Forks Bucket Forks

[Bird]

Alan, of course I made my forks with regular 4' forklift forks to go on the front of the bucket for my B2710. The forks weighed 90# each, so with my welding, I had an extra 200# on there. The biggest problem was that even with 4' forks, I had to stand up to see the front end of them when they were level, but they were certainly handy for moving brush piles, loading and unloading a 55 gallon fuel barrel in and out of the pickup, moving pallets of bricks (not more than about 150 bricks at a time on a pallet, etc.

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>I made my forks with regular 4' forklift forks</font color=blue>

I couldn't find the post where you originally posted the picture, Bird, but I thought maybe some folks reading this thread might like to see your (former) forks, so I've attached it again here.

<font color=blue>The forks weighed 90# each</font color=blue>

That's interesting 'cuz that's exactly what <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/2-38933-BucketForks.jpg>my li'l clamp-ons</A> weigh, too.

And yes, Alan, the clamp-ons are quite easy to transport. I haven't done any "trailerin'" yet, but I frequently just toss them in the bucket when I think I might need them at a remote work site on the property. Then I just have to be careful I don't accidentally bury them. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

 

[bubenberg]

i see i have an editor/pc knowlegable back-up ...... thanks

 

[Kodiak]

Try Rankin Equipment Company, out of Yakima,Washington. I beleive they made the clamp on ones like Harv. has. They won't sell directly to you, but they wil ltell where your nearest dealers are.

 

[Alan L.]

Well, Bird, I guess you "gave" those forks away with your 2710. I've wondered if I should invest in a welder, but then I need a cutting torch, band saw, etc etc etc, and I need to wire the shop for 240 volts.

If I knew where to get some like Harv's I'd probably do it. My dealer is supposed to be pricing that very set I think. Bet I can't get them for $350. Shipping alone for 180# is about $80 I think. You'd think some of the dealers would get some of these things along with brush hogs and box blades to save on the shipping. I'll bet they would sell a lot of them if they showed them on the lot, mounted on buckets. But the dealers around here think we tractor users are too STUPID to handle them.

 

[BTI]

It's not Stupidity it's Liability. We're a sue happy country Ya'know. /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>If I knew where to get some like Harv's</font color=blue>

Hey, Alan! I notice in another thread, similar forks to mine from a company called Rankin. Might be another source.

(Oops! I just notice that Kodiak already mentioned Rankin. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Oh, well, I also see now that you've already ordered some forks. Cool. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif)

 

[Alan L.]

Well I went ahead and ordered some bucket forks today. I found a set of clamp-ons from Blueline Mfg Co in Washington state. They are much lighter than the others I've seen at 90# for the pair. They are 32" long and have 1000# capacity. The picture resembles the ones Harv has, but apparently it his hollow or otherwise lighter material. My thoughts are that most of the use will be light duty, and whatever weight I save leaves more capacity for the loader anyway. They were $267 plus $52.50 shipping for the pair. I can't wait to get them in a week or so. I give a report at that time.

BTI, you're right about the liability and lawsuit happy society we have.

 

[Alan L.]

How full was the 55 gallon barrel when you lifted it into the truck? A full one of water would be somewhere around 500# diesel would probably be a little heavier you would think.

 

[Bird]

Alan, I had the barrel sitting on a small wooden pallet that was just the right size for the barrel, and it would be empty when I picked it up and put it in the truck, but then it would be full when I returned. And even though diesel is a little lighter (not heavier) than water, the full barrel, pump, and pallet were heavy enough that I was very careful in lifting it from the truck, backing away, letting it down close to the ground, turning around (180 degrees) and taking it into the shop. But the FEL had no problem lifting it. I did it once without any implement on the 3-point (not too smart, huh?) and found that it lightened the rear end of the tractor enough I had to shift to 4WD because the rear wheels were barely touching the ground and couldn't get any traction in the grass, even though the rear tires were filled with water and antifreeze.