Fork attachment build.

   / Fork attachment build. #21  
I think you would have been fine with the box tube forks. But then again, we dont know "how much bigger" the tractor is you are building for.

MY forks are 2x4x1/4 and clamp on style. IMG_20140928_142718_948.jpgIMG_20140928_142734_748.jpgIMG_20140928_142814_098.jpgIMG_20140928_142830_776.jpgIMG_20140928_142849_095.jpg

I cant remember, I think they are somewhere between 36 and 42". I dont think they are a full 42" but I think longer than 36.

Have had them maxed out on my tractor, moving nearly 1000# or more. Some old concrete slabs that I just couldnt lift but could curl and push dragging just the heal of the bucket.

Some of them were just too big to even think about. Put the forks on the backhoe and moved them. The BH bucket flexed pretty good cause of the clamp on style, but the forks were solid and no flex.

Have also moved a heavy steel rack still loaded with steel with the BH and forks. As well as used them with a 10k 12' long forklift boom to set my 40' trusses.

So gut feeling is the forks would be fine on a tractor quite a bit larger than mine. But I am sure I could bend them if I wanted to suspend a load on just a single tip and use them on the BH with 5k+ lift capacity.

What is the length of the forks you are making. I may play with some numbers for a cantilever style beam/load which is basically what they are. How are you planning on doing the flat bar inside them?

FWIW, I think the 4k clamp on forks that are sold everywhere on the net are 2x4x1/4 tube
 
   / Fork attachment build. #22  
Here is some info:

Assuming 42" forks, ASTM500 steel with 50ksi yeild strength.

Ultimate failure point of 1833# on a single fork tip. (reality would be less since that is a static number and dont account for having a load out there bouncing).

That failure would occur at 0.979" of deflection at the tip

A evenly distributed load, failure would be at 3666# and a deflection of 0.735" at the tip. Thats a single fork.

The longer or shorter the forks are obviously changes things. But also to keep in mind, lifting with an 1800# force on the tip of a 42" fork takes no slouch of a tractor.
 
   / Fork attachment build.
  • Thread Starter
#23  
What is the length of the forks you are making. I may play with some numbers for a cantilever style beam/load which is basically what they are. How are you planning on doing the flat bar inside them?
The vertical section of the forks is 15" long. The horizontal section is 43" long.

I plan on inserting the flat bar in the center of the tube. And make several plug welds to hold it in place.

Worked on bending the FEL mounts this morning.
 

Attachments

  • Forks length.JPG
    Forks length.JPG
    299.5 KB · Views: 197
  • Plug welds.JPG
    Plug welds.JPG
    84.5 KB · Views: 196
  • Insert flatbar.JPG
    Insert flatbar.JPG
    137.6 KB · Views: 203
  • Hoop 1.JPG
    Hoop 1.JPG
    92 KB · Views: 202
  • Hoop 2.JPG
    Hoop 2.JPG
    79.3 KB · Views: 177
  • Hoop heat.JPG
    Hoop heat.JPG
    57.9 KB · Views: 195
  • Hoop hot.JPG
    Hoop hot.JPG
    80.4 KB · Views: 199
  • Hoop curl 1.JPG
    Hoop curl 1.JPG
    85.9 KB · Views: 199
  • Hoop curl 2.JPG
    Hoop curl 2.JPG
    85.7 KB · Views: 186
   / Fork attachment build. #24  
Not going to gain much at all strength wise doing that. The weak link is going to be the heel, not the long section of the tube.

Some 4" long sections of 3x3 angle on the outside corner and inside corner of the heel will do more good than anything.
 
   / Fork attachment build.
  • Thread Starter
#25  
When I built my set. I made an open root weld with 6010. Then capped it with 7018. On the inside of the heel I made a 3-pass fillet weld with 7018. To beef that area up.
 

Attachments

  • SV front.jpg
    SV front.jpg
    57.2 KB · Views: 236
  • Forks.jpg
    Forks.jpg
    62.5 KB · Views: 191
   / Fork attachment build. #26  
The weak link is going to be the heel, not the long section of the tube. Some 4" long sections of 3x3 angle on the outside corner and inside corner of the heel will do more good than anything.

The heels of my 48" long forks are still square after 15 years. 5000# loads (across 4 forks). Same construction as SA's. And no where near quality of welding as his. :)


image-1036917565.jpg

Terry
 
   / Fork attachment build. #28  
Thank you very much!;) But you realize I've only been welding a few weeks now.:D

Y' know, good thing you don't do YouTube vids like Lanse and Jody. All the newbs would get discouraged awful quick seeing your work and knowing you'd been only welding 'a couple' of weeks. :)

Terry
 
   / Fork attachment build. #29  
provided the weld is as strong as the parent metal, each fork is good for 3600# evenly distributed. So a pair is good for a 7200# pallet. Good for most tractors. Just saying the first thing that will fail is the heel.

The entire length of the fork is the same material and cross section. The heel takes the greatest stress. Adding anything inside the tube doesnt do anything for this area. The fork isnt the weak link, the heel is. since its a welded connection, failure isnt likely gonna be a bend, rather a complete failure ripping apart.

The forks "as is" tested to destruction (which will take quite a bit), the heel is the failure point.
 
   / Fork attachment build. #30  
If I can't find any old forks to use locally I may just cheat and put some really small gussets in the joint.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

Godwin Dump Bed (A48836)
Godwin Dump Bed...
PALLET OF ARMSTRONG TILE FLOORING (A50460)
PALLET OF...
2020 Ram ProMaster 1500 Van, VIN # 3C6TRVAG5LE100108 (A48836)
2020 Ram ProMaster...
2019 CATERPILLAR 246D WHEELED SKID STEER (A50458)
2019 CATERPILLAR...
2011 Ford Crown Victoria Sedan (A48082)
2011 Ford Crown...
2010 Scion xB Hatchback (A48082)
2010 Scion xB...
 
Top