attachment question

[quackaddict]

I'm trying to decide if I should get a 3pt carry-all or some clamp-on/chain-on bucket forks. They are all pretty much the same price, I just don't know which would be a better buy. I won't be carrying a whole lot of weight...fence posts, a railroad tie or two, landscaping timbers, etc. I know that I would get a higher lifting capacity with the carry-all, but you don't have the tilt what you would with bucket forks. Any suggestions? Going on a B2920 BTW.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I don't know anything about the 3pt carry all but I have the chain on front forks. They are very handy. Guess there are plus's and minus's for either. I prefer looking ahead as I pick stuff up and seeing it in front of me. Also if you want to lift some thing off the back of a truck then only the forks would work. I believe the height lifting, looking forward instead of backwards plus tilt would push me to forks which is the choice I made. Here are a few pictures of uses for front forks. They are one of the handiest all around implements I own.

 

[gwdixon]

A carry-all doesn't seem to have the heavier metal construction that you might need. As pointed out, it is also less versatile.

I have a "carry-all" that is actually a couple of forks on a 3 PH frame that is very heavy duty - rated at 2000 pounds. Haven't seen them lately in farm supply stores or at dealers.

If you can pick up some used forks at a forklift repair place then you will have a good start. A welding shop can easily fabricate a set for you if you don't do welding.

I have made a couple of sets that work very well. The last set was using channel iron. Four forks were made so it could also be used as brush forks. (See first and fourth photo.)

You can also opt to have both the carry-all and the forks. That makes having a counterweight quite easy.

 

[quackaddict]

Thanks for the pictures. I was leaning towards the forks anyway, but these pretty much settled it for me.

JT- did you get your forks from yankee wearhouse by any chance?

 

[savageactor7]

quackaddict here's something for smaller projects.

I cobbled up this in less than 30min. The best thing about it is that you can hold your breath in the amt of time it takes mounting/dismounting. It just slides on.

here a set up for winter wood cutting and weight holder.

Here's a summer set up that allows the carrying if long handled tools ...freeing up your bucket.

forgot why I took this photo but the key to quick on/off and being held secure are 2 the slots cut into the left side of the board. Those slots slip into the 2 perpendicular flanges on each side of the PTO. Note the 2x4 right around the 8" tape marker. Make sure the 3PH is up all the way before you mark it's placement otherwise it'll be crushed.

In all the years I've used this nothing has fallen out but we're on level ground here. It's main advantage is that you can use the bucket and carry tools at the same time.

 

[quackaddict]

savage, that is a danged cool little contraption you've got there. I might have to make me one of those for sure.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thanks for the pictures. I was leaning towards the forks anyway, but these pretty much settled it for me.

JT- did you get your forks from yankee wearhouse by any chance?

Bought them from Barlows. During a visit it was buy another tractor or buy forks so I bought forks. No, really I had forks that used the SSQA on my L3240 and when I traded the L3240 to the B3200 I traded my old forks to these. Already had enough tractors anyway. Forks are really handy for general around the yard/lot/acreage tasks. Lifted a refridgerator off the back of a truck once. Moved a bunch of water/mud logged hay bales for my nephew once, he'd push them onto my forks with his BX2360 and then I'd haul them off. I also use them to push big rocks around my property. Lift under one edge and then push when they are to heavy to lift. Ets, etc, etc....

 

[newbury]

They are all pretty much the same price,

Depends a LOT on what you call the price, I've seen FEL Pallet forks going for $300 plus delivery, 3pt for more.
The yankeewarehouse look like about the least expensive ($130) FEL PF's before shipping.
I just bought a 3pt pallet fork, 2,000lb cap, class 1 from AgriSupply. They would have been $250 delivered, they were $150 at the store, and I had to go about 30 miles out of my way. But I definitely wanted the extra lift capacity from my 3pt (Lift capacity at lift point 1356lb) versus my FEL since I'm planning on lifting logs and I wanted to look at them before I bought them.

 

[DHD]

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

I've got one of these only because I didn't have a FEL on my B7800 at the time.
It's made from 3x3x1/4 angle iron and I'll lift all that my tractor can manage.
I still use my Carry-all but now that I have my FEL I would really like to have some front forks too.
I don't have a hyd. top link on my 3-point, so once the Carry-All is loaded, I don't have much control in curling the forks, so loading and unloading at different heights is sometimes difficult if not impossible, and I believe my lift height limit is under 2 feet.
I've been considering getting another carry-all, adding loader mounts, making it a loader attachment, which should increase my lift capacity, over bucket forks.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

I've got one of these only because I didn't have a FEL on my B7800 at the time.
It's made from 3x3x1/4 angle iron and I'll lift all that my tractor can manage.
I still use my Carry-all but now that I have my FEL I would really like to have some front forks too.
I don't have a hyd. top link on my 3-point, so once the Carry-All is loaded, I don't have much control in curling the forks, so loading and unloading at different heights is sometimes difficult if not impossible, and I believe my lift height limit is under 2 feet.
I've been considering getting another carry-all, adding loader mounts, making it a loader attachment, which should increase my lift capacity, over bucket forks.

Sounds like a plan if being able to adjust forks closer or wider doesn't matter. For me the ability to adjust widths has been more important than increased weight lifting.

 

[DHD]

I agree the abilty to adjust fork widths is a handy option to have and probably a more popular feature than weight carrying requirements.

So far, on my 3 point Carry-all, all I've hauled is fire wood, either on pallets, or wood racks that I've made. In pallet form it's about 750 - 800 pounds.
I'd like to be able to haul this with forks on the front loader too.
The weight limit for items in my bucket about 800 pounds (I've got a LA402 Loader)
I'm affraid bucket forks, extending my load further away from the loader pins, would over extend the loaders recommended weight capacity.
The carry-all, as a loader attachment, would keep my load closer to the loader pins, giving the advantage to carry more payload. Which would work good for me.

 

[gwdixon]

I agree the abilty to adjust fork widths is a handy option to have and probably a more popular feature than weight carrying requirements.

So far, on my 3 point Carry-all, all I've hauled is fire wood, either on pallets, or wood racks that I've made. In pallet form it's about 750 - 800 pounds.
I'd like to be able to haul this with forks on the front loader too.
The weight limit for items in my bucket about 800 pounds (I've got a LA402 Loader)
I'm affraid bucket forks, extending my load further away from the loader pins, would over extend the loaders recommended weight capacity.
The carry-all, as a loader attachment, would keep my load closer to the loader pins, giving the advantage to carry more payload. Which would work good for me.

I mounted a "carry-all" type of forks on a FEL and it didn't place the load any closer to the pins than a set of clamp on forks do. Not sure how you would mount it any closer unless the tractor has the QA bucket system.

BTW, the LA402 loader has a capacity of double the number plus another 10% (or multiply by 2.2). But who's counting.

 

[DHD]

I mounted a "carry-all" type of forks on a FEL and it didn't place the load any closer to the pins than a set of clamp on forks do. Not sure how you would mount it any closer unless the tractor has the QA bucket system.

BTW, the LA402 loader has a capacity of double the number plus another 10% (or multiply by 2.2). But who's counting.

Yes it would be a pin type QA bucket system, and I failed to have mentioned QA bucket system.
I did mention, using a carry-all as a loader attachment,
but I should have clarified that I'd remove the QA bucket and attach the newly modified
QA carry-all. I appoligize by getting ahead of myself.
Yes I've heard about doubling the loader number, as a rough guide to calculate lift capacity, I hadn't heard about adding an additional 10%.
I was estimating about 800 pounds lift capacity, by your guidelines it would be 884.4 pounds ?
My concern would be the 800 pound load thats on bucket forks, is out beyond the measurement point for the 800 or 884 pound.

 

[mikim]

I've got a QA on my FEL and I bought an attachment that connects to my QA then attaches 3 pt implements. I use it primarily to mount my carryall on the front. -- My vote goes to a set of forks vs a carryall.

 

[gwdixon]

The FEL number (LA402) idicates the lifting weight in kg. To convert it to pounds the multiplier 2.2 will do it. Mathematically it is the same as times 2 plus another 10%. Close enough.

The maximum load capacity is at the top of the lift so the reality is that to get a weight off of the ground it is probably quite a bit more. The tractor's relief valve will keep serious damage from occurring.

With a carry-all mounted to a QA plate it would act just like a standard factory QA fork lift. The lifting ability would be the same as the bucket - probably a bit more since the fork contraption would weigh less than the bucket.

The QA frames are quite reasonable at auctions. This one was purchased at Ritchie Bros. Auctions and a log carrier built on it. They have actions all over the world. An auction yard is only 20 miles away from my place. Maybe you can find something similar.

 

[johann]

Gwdixon,

Love the forks! I am going to try to make some for myself some time before spring.



Savageactor7,

I have same issue when I go out for wood, where to put tools and still be able to use bucket. I was thinking of doing something simular, but I was concerned about raising and lowering the 3pt .... how do you keep the wood from buckling?

 

[Goodluck w/ That]

I have a 3point carryall & haven't used it for years. I used it alot back in the day when it was all you had to lift something, not very high but better than nothing. Once you get a loader, the carryall day is done!! It's good to put a pallet on & carry things around like you would do with a Gator or something but if you already have a loader, you probaly want the forks.

 

[DHD]

The QA frames are quite reasonable at auctions. This one was purchased at Ritchie Bros. Auctions and a log carrier built on it. They have actions all over the world. An auction yard is only 20 miles away from my place. Maybe you can find something similar.

The cheapest frame and fork combination I've seen around here is about $500 used,
for a Skid Steer, and its heavy, and I 'd have to get it adapted to the Kubota Pin QA.

The new Kubota Pallet frame, for the Kubota Pin QA, is $544.00 at 145 pounds,
and the 36" pallet forks are $350.00 at 154 pounds.
Total $894.00 at 299 pounds. These are 6 year old suggested retail prices.
So with time and fluctuating steel prices, actual cost maybe differant now.
This is the Frame /Fork combination Kubota builds for the B7800 tractor with Pin QA.
I would think aftermarket frame/forks could be cheaper,
but probably about the same in weight.

The Carry-All is about $135 includeing tax at Tractor Supply,
and I'd have to adapt it to the Kubota Pin Qa also, less than $50.0O for me.
The Carry-All is rated to carry 1000 pounds and it weights only 75 pounds,
and maybe it would weigh 100 pounds after QA adapters are added.

I would be able to carry 199 pound more in payload by using the
Carry-all Qa compared to the Kubota frame/fork QA.
For me, payload is a bigger concern than adjustable forks.

I have been hauling my 16" firewood from the woods on
pallets/wood racks on my 3 point carry-all,
with a homemade rack on the front,
carrying buckets of sand for front end ballast.
Now that I have a loader with pin QA,
my plan was to use the Carry-all QA attachment to also haul firewood.
The wood on my 3 point carry-all would be ballast for the loader QA carry-all loaded with wood.
I know of another B7800 owner that uses 800 pound 3 point ballast with no problem.
I just got to make sure that I load the loader QA carry-all last and unload it first,
to insure my rear tires don't come off the ground.

 

[gwdixon]

Sounds like you have a good plan. Go for it.

My only issue is that fooling with the bucket and carry-all by taking it on and off could be discouraging to its use.

The channel iron, clamp-on, forks can be put together for less than $100 total. They weigh about 20 pounds each. They might be worth a try first to see if they will do the job before going into a full-blown project to adapt a carry-all to your QA.

The clamp-on forks can always be used for other projects if lifting cordwood at the extended distance is a problem. I don't think it would be given that a 1/4 cord of wood doesn't weigh enough to keep the lift from getting at least a foot off of the ground. Remember, the FEL weight rating is to the very top of the lift.

BTW, the frame used for the log lifter was $200 new. The last one of the eight at the auction went for $100. There are also the QA flat plates to be welded to whatever for $50-$100 new. They are the skid steer type so wouldn't do you much good.

 

[Northland]

I have TSC carry-all that I never use anymore as I find I like having the box blade on the back as a counter-weight and for trail maintenance.

My $1000 Tatro bucket grapple/WR Long electric valve kit has worked out to be the perfect front end tool along with my tooth bar. I thought about getting the Payne forks with logging attachments but the grapple is better for my applications-logs and rocks