Bucket forks

[Bob_K]

Had some time this week to make a set of forks that attach to the bottom of my loader bucket.
These are made from 5 inch wide C-channel
55 inch's long
36 inchs out from the front edge of the bucket
The top bracket is a 3 inch wide piece of C-channel and a 1/2 plate on top of that from the 5/8 bolt to hold it in place.
Also added a piece of flat stock to the top rear of the forks to help keep them level with the lower side of the bucket.
Here are a few picutures

 

[Bob_K]

Forks attached to the bucket

 

[Bob_K]

front view

 

[Bob_K]

view from the drivers seat

 

[Freds]

Nice job, Bob!
I would have angled the leading edge the other way, so it digs under better when the fork is flat on the ground, but they are 100% better than my nonexistent bucket forks. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[ronjhall]

OK! Please do not tell me you took that picture while sitting in the seat. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
No wonder Bob Skurka likes his TC24D. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bob_K]

I would have angled the leading edge the other way, so it digs under better when the fork is flat on the ground,

You know I thought about that, But My thinking was that I am able to tip the bucket down if I needed to get under something. If I need to add a V point to the front tips its only a Mattar of a couple of bent a weld job.

As for me sitting in the seat and taking that picture. Yes I was!
I just leaned forward with the loader raised about 2 feet and the bucket tilted all the way back.

I had time today to grind the edges and put a coat of paint on them.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Nice looking forks!
Is all of the load held up by the bolts? You might get more strength by adding an element to make the leading edge of the bucket fit more snugly so the load is carried there and the bolts just keep the forks on the bucket. I'll try to attach a crude sketch. the spacer element is in <font color="red"> red </font> .

Brad

 

[Bob_K]

Brad
I did have a 1 inch round stock weldeed in there to help saport the front eage. lets see if I find the piture of that.