Forks Bucket Forks

MrP · May 6, 2002

have you tried them yet? http://www.arrowforklift.com/fast-parts-tips.html. this outfit comes up in many discussions on various landscape sites.
another site is:http://www.brbucketforks.com.
or:http://www.ssbtractor.com/page23.html

http://www.arrowforklift.com/fast-parts-tips.html

http://www.ssbtractor.com/page23.html

Alan L. · May 6, 2002

gotrocks - did you build those? Looks like a very good design.

gotrocks · May 6, 2002

Alan, go to this address and it should show my original description.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/show...80931

I had a friend give me the actual forks from a fork lift truck.
Got a couple of pieces of 2x4 thick wall hollow tube and a couple of other flat pieces and an old discarded round shaft. Would like too have had a little larger diamiter but this works. I have cut 2x4 treated pine as stakes to extend the top of the forks. I tip the bucket forward ease up to the forks and roll the bucket back and they are on. I have since added a tooth bar and the forks still work fine. Just holler if you want more info.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/show...80931

gotrocks · May 6, 2002

It happened again, tried to edit my post and all bytes stopped going or coming. The address was not complete.

Let's see if it's all there with this:

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=implement&Number=80931&Search=true&Forum=All_Forums&Words=gotrocks&Match=Username&Searchpage=2&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=80931>You showed me your forks now let me show you mine</A>

That looks more like it.

Well it does run off the screen but I forgot how to fix that.

Alan L. · May 6, 2002

Thanks gotrocks, I went back to the original post and looked at the forks. You should put those on the market. Unfortunately I don't own a welder and its been 30 years since I used a welder. I was in high school ag.

Alan L. · May 7, 2002

Well, my dealer called Gearmore about their smallest quick attach bucket forks (1200#) and its $700 with the hooks welded on the bucket. WOW!

I guess I need to go with one of the clamp on varieties. I like the looks of the ones Harv has. Is the side to side movement a problem? Also, seems these are Gearmore you have. You said you paid $350 I think - wonder how much more they would be here in Texas.

Harv · May 8, 2002

Is the side to side movement a problem?

Only when you put lateral stress on them with the tractor -- like when you make a turn too close to a tree (don't ask how I know

). In other words, they won't move side to side under normal circumstances, doing normal forklift stuff.

You said you paid $350 I think

Yup.

wonder how much more they would be here in Texas

I wonder, too. Although based in California, Gearmore does have distributors around the country, so I guess it all depends how close you are to one of them.

Also, there are other brands out there, even though I can't tell you what they are at the moment. Carver Equipment used to carry some, but I can't find them on their current web site. Might be worth an email.

Alan L. · May 8, 2002

I got a price of around $300 for the #1500 quick attach forks from www.arrowforklift.com, but the shipping is probably considerable. These are the ones, you recall, that have 3 mounting brackets that have to be welded on the bucket, and a shaft fits in the 3 hooks and the forkes are L shaped.

I just thought of one other issue. I will need to use these forks at other locations (my Mother's property) which means I will have to trailer the 2710. The quick attach forks appear too large to fit on the trailer with the tractor, and if mounted on the bucket would probably hit the towing vehicle. Maybe I could point them in the air?

Whereas the clamp-on, while a bit heavy, could be laid on the trailer with the tractor and mounted when I get there. Plus, based on what Harv is telling me, the side to side movement is probably not a problem. Really the difference is the increased vertical length on the quick attach, and the ability to mount/unmount from the tractor seat. The clamp-ons don't appear that difficult to install either, so thats probalby not a big factor. Plus the clamp-ons would appear to be more portable, and don't require welding on the bucket.

Those with the quick attach, has there been a problem with trailering?

Thanks for all the help guys.

gerard · May 8, 2002

Just my two cents but I would go for the ones Harv has for the following reasons:
1. 1500 lb capacity is kind of unnecssary on a loader with 800 lb lift capacity.
2. the heavier the forks themselves the less your total lift cpacity will be.
3. the clamp ons seem pretty easy to put on/off
4. no welding of brackets needed to use
5. cost is a lot less than heavy duty forks which, as previously mentioned cannot be used to capacity anyway on a compact loader.

Alan L. · May 8, 2002

I think I'm convinced that the clamp-ons are the way to go, if for no other reason, the weight. Right now I'm having trouble even finding these kind. Two dealers, including my own are telling me that I don't want forks because with the extension out front of the 2710 they won't pick up much, and I will probably hurt myself. Nobody around carries them, or wants to sell them.

I'm aware that the capacity is reduced considerably, but mainly what I want to carry is brush and logs that aren't too heavy. Surely I can carry 200 - 400 pounds of that with my loader. Most of the time it won't even be anywhere near that much weight that I try to carry.

Anyway, I'm going to call my dealer back and have him call Gearmore again and get a price the clamp-ons.

I called CTI, who has a 1000# model, but they say the 2710 is too small for them.

Maybe I'll have to have them made.