anyone modify the Kubota forks to pick up brush etc??

[donn12]

My old tractor had a clamp on brush fork that was really good for small items and branches. My new tractor has the Kubota forks that I love but with only 2 big forks they don't do as well with loose debris. Has anyone added a brush grate or anything? I am thinking about trying to have a welding shop make something so any ideas or feedback would be appreciated.

I am thinking about 2 smaller forks outside and 1 between the two forks with spaces for the two big forks to slide through (one space at the front a few inches back and one at the rear).The big forks would do most of the work but the smaller ones wouldn't let stuff slip through. I also need to figure out how to keep the unit from sliding off so I can dump the debris. Am I on the right track?

 

[gwdixon]

Just go to a forklift repair shop and buy a couple of old forks that have the same dimensions as the Kubota forks (they are standard skidsteer if I recall correctly).

Then you will have 4 forks of the same size. Much better for moving brush with 2 set wide and the other 2 set to divide up the remaining space.

 

[donn12]

Do you mean that the mount i standard? I think these are 3ft long. They are supposed to be for the B3200 but the QA bolts right on to the B2x20 series.

 

[gwdixon]

Do you mean that the mount i standard? I think these are 3ft long. They are supposed to be for the B3200 but the QA bolts right on to the B2x20 series.

The QA forks on a M7040 are the same as a standard skid steer. I can't be sure about your model but taking some simple measurements and going to a forklift repair place will let you know what is available.

You could take off one of the forks and haul it there to match it up exactly. The 4' length is more common and would be better for something light like brush on a lighter tractor. Four of them would work perfectly.

Also, Ritchie Bros. Auctions sells lots of skid steer attachments that fit up to my tractor very well. They often have complete forks (mount & forks) as well. But they usually go for $300-$400.

 

[gwdixon]

Here are some photos of BX bucket forks (if you choose that direction) and a couple of skid steer attachments to give you an idea.

 

[Fxfymn]

The other option is to add a grapple to the pallet forks. By pinning the brush to the forks it seems to keep it from falling out.

 

[Toolguy]

I made this. It works pretty good.

 

[TDVT]

I used some fairly inexpensive bale spears (Agri Supply) for my set-up.

 

[donn12]

The spears from agri supply may be the ticket! I will contact them and see if they will attach to the fork unit I have. I could add two of these to my forks and have a great set up . Thanks

 

[donn12]

TDVT - is everything the spears attach to custom made? The black plate the forks attach to looks like its factory so if so tell me where you got them. I thought they were mounted to Kubota fork setup before I enlarged the pic. Thanks

 

[TDVT]

TDVT - is everything the spears attach to custom made? The black plate the forks attach to looks like its factory so if so tell me where you got them. I thought they were mounted to Kubota fork setup before I enlarged the pic. Thanks

I built the whole set-up as I don't have a quick-attach bucket. There's a thread around here with a few other pics somewhere.

The forks themselves use a "bushing" which is a pretty heavy-duty socket made for that particular spear. It has a tapered inside socket, so it gets quite rigid when it's tightened. The couplers are cheap ($7) & are welded (& gusseted) to the back side of 3" channel, which hooks over the top of the cross-member of the frame. I looked at alot of photos here for ideas. I just looked & don't have any pics of the back side of the forks but can take one if it would help. Since you already have a frame, I would just replicate the way the pallet forks attach & lock.

I constructed it like a fork frame so I can re-position the forks (or use only one or two) & also have pallet forks when I get around to making them. The frame also mounts on the 3PH though I've never used it back there.

I got the bale spear idea from someone else here & they've worked really well.