heavier duty pallet forks?

hrcarver · May 16, 2011

I'm looking around for some pallet forks. Will be for a m6040 kubota, so I assume any will work.

I dont plan on moving anything much heavier than a ton on a pallet, but in the real world, they get used for other stuff. Pulling up trees and whatever else you need them to do. How heavy do the forks need to be for me to not worry about the loader (la1153) bending them? 2500 lift cap I believe, not sure how many lbs it takes to actually stop them?

Stonehaller · May 16, 2011

I have some 4500 lb rated forks that I use on my L39 and DX45. Besides the typical lifting chores, I have used them for digging up rocks, old concrete and stumps and have not bent them at least not yet. If you use them for digging, be sure to get something that can handle the break out force of your loader. Both my tractors have break out force just under 3600 lb. That is at the pins so it will be less near the end of the forks, but you can be pushing with the tractor as well which can add significantly to the force.

hrcarver · May 17, 2011

Thanks, that is along the lines of what I was thinking. 3000 lb forks should work for pallets, but for abuse I figured higher.

Any recommendations on what is enough? Dont want to spend more than I need too.

idaho2 · May 17, 2011

Go to the everything attachments in this forum or this link Everything Attachments | Skid Steer Attachments, Tractor Attachments, 3 Point Hitch Attachments, and Farm Tractor Implements.. We have a heavy duty QA from them for our Mahindra 5530 4wd.

Villengineer · May 17, 2011

If you send me a pm, I can get you info for a 5500lbs capacity set that out tested the HD version of a major skid steer manufacturer and can be configured in many different ways, including hyd fork positioning that can be added at any time.

JohnK454 · May 17, 2011

I have a set of 5500lb forks from Construction Attachments. Standard frame, heavy fork. Not much weight difference between the 3000lb forks and the 5500lb forks given the same frame and fork length.

Haven't hurt them at all, and yes, I have used them for odd jobs on the farm - as in "There's that rock I keep tripping over.. wonder if I can just pop it out of the ground real quick".

They're very handy! Beats a shovel when digging out smilax root balls also.

piller · May 27, 2011

I'm also looking at the everything attachments heavy lift pallet forks, they come in a standard frame which is 45-1/2" width or in a wide frame version that is 57-1/4" wide. I plan to use the forks for "normal" jobs and also for moving some long logs and timbers. What do you think about standard frame vs. wide frame for moving long logs and timbers?