Bucket pallet forks

[paulsharvey]

I just ordered some bucket forks this evening for $85. I dont expect them to be a Good solution, but they are the cheap (and that means fast) solution. I had planned on picking up normal SSQA pallet forks; but wallet got light; and really wanted to start pulling crap out of the woods and hauling to scrap yard. Nothing super heavy; but 2 old riding mowers; 2 small 4 wheels; couple washing machines/driers; and a bunch of old half rotted demo lumber (old chicken coop).

Question is; does nobody make the old back hoe loader forks; had the 4 hooks on back of loader bucket; heavy rod; and forks that where supported both by the back hooks and the inside bottom of the bucket? I've never seen a pair on a tractor; and frankly, I dont think I've seen any new back hoes/rubber tire hoe/combination (whatever yall prefer to call them).

 

[old and tired]

Let us know how they work out...

 

[caver]

Have you included over the bucket forks in your description?

Bucket Forks | The Most Dependable Pallet Forks

For the tractor or backhoe owner, top mount bucket forks, or over the bucket forks, are an easy, effective, and cost-conscious way to put forks on your machine.

allproforks.com

Over-The-Bucket Forks - Forks - Star Industries

Add the convenience and versatility of a forklift to your loader with a Star Industries Over-the -Bucket Forks. Add and remove from the operator's seat!

www.starindustries.com

BUCKET FORKS PIN TYPE HOOK FORKPALLET FORKS TRACTOR CASE DEERE TELEHANDLER

Bucket Forks, Pin Forks, Pallet Forks, Tractor, Case Deere, Telehandler, Pin-Type Shaft Mount Forks, metal-solutions, loading, lifting,

www.best-metal-products.com

and many more when I was doing a search.

 

[paulsharvey]

I saw some of those; but they are only supported by the hooks; there used to be a type that sat in the bucket; so you had support both on the bottom and the top.
Either way; they don't seem like an economical option compared to regular SSQA forks. Maybe good for non quick attack buckets.

Maybe I'm just misrembering, and they didn't sit in the bucket and only hung from the hooks... or maybe it was something fabriccobbled by a contractor for their specific use.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Be careful with those, you run the risk of really boning your bucket.

So long as you're providing proper attention you'll be fine all day long, just don't get into auto pilot.

 

[kenmbz]

I have similar clamp on, but I got the bar that goes between them to keep em straight. Could duplicate this DIY. Found mine were not too useful with out.

Keep loads as far in towards the bucket, an into the bucket where possible.
A few people pushed too far and got smiley buckets.

I have been able to move some big items without issue so far (see my avatar)

 

[r porter]

the stabilizer bar is just about a necessity because the forks will not stay straight. a chain over the bucket on each fork tightened with a binder makes the forks fairly safe and keeps them from getting loose.

 

[paulsharvey]

Ones I ordered do come with stabalizer bar. I ordered the smaller, 30" ones; hoping I wouldn't be tempted to have something at the very end of a 42" lever, already almost 24" beyond the pins. If you ever order from Vevor,(which I have several times) it can be confusing when you order the 30" variety of the 42" forks; and the description doesn't change. I also bought a 7"x14" metal lathe from them about 5 months ago, for $300 (and they had probably 3 flavors, all at different prices, and same description), and a 36"x72"×12" metal garden raised bed for wife.

I know the "Tool Bear" just did a video, basically saying they are a shady, copy right stealing cover company, but... so far I've been happy.

 

[Mrsig]

I got some 3K bolt on and I use them for way more than moving pallets.

 

[diesel85]

I've got the bolt on forks too, and they are super handy for things other than pallets.

 

[paulsharvey]

I've got the bolt on forks too, and they are super handy for things other than pallets.

I'm primarily going to be using them for stuff other than pallets. Scrap metal; debris; pulling fence posts; totting new posts to location; ect.

I did see a 'skeleton' bucket for $600 locally, SSQA, that I considered; but after dropping the cash on new tractor, new truck battery, other stuff; I figured I wouldn't push the wife's patience too much right now.

 

[paulsharvey]

Got the Vevor bucket forks today. After just 2 hours of use; my general impression: they are worth the $85; and they beat the heck out of trying rig chains or straps over the bucket to try to pick up weird stuff; But they are a bit of pain in the butt. Even with the support bar, you can't have Any side load of the forks or they go cross eyed. Don't know how much anything I lifted weighed; but it was as much as I would want to. 2 seat Tao Tao go cart, 2 mowers, a big commercial stainless cooler, pile of underground primary power wire ect.

Not a replacement for a SSQA forks; but I would buy again at $85.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I'd say that's a pretty reasonable review. What would you rate out of 5 stars? 4?

For $85 it seems you got your dollars worth.

 

[paulsharvey]

I'd say that's a pretty reasonable review. What would you rate out of 5 stars? 4?

For $85 it seems you got your dollars worth.

It's probably 4 stars, but I feel like I had pretty balanced expectations, and for the most part, it meets those expectations. If I had bought them with an expectation of being the same as true forks, but at 5-10% the cost; I would have been disappointed.

 

[kenmbz]

The stabilizer on mine slips over the forks , looks like this one is on the top of the mounts?
$85 and does the job, seems like a good bargain.

 

[hube2]

I have a similar set as well. I can say that I find them better then not having them, but hard to use. Difficult to see them through the bucket, difficult to get get them level. Not great for precision work like loading or unloading my mower deck on/off my small trailer from the side when I ended up bending the crap out of one of my fenders. But overall better than having nothing.

 

[paulsharvey]

Getting this stuff out was worth $85. Now, I'm not above alternating, welding, cutting, ect on it. I feel like $85 gives me a good starting place, and I can work from there. If you wanted 'turn key' I would probably go a diffent direction.

If it was $200 for these vs $600 for used proper forks; I'd probably spend the $600.

 

[paulsharvey]

We got the first load hauled to scrap yard. It ended up as only 2200 lbs of scrap on that load, but the forks where a Huge help loading it. Got probably 1 more load of general ferrous metal scrap; and then about 400 lbs of aluminum wire to haul off.

Maybe got 200 lbs of electric motors as well; that will be a separate trip.

Ferrous is a lot of work for $5/100 lbs; and although I Could load it with sons help; I probably wouldn't have gone though the trouble.

 

[paulsharvey]

Probably the heaviest thing I've used it for is an old JD riding mower.

 

[shooterdon]

I had a similar set when I had the old JD855. Sure better than nothing.

When I got the LS I went with proper forks and there is a world of difference.