Loader FEL Fork modifications

[mvanhaerents]

I currently have a set of floating forks that I am going to adapt to fit the JD QA brackets on my 430 loader. However, since the QA brackets on the factory bucket seem to lean forward about 20 degrees from being perpendicular (90 degrees) to the ground, I assumed I would also have to do the same on the forks when I welded them up. However, I've seen several fork attachments that seem to have the QA bracket perpenducular to the ground (see attached image). If I welded them that way, would it hurt the roll back ability on the forks since your using so much of the hydraulic travel already based solely on this geometry?

 

[rus_geek]

How much rollback do you get at the QA on the loader arms? If the loader-side QA is vertical when fully rolled back, you'll want some angle on the forks, your you won't be able to tilt back beyond horizontal when you're at ground level.

That may not make sense. Looking at your bucket, you say the QA is 20 degrees forward. If you roll it back all the way, what is the angle of the bottom of the bucket?

-rus-

 

[kennyd]

I had to modify the forks that I built, because I could not get them level on the ground. Here are two before/after pictures to ponder.

 

[mvanhaerents]

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. If the original geometry was causing a problem, I'm surprised people are still selling forks with a perpendicular QA attachment.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

I just added a piece of angle iron to mine to give them more curl at ground level.
Before/after pics attached.

M.D.

 

[Interlaux]

Dang nabit - now I know - 20 degrees - sounds like snaggle tooth may have to go for surgery -again! :laughing:
cuze it is no fun when you cant curl under
Pic of another JD QA fork that did not build in the curl. and I SHOULD of knew better

 

[OzGrasshopper]

Hi All, i had same issue - had to set the "pin base" 2inch out from folks uprights when sitting perpendicular on shed floor. in my case top arch of QA bracket to pin centre was 15 inches - don't know the degrees involved but 2" setback over 15" height gave a very good range of folk angles. be careful cos these measurements may change between loader models?
cheeers OG