Clamp on or stand alone pallet forks ?

[motownbrowne]

The shorter forks are lighter, and have less weight further out, which will increase your capacity. They are cheaper too. The kioti loaders are known for high capacity, though so I'm sure you'd be fine either way, especially because firewood is relatively light. I have heard some folks say they like the extra six inches, but you should be able to pick pallets up either way. Of course pallets do vary a little in size. Maybe you should measure some you have on hand. I'm picking up a 42" set when my tractor comes home on Saturday.

 

[hslogger]

tis a no brainer here. QA forks win hands down. Decide on the length and you won't regret it. When you get to wanting to change your width for different applications, you will be real happy. You will have better vision, better capacity and you will have two units that you can switch back and forth to with two levers,pretty durn tootin quick and with little effort. I have Land Pride 2100lb capacity and they are first class.

 

[dragoneggs]

This is a great thread topic... been wrestling with this myself. I have a little BX so I am sure a QA fork would give me much more capacity so that is a big plus... But. I am doing lots of landscape work and am moving landscape blocks at the same time as needing to move dirt to back fill block walls. I know I won't be able to move many blocks if they I am using clamp on forks but I would be switching back and forth quite often. As it is I am moving blocks from pallets into my FEL bucket at about 6 at a time (about 88lb each). Not sure if I would be able to move many more on a pallet if I don't remove the bucket. On the other hand, I would be trying to QA the forks and bucket on relatively uneven ground often. Wondering if the QA and forks are worth it for me. The clamp on forks would also be great for the brush I am moving to burn piles. Don't really need dedicated forks for that. If I had a bigger tractor I think the QA would be a no brainer but for my needs... I don't know.

 

[two_bit_score]

I use set of quick attach pallet forks more than the bucket. I think changing from bucket to forks is quicker with the quick attach on the loader than changing out the individual forks on a bucket, no tools needed and stronger.

+ one more!

Especially : and stronger!

 

[dragoneggs]

I use set of quick attach pallet forks more than the bucket. I think changing from bucket to forks is quicker with the quick attach on the loader than changing out the individual forks on a bucket, no tools needed and stronger.

Even working in the dirt (uneven ground)??? This is my big question.

 

[k0ua]

Even working in the dirt (uneven ground)??? This is my big question.

They don't have to be on perfectly even ground to hook up. Approach the low side to make contact first.. Get the low side hooked and start to lift when it is level start to push and slide up and get the other side hooked up.. It is pretty easy. Does level ground make it a little easier?, Yes but it is not required. As you do the hookups several times you get a feel for it.

 

[Fallon]

This is a great thread topic... been wrestling with this myself. I have a little BX so I am sure a QA fork would give me much more capacity so that is a big plus... But. I am doing lots of landscape work and am moving landscape blocks at the same time as needing to move dirt to back fill block walls. I know I won't be able to move many blocks if they I am using clamp on forks but I would be switching back and forth quite often. As it is I am moving blocks from pallets into my FEL bucket at about 6 at a time (about 88lb each). Not sure if I would be able to move many more on a pallet if I don't remove the bucket. On the other hand, I would be trying to QA the forks and bucket on relatively uneven ground often. Wondering if the QA and forks are worth it for me. The clamp on forks would also be great for the brush I am moving to burn piles. Don't really need dedicated forks for that. If I had a bigger tractor I think the QA would be a no brainer but for my needs... I don't know.

My L3200 (1200 lbs at the pins on the loader i think) tops out at a pallet of 2" thick paving bricks stacked 4 high. Surprisingly little capacity. Or the other way to look at it is those bricks get surprisingly heavy quick.

I love my QA forks, so easy to swap. You know the old addage "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Well anything heavy, bulky or awkward on my property ends up on a pallet.

 

[dragoneggs]

They don't have to be on perfectly even ground to hook up. Approach the low side to make contact first.. Get the low side hooked and start to lift when it is level start to push and slide up and get the other side hooked up.. It is pretty easy. Does level ground make it a little easier?, Yes but it is not required. As you do the hookups several times you get a feel for it.

Thanks k0ua... I haven't had a chance to test this out and not sure how I would get a chance prior to taking the plunge. Very much appreciate your post! I am leaning toward the QA. Just wondering if it really is worth it to me. But then again... I like tools like toys! Did I just answer my own question???

 

[k0ua]

Thanks k0ua... I haven't had a chance to test this out and not sure how I would get a chance prior to taking the plunge. Very much appreciate your post! I am leaning toward the QA. Just wondering if it really is worth it to me. But then again... I like tools like toys! Did I just answer my own question???

It all gets so much easier the more times you do it.. Hydrostat helps on difficult hookups, as you can creep so much easier. Just take your time and don't get frustrated, and it will come easy after a while.

 

[IslandTractor]

Another vote for SSQA full frame mounted forks on a CK or DK size tractor. Be careful with a CK though and don't make the mistake I did which was to order a full sized skid steer version. Too heavy to be useful. They make smaller frame mounted forks that would be better IMO for anything less than a DK in loader size. The one tractor I might use clamp on forks for would be a SCUT like a BX especially if it was for occasional use. But for regular use and on a bigger tractor, frame style all the way. I have full 48' tines but honestly don't think I would miss the extra six inches if I had the 42s.