Bent Forks

[pajoube]

Any one have suggestion for getting my forks back in line? After many hours of all types of work (abusing) would like them to line up again.
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

I bent mine a couple of times, too. I heated up the bent area with a cheap propane torch(the little torches that you put on small propane bottle, like plumbers use) for about 5 minutes, then beat the heck out of it with a sledge hammer. It is now close enough that you can't tell they were bent.

Sometimes I wonder if by heating it, I took some of the strength out of it. It never got red, just warm, but I'm no expert when it comes to steel strength. It seems to be fine, now.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

[Piedmont3]

I don't know anything about heat and metal strength. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I would say you could use a very large tree with a very large hydraulic jack to possibly press them back into shape.
Somebody posted a few weeks ago a picture of something pressed between 2 trunks of a tree using a hydraulic jack to straighten it.

 

[NJBill]

Not a whole lot of help Paul, but the right double trunked tree could be a great help with this one. Remebering that the PT bent it, maybe your 480lb rock could be of some assistance ! ?
It's at times like this, when start reminiscing. As a kid, a couple of years ago ! the local blacksmith cured all these kind of ills, and yes MR, without changing the temper. I would probably make the same effort as MR, thats about the extent of my equipment. I know someone will send you a good fix. All the best.
Bill

 

[pajoube]

Thanks guys, good advise. The heat idea is very good and the idea of using my 1 1/2 ton rock is very good also. Will try the rock first and let you know.
PJ

 

[BobRip]

I bent one of the arms on the grappling bucket once. I took a comealong and put tension on it. Then I heated it with an actylene torch. I think the propane torch might do it also. I like this better than the hammer. When you get it right, cool it with water and that will add some temper back I think. I am not an expert in metal working. I am an electron pusher by training, not a black smith. Good luck and let us know what works and what does not.

Take care, but not all of it,

Bob Rip

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any one have suggestion for getting my forks back in line? )</font>


<font color="red"> Recently I lifted a heavy load with just the right fork bending it down about 2" lower than the left fork!
I lifted the load again with the left fork until it aligned with the right fork. Problem solved!!
Next time I'll use both forks for heavy loads!!</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[pajoube]

That's what I was thinking - using my large rock.
Snowed this morning so will wait until it warms up and dries out.
PJ

 

[MossRoad]

I tried bending mine back in the up direction with the tractor, but couldn't figure out how. The tractor comes off the ground before the forks bend up. I ended up putting a little down pressure on the tips on some boards on the driveway(didn't want to gouge the asphalt) and then heating and whacking them with the big sledge hammer(use ear plugs).

 

[pajoube]

That must have been a big hammer /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[MossRoad]

I've never weighed the sledge. I think it is 8-10 pounds. But that was enough to make a very loud metal on metal noise that will damage you ears. The heat really made the difference(I tried beating it without heat and it would not budge). After I got it to the shape I needed, I sprayed it down with cold water to completely cool it fast. I think that makes it harder. I may have to read up on that again....

After reading a bit, I think I did the right thing. If it seems to be softer than before and bends easier, I will heat it up, bend it back, then really heat it up and quench it in a tub. That should do it. But it seems fine for now.

 

[pajoube]

Thanks David,
I assume you heated the area of each fork next to the plate.
I am getting ready to build a manlift to trim the hedges I planted last summer. The front side has the slop and I can not get a foot grip to trim.
This makes it necessary to get the forks close to level.
PJ

 

[Schultz]

I'm not sure the rock will bend it back in the same place. When you first bent it, the steel at the bend is now "work hardened", it won't likely bend in that area again unless it cracks from too much work hardening.
My suggestion is heat and a come-a-long or heat and your big rock. If you want to harden it, water quencing may make it too hard and brittle, oil quencing provides less hardening than water, and compressed air provides less hardening than oil.

Let us know how it goes and what worked.
Tim

 

[MossRoad]

<font color="blue"> I assume you heated the area of each fork next to the plate. </font>

Only the left fork bent down. The right one stayed put. And it bent in kind of a curve starting about a foot out from the plate. I had to heat and beat in an area about a foot long to get it flat.

 

[pajoube]

Did it take allot of heat in a large area before you could bend it?
Looks like sore arm coming up. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
PJ

 

[pajoube]

Most of the heavy work with the forks is about over. Use should be in the 3 to 4 hundred pound area. If I lose some of the hardening it should still be ok.
Will post on how it comes out.
PJ

 

[Gravy]

According to Scott @ PT, the forks are just mild steel. Heat treating should not be an issue. You can probably just bend them back and not worry about it. Good luck!
Gravy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[J_J]

I sure am sorry that you guys are bending those forks, the people at PT must not know the abuse that we put our equipment through.

I decided to build my own, and came up with this, and you could do the same and never bend another fork. Just about any forklift repair place would have a 16 in carriage and forks of different lengths. The units with quick attach only need to weld a quick attach on to the back of the carriage. and the people like me that have the three tab hook up, need to weld the three lifting tabs on the back of the carriage. Worked out real nice for me and is adjustable. It may weigh a little more, but most of the forks are rated for 3000 lbs and above.

 

[FOURTEEN]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( That must have been a big hammer /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>




<font color="red"> "If it don't go, force it! If you can't force it, get a bigger hammer!!"


Actually the best tool you have is your head!! Think about it!! </font>

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

<font color="red"> "If it don't go, force it! If you can't force it, get a bigger hammer!!" </font>

Corollary: For every job there is the proper tool -- it is a hammer.