Bolt-on forks

[bx24d]

I'm thinking about buying some bolt on pallet forks for the FEL of my subcompact Kubota BX24 tractor. This would enable me to lift pallets holding my snow plow, wood pellets, other items and move them around. Looking at the medium duty models (2000lb capacity) at Northern Tool. My FEL lift capacity is listed by Kubota to be "518lbs 19.7 inches forward" and 992 lbs breakout force 19.7 inches forward".
Would like to know people's experience using these bolted onto FEL. I would imaging that controlling the dump angle takes a little getting used to (to keep your loaded pallet level). Also, is the stabilizer bar helpful in preventing shifting of the pallet forks or is it an unnecessary cost? I'm sure I'm not asking at lease ten other important questions.

 

[mcnitt]

I recently purchased bolt-on pallet forks rated for 2000# for use on my GL3430. I use them in conjunction with an FEL mounted grapple to pick up branches and other forrest liter on my 40 acres. I am please with them, but they will need some slight modification before I am totally satisfied. The problem is that a mounting plate (or pad) does not quite clear the blade on the FEL which prevents the fork from seating properly. Under use, the forks tend to pivot. The solution is no big deal: I just need to grind enough of the mounting plate away to get a good seat on the bucket.

I have used the forks to pick up a few pallets loaded with landscaping material. I'm no forklift operator, but I didn't have any problems picking up the pallets and putting them where I wanted them. On the other hand, I wasn't trying to load anything on a tall rack...

The forks let me pick up huge piles of branches, small trees or whatever. I paid $500 for them and am very glad I purchased them.

Good luck!

 

[DuaneW]

Not sure about the cost, but you would be better off buying a seperate pallet fork attachment for you loader, you will find out that the weight of something really grows as you move it further out. If the costs for bolt on forks is $500, then the $700 I paid for mine is a deal. Plus, if you have a quick attatch on the loader, then you can change bucket/Forks quicker then you can attatch the bolt ons.

DuaneW.

 

[Ranger Rick]

Are quick attach forks an option for you? If they are go that route. I have used both the bolt on type and the quick attach ones. The QA are much easier to use then the other. The bolt on ones can be a little difficult to get under a pallet because the tractor bucket sometimes obstructs the view of the end or the forks. The bolt on ones sometimes move around on the bucket no matter how tight you make the bolts. I would go with the quick attach forks if you can. I find them great to use.
Rick

 

[c-and-a]

This is what I use on my BX2350 - I have done pallet work, brush work, moved several objects like a 24' pool solar cover and reel - one of my most used attachments...

http://jswoodhouse.com/brochures/NSBFxls.pdf

I got mine at a local Kubota dealer for less than $400 with tax...

If you search the forum for clamp on forks - I think you will get several hits.

A long time member - Timber - turned me on to these...

 

[bx24d]

Those are some good thoughts, thanks. Does anyone know if QA system (for easy on/off forks) is available for the new BX24s?

 

[crazyal]

I have a set of forks I bought off eBay, the no frills clamp on type. Simply slide them onto the front bucket and tighten up the clamp. They have a chain that wraps around the back of the bucket and you use a load binder on each fork to tighten the chain up. I'm sure I paid around $150 for them. Trying to pick up a pallet on the ground is kind of difficult because you can't see through the bucket. Also if what your trying to pick up is out of level to the tractor one fork might be in the right place and the other is not.

If I was ever going to replace them then I would get something like the Atlas forklift forks (the ones that look like an "L") from Northern. On some of the larger equipment that I've used had forks like these that had a heavy steel tube welded to the top of the fork. They had a 1" to 1 1/2" steel bar that was a little longer than the maximum distance you would want the forks. On the bucket you welded (or bolted) 4 hooks made out of 1/4 to 3/8 thick steel spaced evenly across the bucket. The tube welded to the bucket was at least 3/8 thick wall. Simply slide the forks onto the bar (might want to grease the bar so they slide easily) then when you want to use them you simply drive up to them, curl the bucket down and pick the bar up with the hooks. As you level out your bucket the cutting edge hits the forks near the 90 degree bend in them. If needed a simple chain could be used to keep the forks close to the bucket if you needed to dump something off of them.

 

[bx24d]

Given the limited lift capacity of the bolt-on fork set up, the possibility that one might bend the front lip of the FEL with a heavy load, the inability to see the pallet slots from the operator's seat, would it make more sense to consider a three-point pallet fork set up? King of thinking out loud here.....and I see one advertised on Northern Tool website. (Unfortunately, QA skid steer type attachment is not available for the FEL of a BX24).

 

[8561]

I have both clamp ons for the bucket as well as three point forks. They serve very different duties for me. The fronts are nice for lighter loads and higher lifting. The rears I use mostly to move pallets of firewood for winter. If you're thinking in terms of moving pellets, you'll not be able to lift many on a pallet with a BX loader. I would warn you however, that rear forks are a little frustrating unless you have top and tilt. I have top and tilt, and it makes them much easier to use.

 

[bx24d]

Sorry, but what is a top and tilt?