Front forks on Imatch, 3 PT quick hitch

[JB4310]

I saw a tractor with a set of forks on the three point hitch and thought it might be a good idea for my Horst forks, not trying to make it to lift capacity loads but I figured that the carry all's are fairly light duty yet they are rated at 800 pounds I think, so mine should be able to handle at least that much.
Just a 1.25" and a 1.5' solid steel rod and we'll see how it comes out. not finished yet but thought I would share some pics.
Positive or negative comments welcomed.

this is the one I saw

this is what I want to do

welded solid steel rod instead of pins, got them for $20. from scrap yard, perfect tight fit in the I Match J-hooks

 

[B8FISH]

Looks like a good idea to me--but will they still go on the front?

 

[JB4310]

Looks like a good idea to me--but will they still go on the front?

Yes, almost finished them and double checked, here are some more pics, the thing works great, just tried it a little in the yard but I would now say it's the way to go for moving pallets that don't have to go up high, it's so easy to see the forks on the back, the movement is much smoother, you don't have to level it and you could probably lift more on the 3 pt than the loader (not sure though).
With the forks on the front it is very difficult to see when trying to engage a pallet on the ground and when you stand to look the tractor stops (seat safety).
With the loader mount it's a little jerky and I have dumped material before from to quick of movements, of course it's nice to reach way up in the air, came in handy putting up triple 2"x12" beams that's for sure and taking 1000# pallet off the truck is pretty nice to, but for moving heavy pallets around the yard I think this might be the way to go. has 18" of lift.
I thought I would need the hydraulic top link but so far from using it a little today it looks like that's not even necessary.

this is my concrete filled ballast box as a test

 

[California]

That looks great! I wish mine were as strong as that.

I built a similar, lighter-duty one off a HF Quick Hitch. It's intended for transporting water on a pallet. Here's the fabrication:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/94866-pallet-forks-rear-3-pt.html#post1076414

... and the application. I found it could carry 750 lbs, but it's pretty light construction for that much weight.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/96484-3-pt-carryall.html#post1097364

 

[JB4310]

yes, I saw those threads and they helped me come up with the idea, especialy the thread on the carry alls, I'm sure my forks will carry at least as much as the carry alls, at first I thought it might be good for a PTO generator carrier, but that will not work since there's no room for the drive shaft.
It should be able to do most anything the carry all would do though there is no mounting holes to bolt to, you would probably have to start with a pallet and build up from there.
I think for someone who wants to move palletized materials around a yard/barn the rear forks would be the way to go, for the already stated reasons.

 

[JRP]

This is similar. I started with 3 pt mount and later got a FEL. This is what my final fork design looks like. It works on I-match or Bob-tatch. With it connected to the 3pt it will pick the front of the tractor off the ground before anything bends.

 

[hazmat]

great job. A note on the hydraulic toplink - once you've tried it, you'll never go back to the manual version. If you are moving pallets on uneven ground, it is invaluable.

 

[newt92]

Here is what my forks look like, had a welder build this up.

 

[JB4310]

newt92,
looks very solid, cast forks are nice.

hazmat,
I could only imagine how nice the hydra top link must be, if you see the first pic in this thread, it has one on the machine I got the idea from and I almost didn't do my project because I really didn't have plans to get the top and tilt option, which I thought might be a necessity, but even though I haven't had much time to use it yet, the 3 pt stays pretty level when lifting so on even ground I should be alright for now.
I would have to get the 3rd valve option, which I never looked into but I know it's pretty involved, would be nice for my rear blade in the snow and the rake.

A couple of pics after I painted it.

 

[JB4310]

newt92,
looks very solid, cast forks are nice.

hazmat,
I could only imagine how nice the hydra top link must be, if you see the first pic in this thread, it has one on the machine I got the idea from and I almost didn't do my project because I really didn't have plans to get the top and tilt option, which I thought might be a necessity, but even though I haven't had much time to use it yet, the 3 pt stays pretty level when lifting so on even ground I should be alright for now.
I would have to get the 3rd valve option, which I never looked into but I know it's pretty involved, would be nice for my rear blade in the snow and the rake.