I want to make lightweight clamp on forks.

[TSMART]

I have looked around, even the lightest duty are $300. All I want to do is move LOTS of very light weight brush....huge load 6 feet high wouldnt weigh 30 lbs...azaelea clippings. Has anyone made a light duty clamp on or chain on fork type device? I am thinking using 2 by 4's.....something very light..I need to move a lot of stuff with no weight at all...FEL does not hold enough bulk. Even the lightest weight ones are way overkill for what I need.

Any ideas?

 

[LBrown59]

1495161[/color]]I have looked around, even the lightest duty are $300. All I want to do is move LOTS of very light weight brush....huge load 6 feet high wouldnt weigh 30 lbs...azaelea clippings. Has anyone made a light duty clamp on or chain on fork type device? I am thinking using 2 by 4's.....something very light..I need to move a lot of stuff with no weight at all...FEL does not hold enough bulk. Even the lightest weight ones are way overkill for what I need.
Any ideas?

I made a set out of 2x2s and 1x2s
just for this very thing.


Here is the link to pictures of them.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1424883-post1.html

I have a set of paynes clamp on forks for the heavier stuff;But these save me from luging them around for the small light jobs.

 

[TSMART]

Thanks!! Thats exactly what I will do. Really simple too.

 

[LBrown59]

Thanks!!
That's exactly what I will do.
Really simple too.

I made then in about 30 minutes.
I nailed them together but I may later use 2 or 3 counter sunk screws or bolts in each fork.
Another alternative is to use longer nails and clinch them on the other side.
With the nails they tend to pull apart occasionally and I have to hammer them back together when they do that.
I later made a single shorter fork that sticks out past the bucket edge 10 or 12 inches.
I use it to hook under my air compressor handle so I can tow it around with the tractor.
Sure saves my back as the compressor is fairly heavy.

If you want them a little studier make them out of 1x4 and 2x4.
You can even make them out of treated lumber if you wish.
I went with 1x2 and 2x2 for lighter and easer handling

 

[TSMART]

I finished making a pair. I put 1 by between the pair, cause my bucket was thinner metal I guess, then I peppered it with 3 1/2 galv screws. I chopped an angle on the ends of the forks.
Fits like a glove on the bucket, total cost for the pair $13!! (I had the 1 by)

For another buck or so I could wrap a simson strap around it and then pepper that too.
Heck I could make 30 pair of these for less than the litest gage stuff I was seeing on the net.

Another great idea for the short fork too, I can think of a lot of things to use it for.

A really great simple idea so thanks again!!

 

[TSMART]

heres a pic.

 

[LBrown59]

I finished making a pair.
1* I put 1 by between the pair, cause my bucket was thinner metal I guess.
2*I chopped an angle on the ends of the forks.
Fits like a glove on the bucket, total cost for the pair $13!! (I had the 1 by)

3*Another great idea for the short fork too, I can think of a lot of things to use it for.

4*A really great simple idea so thanks again!!

1*That's right the 1 incher works as a spacer between the 2 bys.
2*Cut the same angle on the other 2 by of each fork and you can slip them on the bucket either side up.
I just haven't gotten around to cutting the angles on mine as yet.
With only 1 2 by angled you can get them on upside down.
3*What are some of your ideas for using the short fork ?
I came up with it after using the longer fork to tow the air compressor.
The short fork is lots easier and less awkward to get hooked under the compressor handle.
4*Your welcome and thanks for the complement .
So Glad I could help you out.

 

[Dadsgreenpsd]

I used Unistrut (available at Home Depot, for about $20 for a ten foot stick), with a couple of beam clamps at the front of the bucket. I don't know if HD has them, but your local electrical supplier will. a couple of brackets at the rear, with a pin thru the rear of the bucket, and you have some fairly heavy forks.

 

[TSMART]

That sounds interesting too. Could you post a pic? Beam clamps????

 

[Dadsgreenpsd]

I was afraid you were gonna call me on this one..... I have them waaaaay in the back of the shed at the moment, so I am not sure when I can access them again.

Actually, I welded a piece of angle iron on the back of the front bucket, so that the lip points back. I used beam clamps front and back, so that it allows me to move them side to side. The unistrut slides through the clamp, but when you screw the bolt in, it secures it.

I actually used them to unload small chillers (about 600 pounds) with them, so they would handle brush pretty easily, I would think. They only weigh about 10 pounds or so apiece. I think if I was using them for brush, I would put 4 on.