup.

If the top link is similar in length as the lowers, which most are, and is parrallel to the lowers, the forks will stay the same thru all of the 3pt movement. Lower the hitch point of the top link at the tractor and the load will tip toward the tractor when lifted. Raise it and the load will tip away from the tractor when lifted.

ovrszd · Jul 27, 2020

shooterdon said:
Good points guys...just want to add.

I have a hydraulic top link so can adjust the forks for level as I enter the pallet and also as I lift it. I will want a slight tilt as I lift them and ovszd made a good point about the attachment point at the tractor...I have three locations, and will try to find the one that allows the lifting action to be as parallels to the ground as possible with a slight angle back to tractor as I raise the forks. .

2000 Lbs should be all I need in terms of capacity. I am having no problems lifting them with my SSQA forks on the FEL. I only need to lift the bins a foot or so unless doing down/up a mound or incline.

Just had a thought, What if I used one of these:

3 Point to Universal Quick Tach Adapter Skid Steer Tractor

I could them mount my SSQA forks and they are rated at 3500 lbs.

Yep!! There's your answer.

If you bought a tree puller it could also be used either way.

Didn't know they built such a thing!!!

m7040 · Jul 30, 2020

I have a Bradco plate that converts 3 point to quick attach so I can use the pallet forks on the 3 point. Use it for heavy racks of firewood to move them close to the house. One of the racks has a roof structure on it and I was careless raising it without using the hydraulic top link for leveling resulting in rear window of the cab scattered in a million pieces. Mostly use the pallet forks now on the front and limit the loads to match the lifting capacity.

cstamm81 · Aug 1, 2020

I have that exact Titan 3 point to SSQA adapter, and I use it for the exact same purpose. You need to have the ability to adjust fork width, and there aren稚 many 3 point adjustable forks that I ran across. My pallet forks have a decently tall backrest, and I致e never had an issue with having the totes angled toward the tractor, even on decent slopes. My little Mahindra can handle full totes of firewood with no issues.

cstamm81 · Aug 1, 2020

m7040 said:
I have a Bradco plate that converts 3 point to quick attach so I can use the pallet forks on the 3 point. Use it for heavy racks of firewood to move them close to the house. One of the racks has a roof structure on it and I was careless raising it without using the hydraulic top link for leveling resulting in rear window of the cab scattered in a million pieces. Mostly use the pallet forks now on the front and limit the loads to match the lifting capacity.

I知 looking at that adapter for my 60hp Kubota. Are you happy with it? Is it a pain to loosen the 4 bolts then retighten to lock the pins in place? I like my Titan for my smaller tractor, but the Bradco looks to be a whole lot beefier.

dsb5610 · Aug 2, 2020

I have SSQA pallet forks and lots of IBC totes filled with firewood. Forks are rated for 4000lb and adjustable. My tractor has no problem handling them but if the ground is not solid it leaves ruts.

To minimize the rutting I decided to move the weight to the larger rear tires. Bought a 3pt to SSQA from Neat Farms. Works good. I have a hydraulic top link.

Issues I have found:
- Need to switch between snow removal and wood carrying in the winter. Most I found were not quick hitch compatible. I have the steel to convert mine just need time.
- Hitch is not perfectly true. Only one latch will close. Other side is close. Will require some grinding.
- 3pt does not go low enough to attach the forks. Will be corrected with the quick hitch conversion.
- Hydraulic toplink can tilt forks forward a lot, back a little. Will try to improve that with the quick hitch conversion.

dsb

m7040 · Aug 2, 2020

Yes the Bradco plate works and is very sturdy. It lifts easily a cord of firewood at a time on the racks. There is some work involved in setting it up and you need a hydraulic toplink to be user friendly but other than that it is great. Don't use it much any more. The forks on the front of the tractor can lift maybe 3000 or so pounds so that is what I use mostly

cstamm81 · Aug 2, 2020

m7040 said:
Yes the Bradco plate works and is very sturdy. It lifts easily a cord of firewood at a time on the racks. There is some work involved in setting it up and you need a hydraulic toplink to be user friendly but other than that it is great. Don't use it much any more. The forks on the front of the tractor can lift maybe 3000 or so pounds so that is what I use mostly

Thanks for the reply. Any interest in selling? You are not terribly far from me.