Forks General advice for buying tractor forks

[aczlan]

FYI, Kubota's loader model numbers are the lifting capacity of the loader in kilograms. As such, a LA1000 loader would be rated to lift 2200#.

Aaron Z

 

[4570Man]

Why can't you cut a hole in the tip of a forklift fork? It makes them way more useful. Put a trailer ball in the hole and you put a trailer pretty much anywhere. I do a good bit of lifting with a chain over the forklift forks and a trailer ball through the hole reduces the chances of the chain slipping off. I concluded that the hole doesn't greatly reduce strength. I tried to lift the back end of a lull which the total weight was 24,000 pounds using the biggest forklift I had. I tried to lift it from the very tip of a single forks. It lifted the back wheels of the forklift off the ground. I moved the lifting point farther forward and it lifted the Lull.

 

[Fallon]

Why can't you cut a hole in the tip of a forklift fork? It makes them way more useful. Put a trailer ball in the hole and you put a trailer pretty much anywhere. I do a good bit of lifting with a chain over the forklift forks and a trailer ball through the hole reduces the chances of the chain slipping off. I concluded that the hole doesn't greatly reduce strength. I tried to lift the back end of a lull which the total weight was 24,000 pounds using the biggest forklift I had. I tried to lift it from the very tip of a single forks. It lifted the back wheels of the forklift off the ground. I moved the lifting point farther forward and it lifted the Lull.

OSHA or some such safety agency I believe. Violates the manufacturers specs & could in thoery be a safety issue. In reality, probably not, but who can prove the rating on a hack job? Cheaper to replace them than assume the potential liability or get the modification certified I'm sure.

 

[aczlan]

Why can't you cut a hole in the tip of a forklift fork? It makes them way more useful. Put a trailer ball in the hole and you put a trailer pretty much anywhere. I do a good bit of lifting with a chain over the forklift forks and a trailer ball through the hole reduces the chances of the chain slipping off. I concluded that the hole doesn't greatly reduce strength. I tried to lift the back end of a lull which the total weight was 24,000 pounds using the biggest forklift I had. I tried to lift it from the very tip of a single forks. It lifted the back wheels of the forklift off the ground. I moved the lifting point farther forward and it lifted the Lull.

Cascade says that you can cut a hole in the tip of their forks, but you cant burn one. Here is their list of rules for doing so:

Holes may be drilled, not burned, with a diameter of up to 25% of blade width and a maximum of 1 in. (25 mm) diameter.
The hole is centered and can be positioned between 3 in. (75 mm) to 12 in. (300 mm) from the fork tip.
The top and bottom edges of the holes should be chamfered to remove sharp edges.

Aaron Z

 

[N2DFire]

Dad & I ended up agreeing on & buying this model.

Titan Skid Steer 36" Pallet Fork 49" Hay Bale Spear Trailer Hitch Attachment

At the time Titan was putting one up for No Reserve Auction (instead of Buy it Now) about every 3-4 weeks or so and generally the interest / bidding fell off at about the $350 - 375 mark. Don't know if they are still doing this (there wasn't one up when I looked just now) but if you're not in a rush it might not hurt to keep an eye on e-bay.

Also - you mentioned "occasional grubbing". Our loader is rated at roughly 1100 lbs so we're pretty close to you there. We opted for the 36" forks because longer forks will actually reduce the prying force you can generate at the tip due to the increase in leverage you give the object being moved.

Food for thought if all your other tasks don't really require the longer forks.

 

[Xfaxman]

Good deal. :thumbsup:

It would be easy to add to that frame so it would work on the three point also.

 

[N2DFire]

Good deal. :thumbsup:

It would be easy to add to that frame so it would work on the three point also.

That's exactly what I was thinking :thumbsup:

and then that would be a perfectly good reason to add the rear remotes and do a T-n-T kit. :cool2: (My father hates me being on these forums LOL)

The second option was to just make a simple 3-pt A-Frame to put the spear on.

My biggest problem is that Dad is a much better welder than I am and I can't get him home and out of the RV long enough to fab anything (Being retired must be nice).

Guess I'm just going to have to keep practicing. :laughing:

 

[hslogger]

I bought a pair of the LandPride 42 inch forks about five years ago. I bought em from the dealer fifteen miles from my place and I am real happy with them. The 42 inch forks vs 48? Guys forget that with these forks on a tractor it is a lot of distance hanging out there to whack into things if you aren't vigilant. It is a lot different than sitting in a skid steer where you are right there and can see so much better.