Homemade Pallet Forks

[jmc]

Didn't know BIM was still in business. I usually go to JB salvage.. I haven't really looked for any of these, since I'm in the middle of getting a backhoe working on my tractor. I'd probably work with you and getting a QA from Markham, but if you look at the attached photo I happen to have a what appears to be a proprietary type attachment. I called Koyker in December an was quoted about $180 including shipping cost. I'd like order two of these. One to use on the Pallet frame or what ever, and another to have around in case I need more. I like to take one of QAs to a weld shop and see what they would charge to weld one up.

Wedge,

I'll end up with a skidsteer QA fork setup for $75+200+105=$380. That salvage yard had one pair left yesterday, FWIW. Have you considered buying an aftermarket SS adapter to fit on your loader? It might payoff with resale value and/or being able to use your implements on your next tractor.

John

 

[wedge40]

Wedge,

I'll end up with a skidsteer QA fork setup for $75+200+105=$380. That salvage yard had one pair left yesterday, FWIW. Have you considered buying an aftermarket SS adapter to fit on your loader? It might payoff with resale value and/or being able to use your implements on your next tractor.

John

That's pretty cheap for the skidsteer QA fork.
Yes I have thought of converting the loader to SS type. It's just that I'd have to then convert the loader bucket to SS. I guess I need to sit down and figure out how many other implements I might want to attach to the loader.
You're right about the resale value.

Right now I'm more interested in getting thing ready to clear some of my property and start working on barn/shed.

Wedge

 

[RedDirt]

I'm picking up the steel to make mine tomorrow. I'm using 2x4 3/16 wall and thats for a BX24 that will lift less than yours. The size of yours is too small in my opinion...why not go with the bigger stuff? Cost and weight isn't that much more to be safe. Weight of the 2x4x3/16 is 3 lbs more a foot than the 1.5x3x.120< note my spec sheet doesn't show .125 as being "standard". Or if you really want 1.5x3 the 3/16 wall only adds 1.5 lbs a foot....
20' stick of 2x4x3/16 is $105 locally.

I did the same and bought 2x4x3/16. 12' cost me $69. For some odd reason 1 1/2 x 3 x 3/16 was almost as much at $66. Anyway, I got the steel home and put it in the shop next to the bx23. The 2x4x3/16 sure seems way overkill and I'm rethinking going smaller. Don't we have a structural engineer on board that can do a quick calculation and let us know if a pair of 1 1/2 x 3 x 1/8" x 36" forks would lift 400 pounds? A lot will depend on the strength of the "L" joint. I'll reinforce mine with the detail I posted previously, an internal gusset.

 

[Skyco]

Where you place the L joint is dependent on how strong it needs to be...I stole an idea pictured here by alchemysa-http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/build-yourself/78852d1181640663-forks-my-fel-forks1-.jpg
from this thread-http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/102060-forks-my-fel.html
Just like alchemysa, my L joint is at the back of the bucket so all forces at the joint are up and inline no bending moment so it doesn't need to be real strong. If your L is at the edge of the bucket then yes it has to be very strong.
My thanks to alchemysa

Overkill using 2x4x3/16?....probably, but then I'm not surprised at the most inopportune moment

I also had another reason- a piece of 2x4 lumber will slip inside the metal fork to extend it for light duty use. I have plans to order a large 1000-1500 gallon poly water tank, doesn't weigh a whole lot, about 200 lbs but is very bulky and nowhere to grab it getting it off the truck, and I certainly can't lift that by myself, so my wooden extensions will be perfect