Bent front end loader brush rake.

[tomfifield]

I got this unit as the cost was good but it is made from soft steel and the tines bend. I do some tricks to try to straighten them out but the are never the same. I have a lot of brush to move with over 400 trees down and I want to be able to pick up logs as well. Does any one have any recommendations of a good set that will hold up? I have a Kabota 3400 and I could use a 4' or 5' rake. Thanks for any help. this is the one I got now it shows it picking up a big log but they must have rolled it on to the forks as if you hit the dirt they may bend.

 

[IslandTractor]

That brush rake is not designed to move 1000lb objects. It is meant to move piles of brush that probably weigh a max of 200lbs at a time. You need a proper grapple.

 

[Deere Dude]

Nice looking but I wouldn't waste my time trying to keep them straight. Either get forks or a grapple seeing you got a ton of trees to deal with.

I made a set of brush teeth sort of like yours only it was pretty heavy. After I put down force on the bucket it bent about 20 degrees. After a couple missteps with the bucket, it bent bad enough to go in the scrap pile.

 

[teg]

A tooth bar will help (a little) but with 400 trees... even with a full size grapple, you got a heck of a job a head of you. You planning to pile and burn? Chip / mulch them? How many acres are you talking about and what type of terrain? I don't think I would attempt that size of cleanup with my setup.

 

[EddieWalker]

Before getting my grapple, I tried bolt on forks like that. Just like you have found out, they are very light duty and prone to damage. The problem is that after you fix them, they will just bend and twist again. Every time you fix them, they bend more easily after each repair.

Same thing happened with pallet forks. While stronger, they allow movement, which leads to problems.

Consider getting a grapple, they really are worth whatever the cost and effort it takes to make it happen!!!

 

[arrow]

Well I don't know what yours are made of but after you attempt to straighten them out once more, you would then need to weld a half round across the bottom front to tie in all the rest of the tines. Did this to a set I made that was cut from 1" square stock and before I did so, bent them as you did. Now they can pick up a 1500 lb stem with no problem.
It might also help to tweak the tips upward on a bending machine at your local weld shop for additional strength.

 

[tomfifield]

I am going to get a grapple put on my tractor, I have way to much work to do not to. Called my dealer and will get a Landpride one installed.

 

[tomfifield]

That is a good idea I think I will do that. I have decided that with hundreds of trees down and many more acres to work for years to come I will get a grapple.

 

[tomfifield]

Thanks for the help all.

 

[EddieWalker]

I am going to get a grapple put on my tractor, I have way to much work to do not to. Called my dealer and will get a Landpride one installed.

Nice to have the dealer do it. Mine was quite a project to make happen, but in hind site, I only wish I had done it sooner!!!!

 

[topbuilder]

I got this unit as the cost was good but it is made from soft steel and the tines bend. I do some tricks to try to straighten them out but the are never the same. I have a lot of brush to move with over 400 trees down and I want to be able to pick up logs as well. Does any one have any recommendations of a good set that will hold up? I have a Kabota 3400 and I could use a 4' or 5' rake. Thanks for any help. this is the one I got now it shows it picking up a big log but they must have rolled it on to the forks as if you hit the dirt they may bend.


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Over working that set-up will destroy your bucket.

 

[tomfifield]

Over working that set-up will destroy your bucket.

I think you are right, another good reason to get the right tool for the job.

 

[tomfifield]

I think you are right, another good reason to get the right tool for the job.

I went to the dealer and ordered the unit. I also have to upgrade my FEL to a use the quick change mount, and this means I also bought a new bucket. It cost me a bit but I think the convininse will be worth it. Thanks all for your input you helped me make up my mind to do things the right way.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Often you get what you pay for. Having said that, I have seen the highest quality stone forks bent. I borrowed one years ago and thought I would straighten some bent tines in my appreciation of borrowing it. Forget it, I couldn't do it and wondered how he bent them with a NH SS in the first place.

 

[tomfifield]

I went down and ordered it from my dealer and just as I was afraid I need to put the universal skid steer system on the FEEL arms. This also means a new bucket. It will cost extra but having a quick change system is a blessing in disguise.

 

[Btown]

I went down and ordered it from my dealer and just as I was afraid I need to put the universal skid steer system on the FEEL arms. This also means a new bucket. It will cost extra but having a quick change system is a blessing in disguise.

You could still use your bucket. You can cut off the ears that connect to the loader and weld on a quick attach plate. That what I did when I put a SSQA on my loader. Plate was around $100.