Brush Forks

Bird · Jun 15, 2003

( Somethin' ain't right with that picture )

Either that or sumpin' wrong with my eyes. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I think it does look a lot like some of my own photographic experiments. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

dmartin88 · Jun 17, 2003

Ready to purchase some steel and make a set of forks for my BX22. I have a number of brush piles scattered on the property that I want to clean up.

Great excuse to purchase a welder and bought one yesterday (Millermatic 135). Looks relatively straight forward but one question, are the two forks built separately or are they connected with square tubing that you can't see in the picture. I'm thinking it will be best to make them separate so you can attach them to the tooth that works best for the application? My toolbar is due in on Thursday so will wait until I have it installed to go buy the materials but should be a fun project. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

uhmgawa · Jun 17, 2003

( Ready to purchase some steel and make a set of forks for my BX22. I have a number of brush piles scattered on the property that I want to clean up.
)

Do you plan on using replaceable hardened teeth for the fork
tips? If so have you found an economical source for such or
will you fabricate them?

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 17, 2003

Boone,

I like the idea of the 'pockets' alongside your forks to secure them to the teeth on your toothbar. One of my biggest concerns with bolt-on forks was keeping the forks relatively straight. It looks like you've solved that for me. Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

dmartin88 · Jun 18, 2003

I wasn't planning to use hardened or replaceable teeth. Figure I would just cut the tubing at an angle and mount a solid plate to keep any brush from getting caught in the tube. Don't think hardened teeth would come in to play as I'm only going to be lifting loose piles of brush. From looking at the pictures posted earlier in the thread, looks like that was what was doen on the original?

tom9961 · Jul 1, 2003

When I bought my bota I asked the dealer about some type grapple or something that would help pick up brush and the sort. He put me on to a grapple bucket from Long Mfg.; check at carverequipment.com. They show them. It required adding a hydrolic bypass to operate the grapples.
I don't remember what the added cost was at time of purchase, but it is absolutly the best implement I have ever used.
I use the bucket edge to push up the brush piles (slowly because I have stumps) left from timber harvest done several years before I bought the property. When I have the brush pile I again push trying to compress the pile while I roll the bucket over the pile after which I start closing the grapples, Boy can I pick up a load and when I drive it to my burn site I lose very little.
I think I have also seen add on grapples for your existing bucket. It may be costly but if you have a lot of brush and leaves that you need to clean and keep cleaned it is really a great tool

dmartin88 · Jul 4, 2003

Will post a picture tomorrow but almost finished a set of of brush forks like pictured in the earlier post. Didn't find any pipe to use as a pocket to hold the fork near a tooth bar so just tacked a 1" strip of 1/8" steel to hold them for a tryout. Forks were made from 2" tube, 3/16" thick, about 4 1/2 feet long.

Worked great, moved four or five piles of brush that were on my property, picked up some logs over 10' long without a problem. Should be a real useful tool and for about $30 of steel and some time, the price can't be beat (and also a great excuse to buy a welder)!

Will post a picture tomorrow, this is my first welding project so not pretty but it stayed together!