FEL fork frame

[rdln]

Would I regret building a frame thats 5 foot wide? Strictly from a stability standpoint, lumber, logs, pipe in lengths of 10 foot or more. I am not stacking full palettes right next to each other.

Store bought frames are described as 50"

 

[beenthere]

Seems the answer would/could depend on the footprint of the tractor you are putting the fork frame on.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Look at your commercial forktrucks. Never will you see one that has the forks wider than the wheelbase, however they do extend to almost the width of the wheels. I would think anything within your wheelbase would be OK for the max. The forks should be able to close up to where they are side by side. For transporting long items, a wide stance helps keep the items stable especially if the centlines are not identical as when you might be hauling a pile of brush

 

[alchemysa]

Are you talking about adjustable width forks? I'd sure regret having forks that couldn't carry a standard pallet.

 

[JB4310]

I'm assuming they would be adjustable, but regarding the frame......
Like already mentioned, just don't go wider than the machine, I really can't see any down side to them being as wide or maybe a tad wider than the machine (just like a larger light materials bucket).

Any wider and you may regret it when you find it creates a clearance issue.

I'll tell you right now though if you catch just one of those forks (in such a wide position) with all the load and try and lift it will throw you and your machine on its side in a New York second

I almost did it with just catching a bucket corner.

jb

 

[wldrbob]

hi i have a set of 6 ft log forks its way better than narrow forks .dont have to be centered as close on the log my tractors 60hp and i have a quick att for narower bale forks. i garantee that you will never want narrow forks for 16 ft logs again

 

[keeney]

I built mine to adjust up to 48" wide. They work fine for 10' pipes and even 12' lumber.

I would think that with 16' logs you would start getting into wanting to clamp the load. Even if it doesn't tip off of the forks, things can start to slide around, and you could get the whole machine off balance pretty easy.