Fork Extension reinforcement, engineering question

[AlanB]

I wish I thought things out enough to say yes, I did it intentionally, but the truth is I was having to use Lil a bit last night (chicken burial detail, SWMBO wanted me to use a shovel (yeah, right)) and I thought about the forks, and hollered at my little man to grab the camera while grabbing the keys.

By nature, this type of extension is not real strong, but for lifting large bulky items they can be nice. Steel sheds, rolls of grass matting, roofing materials (in the right configuration) Sometimes brush etc.

I will get some steel sliced up I think and plate those ends and that will be strong enough.

I was wondering about the math on which would be stronger.

Usually my welds hold past what the metal does, but we shall see.

Thanks for the input.

 

[crashz]

I should have mentioned that I'm a civil engineer by profession. I was going to do a quick cantilever beam calc, however I was at work and too busy at the time. Sorry.