Clamp on forks vs skid steer QA fork question

[Dougster]

This is an excellent point... Do they make a quality economical lighter duty QA forks with ~1500-2000 pound capacity? Thanks to all for taking time to give their input... Chuck.

In fact, they *do* make pallet forks more suited to tractor FEL design and lift capabilities. Mahindra, for one, makes sets for both standard and QA-equipped FELs. I just didn't have time last week to get a price quote. However, my assumption is that they are not exactly inexpensive.

Dougster

 

[VA_Joe]

From what I found - the 4,000 lb rated skid steer forks (approx. 375 lb weight) run about $500 - $600 and the 2000 lb rated QA forks (approx. 250 lb weight) can run over $1,000 (supply and demand). For the 125 lb difference - the extra cost really isn't worth it (unless you are running right at the edge of your lift capacity).

My two cents.

Joe

 

[Dougster]

From what I found - the 4,000 lb rated skid steer forks (approx. 375 lb weight) run about $500 - $600 and the 2000 lb rated QA forks (approx. 250 lb weight) can run over $1,000 (supply and demand). For the 125 lb difference - the extra cost really isn't worth it (unless you are running right at the edge of your lift capacity).
My two cents.
Joe

Doesn't surprise me at all. Such is life when you own a compact utility tractor. Skidsteer parts almost always end up cheaper.

Dougster

 

[JRP]

IMO the most important thing you have mentioned is the quick steer hitch. It is wonderful, almost as good a s Speeco hitch. You probably could have your bucket modified for Bobtatch. It is simple to do, by welding on four strips of metal.

Once you have Bobtatch you have access to a lot more attachments, including rental stuff such as post hole diggers.

One other consideration: The metalurgy of forklift forms is much different than channel iron. They are very tough. You can also add some ears and make your Bobtatch forks also work on a 3pt hitch or better yet a Speeco hitch. With forks on the rear I have lifted my front tires by trying to lift something too heavy. Channel would have become scrap.

This is my forks which work on front or back. They use real forklift forks, not channel. Behind is a 300 gallon water tank I lift with 3pt speeco hitch to water trees.

You might look at POST YOUR PICTURES OF FORKS? in the Build It Yourself forum to see a lot of ideas for forks.

 

[Willie G]

I picked up a pair of Houle (Pallet Fork) bolt-on forks for $175 off that auction site...for the price they've done well - I can load them enough to pick up the back end of the tractor! For their intended use, they work well.

 

[hazmat]

From what I found - the 4,000 lb rated skid steer forks (approx. 375 lb weight) run about $500 - $600 and the 2000 lb rated QA forks (approx. 250 lb weight) can run over $1,000 (supply and demand). For the 125 lb difference - the extra cost really isn't worth it (unless you are running right at the edge of your lift capacity).

My two cents.

Joe

Bradco makes a lighter duty version - 2,000# capacity vs. 4,000# MSRP is approx $600

bradco compact attachmentd (pdf)

 

[Dougster]

Bradco makes a lighter duty version - 2,000# capacity vs. 4,000# MSRP is approx $600 bradco compact attachmentd (pdf)

Son of a Gun! Steve... have you actually seen these for sale anywhere around here? If so, please post or PM me and let me know where to look. This Bradco light duty set could be just the ticket for my needs!

Dougster

 

[GV40U]

I purchased a three point pallet fork (King Cutter, I think, from the local farm store) and a quick attach plate from a Bobcat dealership and had a co-worker who is an excellent welder attach the plate to the fork. With some carefull "eyeball engineering" we managed to have a set of forks that would fit the quick attach on my Kubota L3430 loader and still connect to the three point lift at the rear of the tractor. I think I ended up with a little over $300 using new parts, about $200 for the forks and $100 for the QA plate. Only downside is that the forks are fixed (not adjustable side to side) like on real forklift but I don't find that to be a problem any more than it would be for using them on the rear of the tractor moving pallets, etc. This worked out to be a really good compromise for me over spending $600-800 for QA forks with more adjustability.

 

[VA_Joe]

Bradco makes a lighter duty version - 2,000# capacity vs. 4,000# MSRP is approx $600

bradco compact attachmentd (pdf)

Wow - that's significantly cheaper than anything I could find when looking last year (although that is without shipping costs added in).

Joe

 

[hazmat]

woodbury tractor in CT has them listed for $564 on their website. I bought mine at Chappell tractor in Milford - don't have an exact price as they were part of my B3030 package.

to Joe's point regarding shipping. You want to buy from a "stocking" dealer - ie someone who buys this model in bulk, or you may add $150 in shipping costs... MB tractor only carried the heavy duty, I never did get a price on the lighter duty version. Here is bradco's regional sale's map (pdf) you could call the regional rep & find out which dealer may stock the light duty version.

Son of a Gun! Steve... have you actually seen these for sale anywhere around here? If so, please post or PM me and let me know where to look. This Bradco light duty set could be just the ticket for my needs!

Dougster