42" light duty forks or 48" heavier duty forks?

[rbtjr]

I plan on buying from Everything Attachments a set of SSQA forks for our Kubota L3800 tractor. I will probably buy either the 2200 lb capacity 42" forks or the 3000 capacity 48" forks. The 42" light duty forks weigh 238 lbs. The 48" heavier duty forks weigh about 340 lbs. My main application would be carrying stuff, like lumber or the occasional load of something I get or store on a pallet. I already have a grapple. I am inclined to get the 48" forks even though they weigh 100 lbs more, but I thought I would ask: Does anyone have an opinion about whether or not with a small tractor like ours it is worth giving up the 100 lbs heavier weight of the 3000-lb duty forks in order to get the additional 6" length in the forks? I am not concerned about the weight rating of the light duty forks, since I would never be lifting anything as heavy as 2000 lbs anyway.

Thanks.

 

[HarryN]

If you're like most other posts I read about... everybody loves their forks and very few ever sell them. They will out last your tractor, and who know what you'll buy in the future.
I'd buy (and did) the 48" heavy duty forks..... and glad I did!! You'll find other uses for them you haven't even thought about yet. Good luck

 

[rbtjr]

Thanks. That's how I am leaning.

 

[gwdixon]

I'll come in on the other side of the argument.

48" forks can be unwieldy. They are far less maneuverable and tend to get in the way. The extra six inches will not be a significant advantage for your tractor and the extra hundred pounds will reduce the FEL capacity. Price is likely an issue as well, "bang for the buck" type of thing.

42" is plenty for just about any pallet out there. When loading logs or other heavy items, the 42" model will lift way more than your tractor can handle. I have a M7040 with 42" forks and can run out of lift on huge stumps or several large diameter logs.

 

[KBinCT]

I bought the 42" forks for my L3901 because they weighed 100 pounds less than the 48" forks. I've taken several pallets off of my pickup (Everything Attachments implements) with no problems due to the shorter forks.

 

[bigtiller]

If there is a difference in the width of the forks, that needs to be considered also. A 3" fork will be a little bouncier than a 4" fork.

 

[ultrarunner]

Went through the same thing with our L3800

I wanted the light duty forks which my Kubota Dealer did not stock...

He said several have come back and none of the heavy duty ones... so I gave up a little lift payload and now have lifetime forks...

 

[rbtjr]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I will think about it some.

 

[George2615]

Can your L3800 loader lift more than 2200 lb.?
If not, buying longer, heavier forks will cut your lift capacity down lower.

That being said, I have 42" forks but mine are heavy duty SSQA forks sold for skid steers. I bought mine at a fork lift distributor. I would have bought lighter duty ones but the HD was the same price and had higher capacity (4000lb.). Yes, it may have cut my loader lift cap. by 100 lb. or so but I shouldn't be able to break them and can use them on larger tractors.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

My dealer has seen guys bend the light duty 42" forks and recommended the 4000lb 48" ones for me. If all you do is lift things you will be fine with the 42", but if you ever need to pry a rock out of the ground you will be happier with the HD forks.