B3030 Pallet Forks

asmithcars · Sep 10, 2006

I'm thinking of getting a set of 'bolt-on' pallet forks for my B3030 FEL. Can anyone direct me to a place where they are reasonably priced. Thanks in advanced.

Alan
(Woodstock, MD)

itsgottobegreen · Sep 10, 2006

Kubota makes a nice set that goes on the quik disconnect bucket kit. So you can pop off the loader bucket and pop on the forks.

I wouldn't get those clamp on forks, as the put to much stress on the bottom of the bucket.

MadReferee · Sep 10, 2006

Can you weld? Do you have a welder?

If so then I offer a free set of plans to build your own clamp-on forks and trailer hitch. Just PM me with your email address. I have distributed over 300 copies of these plans to TBN'ers and have built 6 sets myself from the plans.

MadReferee · Sep 10, 2006

itsgottobegreen said:
I wouldn't get those clamp on forks, as the put to much stress on the bottom of the bucket.

Really? Do you have some specific cases where that has happened? I have never heard of that.

I have built 6 sets for other people and have given out over 300 sets of plans and no one has ever complained that they put too much stress on the bottom of the bucket. Unless you overload the loader bucket, and it is possible with any type of forks, you will not have a problem.

itsgottobegreen · Sep 10, 2006

I have seen a bunce of buckets that the bottom was bend from forks. From small tractors up to wheel loaders. My new to me case 580E I am getting soon has bucket forks and the bottom of that bucket is bent.

Timber · Sep 11, 2006

I think that has a lot more to do with design and overloading the forks. Especially if it isn't the owner operator. I know my forks grab the bucket pretty far back & if I was even a little concerned with wt I could throw a chain on them.

itsgottobegreen · Sep 11, 2006

Well the other bad thing about clamp on forks is. They add 50-150lbs of weight. Plus puts the load another 12 to 18" inches out from the front of the bucket. Reducing the loaders load capacity big time.

MadReferee · Sep 12, 2006

itsgottobegreen said:
Well the other bad thing about clamp on forks is. They add 50-150lbs of weight. Plus puts the load another 12 to 18" inches out from the front of the bucket. Reducing the loaders load capacity big time.

Clamp-on forks weigh about 30 lbs or less each. But what you are saying applies to ANY type of pallet fork arrangement, whether it be clamp-on or quick attach. The QA forks weigh much more than the clamp-ons w/bucket.

Timber · Sep 12, 2006

I don't think anyone would disagree that a QT set up for pallet forks is a preferd choice by everyone but is is an expencive route to take for a lot of people especialy if they don't use them that much. Then if you allready have your tractor set up and then you want a QT its a diferent bucket + the QT & then the fork set and I know you can adapt a QT to an existing bucket but not everyone welds and paints. Clamp on forks are what works for most people and people like Mad are more than generouse with there plans and ideas