Buying Advice Advice for purchase of pallet forks for 2720

beenthere · Oct 13, 2009

I'd agree with the "fixed" tines. I see limited use if they were floating.

One use of forks for me is when in the woods, and taking down dead limbs hanging over the paths/woods roads. Down pressure on the forks is what allows this to work. Digging up trees, rocks, slabs of lime rock, etc. are other uses needing fixed tines.

hanson1999 · Oct 13, 2009

get the fixed and don't look back..... so much more uses for fixed and you'll get used to running them with pallets in no time at all.....

i would not even consider floating.......if you need floating tines to hook/unhook pallets you prolly shouldn't be doing that kind of work in the first place....just my opinion

turbo36 · Oct 14, 2009

After hearing all the uses ( mis-uses) of "Pallet" forks , I guess we really can't call them pallet forks any more. How about "battering rams" or "tree/rock popper-uppers" or "post pullers"

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Seriously, I have used my floating forks for all these uses without any problems. I haven't tried to move the boat trailers with them because I have a rear quick hitch on the three point.

The advantages of floating forks that I see are; they work very well to move pallets and other objects on uneven terrain, they weigh less, they are infinitely adjustable for width and they adjust easier, they come apart for storage.

An interesting story as to why I have a fixed set; I sold a 4410 a few years back to a landscaper and he borrowed my forks to move the snowblower that went with the tractor package. Well, he liked them so well he wouldn't give them back and had the local dealer deliver a new set to me , unfortunately all he could get at the time were fixed forks so that's what I got.

radman1 · Oct 14, 2009

turbo36 said:
After hearing all the uses ( mis-uses) of "Pallet" forks , I guess we really can't call them pallet forks any more. How about "battering rams" or "tree/rock popper-uppers" or "post pullers".
Seriously, I have used my floating forks for all these uses without any problems. I haven't tried to move the boat trailers with them because I have a rear quick hitch on the three point.

The advantages of floating forks that I see are; they work very well to move pallets and other objects on uneven terrain, they weigh less, they are infinitely adjustable for width and they adjust easier, they come apart for storage.

I think all of the misuses is why I like the fixed. The fixed are just as adjustable as the floating. I almost never lock my fixed forks in place. Just isn't needed. The floating are easier to adjust the width but my fixed are greased on the rails and also adjust relatively easy.
The tines of my fixed are easily removed. There is a slot in the middle that will release the bottom of the tine and lifts right off. I never take the tines off. That is the beauty of pallet forks, there is always something to slip the tines under or put the tines against something and therefore take up much less space.
The floating will come out of a pallet easier if the pallet is not level to the loader. However, floating won't let the tines back in the pallet any better.

turbo36 · Oct 14, 2009

radman1 said:
. However, floating won't let the tines back in the pallet any better.

I come in to the pallet at a slight angle with the high side fork just entering the pallet, then I lower the forks so the low side is able to enter and drive right in. Works like charm!

radman1 · Oct 14, 2009

turbo36 said:
I come in to the pallet at a slight angle with the high side fork just entering the pallet, then I lower the forks so the low side is able to enter and drive right in. Works like charm!

I could see that working better than a fixed fork but I can also do that to a certain degree with fixed tines. The other reasons far outweigh floating tines. Sales of fixed tines have to be vastly greater than floating tines. I can't think of any major skid steer company that sells floating tines. Probably someone does. The only reason I have floating tines, is because they cost me $200. Cheap back up set. Does the pallet fork industry have it all wrong with the fixed tine concept?

turbo36 · Oct 14, 2009

radman1 said:
I can't think of any major skid steer company that sells floating tines. Probably someone does. floating tines, is . Does the pallet fork industry have it all wrong with the fixed tine concept?

This is turning into a "tastes great / less filling" argument

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You make a good point though about what is more common, I googled "floating pallet forks" and came up with at least 10 companies that offer them - mostly they say they best for use on uneven ground.

My point is if he can get a good deal on the floating forks he should go for them, if not order in the fixed type.

North585 · Oct 14, 2009

Great discussion everyone. Thanks!

I ordered the fixed Frontier forks today.

I had to chuckle about the thought that my dealer had a floating set that he coudn't sell...so I was the chance to unload them. You should come see my dealer's lot...excellent to deal with and honest as the day is long, but I think the total new JD inventory totals about three CUTs and 8 riding mowers!Every item on my signature line has been bought from him...and every item was ordered in

Deadman · Oct 16, 2009

Just be sure you don't get a super heavy set, because it will just make your loader capable of lifting that much less.
I sold my previous set, because they were way too heavy.