FEL forks using forklift forks

[westbrooklawn]

I stopped at a forklift repair shop the other day and purchased a set of used forks for $30. I wondered if anyone else had fabricated a setup using forklift forks attached to their FEL and if so, could you share design, pictures, etc.? I hate to re-invent the wheel when there is so much knowledge already available on this site!

The forks have the standard 16" spaced brackets on the back side of the verticals... these slide on horizontal bars on the standard forklift frame. I wold like to use these brackets if possible since it would allow me to adjust the fork spacing just by sliding the forks apart or together.

By the way, I have an L3400 and LA 463 FEL.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[keeney]

See this photo:

Forks

- Rick

 

[westbrooklawn]

Rick -

Thanks for the photo... that is what I am looking for. I want to make my frame to attach to the front of my FEL.

Is that your setup in the picture?... if so can you give me some idea of the thickness of the steel that the fork brackets rest on? The fork brackets actually have a taper opening, and I'm not sure what thickness would hold best. Thanks!

 

[keeney]

I cannot exactly remember, but I think the frame is made from a 1/4" flat sistered with a 3/16" thick angle.

I wanted to build mine as light as possible to preserve as much payload capacity as possible on my 410 loader.

In retrospect, I should have built it a little beefier - I have bent it out of shape once or twice. Not while lifting anything on pallet. Usually then the forks are spread out near the loader lift arms. But I did bend it pretty good when using the forks together in the center as a pry-bar to dig out an old basketball goal set in a large lump of concrete. Nothing a big hammer couldn't put back.

- Rick

 

[dullpain]

Good price on tne forks. Did you get just the forks or the forks & carriage too? Here is pic of the ones I made, quick attach just like all the rest of my FEL stuff. Really useful.

 

[Glenn9643]

Did you get the mast that the forks mount onto?
I've posted some pictures of my forks in the photo gallery here that might help you some. They're not real pretty but they work.
I bought the mast with forks. We had to add to the width of the mast in order to make it work with the FEL width, and by grinding the edges of the added plate I can slide the forks out further onto the added plate.
Look here for pictures.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Thanks for the continuing comments. Unfortunately I did not get the "carriage" or "mast" along with the forks. He had some on some junked forklifts, but wasn't willing to go to the trouble of removing them (they have to slip off the bottom of the forklift which would require lifting the forklift off the ground, etc.).

I basically need to build a carriage that will attach to the bucket, and then I can slide the forks on from the sides. I plan on using some holes drilled through the top support pieces so that I can insert a pin or bolt as a stop to keep the forks from moving sideways once I get them in position.

I need ideas for how to best mount the carriage to my bucket. I am thinking about a hook type arrangment on top of the bucket with a solid (or pipe) bar mounted on the carriage. I am looking for good pictures of attachment methods. I don't have a QA for my bucket, so a standard QA setup on the fork carriage won't work.

Keep the ideas coming. and THANKS!!

 

[kennyd]

Here is a LINK that shows pics of the ones I made.

 

[PineRidge]

Didn't make our pallet forks, bought them as a package with the NH. Maybe this picture will give you some ides to work with.

 

[westbrooklawn]

GREAT pics and links! It never ceases to amaze me how much information and knowledge can be shared on this forum. My project will probably not start until after Christmas (Santa is bringing me an O/A cutting torch to go along with my existing Miller AC/DC welder), but I will try to post pics as I go. Thanks!

 

[ronjhall]

Here is a thread where more parts were than you did to make them fit FEL. Click Here
Another thread. Click Here
My favorite thread on making forks fit a FEL. Click Here

 

[westbrooklawn]

ronjhall -

Thanks for the links. I also like the frame that was fabricated for the 430 loader. My problem is that my kubota LA463 loader does not have a QA bucket, so I want to make my fork frame attach to the existing bucket. I know I will be sacrificing some lift capacity by having it that much farther forward.

I have some ideas on how to attach to the bucket, but am certainly open to more suggestions. Thanks.

 

[JRP]

In April 2002 I started a thread "Post your pictures of forks". A whole lot of TBN readers sent in their pictures.

You did well in buying real forks. The metalurgy is superior to regular steel shapes such as channels. You won't bend them.

I put in a new reply post today in "Build it yourself" so you can find this old post.

Have fun and build it right.

JRPOUX

 

[gotrocks]

I did not have a frame for my forks. We just added to the top and I curl my bucket to catch the round pipe then "un-curl" and my forks are ready for use.
I am able to vary spacing with this setup.

 

[gotrocks]

Here is a view showing one of my uses. Had to have the tank replaced on well pump. Did not want pump man to try moving or working inside the little space.

 

[westbrooklawn]

gotrocks-

Very interesting setup. I wonder what the capacity would be? It seems like you may have some lateral movement where the forks meet the cutting edge of the bucket if your load shifted to the side.

I like the concept though!

 

[gotrocks]

The forks will hold more than my 2910 will lift. There is some flop side to side but it has never been a problem. I also have used (abused /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif) the forks together and individually to dig up shrubs and small trees. I sure beats the "trench wrench."

 

[westbrooklawn]

Gotrocks - check your PM. Thanks.

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
The forks have the standard 16" spaced brackets on the back side of the verticals... these slide on horizontal bars on the standard forklift frame. I wold like to use these brackets if possible since it would allow me to adjust the fork spacing just by sliding the forks apart or together.)</font>

Yea that is the route I took as well. I believe the terminology
is "ITA Category II" with respect to the nominal 16" mounting
configuration. A new set of 48" forks was around $250.

I built a quick-tach style frame to mate with my loader
from some 4" channel growing in the backyard and a
few sundries scrounged/bought elsewhere. Here is a
picture before it was actually completed just to verify
whether my structural stress calculations were accurate.
The goal was to keep the frame as light as practical to
avoid excessive loss of loader lift capacity.

 

[uhmgawa]

Sometimes things can't wait for projects to complete.