bucket forks

[MDSteve]

Everyone,
This will be my first attempt at making/having made an attachment for the tractor and need some help. I have found a pair of used fork lift forks and would like some ideas on how to use them with my current bucket. I know you guys are good but without a welder I am going to take it to a shop to get them to weld it for me.

I am open to any and all ideas.

Thanks for the help

Steve

 

[hazmat]

Do a search. Several post here regarding DIY bucket forks. You're in a good starting position w/ the fork lift forks.

 

[JRP]

ebay is also a good place to look for pictures. The trick setup I have seen for use with a bucket is as follows: Hope you can follow.

1. You will need your forks,
A piece of round cold rolled steel (CRS) about 1.5" dia and the width of your bucket, two pieces of thick wall pipe with the inside made or bored about 0.050 larger than the CRS bar and each just longer that the fork width (say, 5" long ea.) , three pieces of heavy angle iron about 6 x 6 x 3/8".

The pipe pieces weld to the top of the fork, hole parallel to the bucket. The bar goes through the pipe. It is a free standing assembly that never falls over and you won't have to handle. When you unhook, it stays upright. Tack weld the bar ends so the bar does not slip out. Forks can slide on the bar to adjust width. The angle is used to make hooks that attacch (weld) to the top of the bucket. To pick up the forks tilt the bucket all the way forward (dump), drive up to and under the bar, and tilt the bucket back so the hooks grab under the bar.

I don't care for the forks that strap to the bottom of the bucket, also sold on ebay. Lots of work and you get all muddy handling them. No need to touch them. No strained back.

Wish I had a photo of what I mean. Here is a photo of my forks when part way finished. Turned out to be a lot of work, but then I don't have a loader so had to make it 3pt. I can lift the front of the tractor with them.

 

[Hoeman00]

Don't forget when adding bucket forks, this WILL greatly reduce
your lift capacity and your ability to see the forks.
I have this style on a 410 & 710 JD hoes.
I built a set of forks for my SSL quick-tach.
Did u get only forks or the complete assy.?
Look at your bucket attachment points, u should be able to get a pc of
steel tube (maybe 2x5") and cut in half then drill mount holes for loader frame.
This will weld to back of face plate w/ forks.

 

[gotrocks]

Steve,
I assume your bucket is similar to mine on 2910. If you will check my old post titled "You showed me your forks now let me show you mine" or something like that I have a couple of pics showing my setup. It has worked very well for me.
Being able to vary the distance between forks is a great advantage. I still plan to devise a way to keep the forks from swinging out when max height and attempting to dump. Now I have to jiggle a little sometime to get the load off.
Good luck.

God Bless US All! Norris

 

[MDSteve]

Thanks for the help everyone. I will take some pics as the project progresses.

Steve

 

[OkieG]

MDSteve,

If you're looking for ideas, try this thread:

Post Pictures of Your Forks?

Sorry, I can't get the hotlink shortcut function to work.
Alot of folks posted pictures of their forks and the variety of solutions will give you plenty of food for thought.
Good luck!

OkieG