john deere 2305 pallet forks question

jnh92 · Dec 22, 2009

Deadman,
Do you really like those attachments? That's where I'm at right now, trying to decide which forks to get? I've asked around and the JD dealers are asking $940 and up for the forks, and then I saw these for around $735 free shipping and I assume no tax, seems like a great deal. Are you happy with yours? Anything you wish were different on them? I'm also wondering if I could lift a round bale to move around with them? I have a JD3320 with a 300x loader.

atschirner · Dec 22, 2009

jnh92, JD spends a whole page in the pallet fork manual to caution the operator not to attempt to move round bales with forks. Besides the weight issue causing the rear of the tractor to lift they include a rather graphic line drawing of the potential crush hazard for the operator if the bale flips over the back of the fork's back plate while elevated.

Don't get me wrong, I think pallet forks are the best option on my 4400, right after power steering, but I hate to see anyone getting hurt doing something that shoulda worked.

Have a safe holiday, Alan

jnh92 · Dec 22, 2009

Thanks for the word of caution...that was my concern in the back of my head, although I wouldn't lift it more then 3-4 ft off the ground, it's still a possibility. I sure would hate to buy pallet forks and then make another expense on a bale spear attachment....but I guess you can't put a price on good health and safety. Thanks again for the advice, happy holidays to you as well.

kennyd · Dec 22, 2009

jnh92 said:
Thanks for the word of caution...that was my concern in the back of my head, although I wouldn't lift it more then 3-4 ft off the ground, it's still a possibility. I sure would hate to buy pallet forks and then make another expense on a bale spear attachment....but I guess you can't put a price on good health and safety. Thanks again for the advice, happy holidays to you as well.

Pallet fork are great to have-no question there. But if your primary use is bales then get the bale spear...it's a whole lot lighter so you can lift more with it vs. the forks.

Johndeere3720 · Dec 22, 2009

My dad has Rankin Pallet forks of his 300x FEL on the 3720. they are definatly stronger than what the tractor can handel but weigh around 200 pounds. then with mine on the back, we got two forklifts in one.

Check out the rankin model.

xrjohndeere · Dec 22, 2009

I got mine from a forklift dealer for free and made my mounts to fit the loader. They gave me the whole fork assembly. They work great and are quick attach just like the bucket. Check with the forklift guys they usually have a lot of that old stuff laying around that is in their way. Stay away from the buckett clamp on type that pushes the forks too far out and you can not see what you are doing.

KennedyDiesel · Dec 23, 2009

If you switch a lot I would suggest looking at the Skid steer quick attach and then the Worksite Pro forks from the skid steer lineup. If memory serves they price much better than the CUT ones.

They are a bit overkill, but awesome build quality:

WORKSITE PRO™ Attachments : Forks

jnh92 · Dec 23, 2009

Thank you guys so much for the info. I decided to go with the Frontier forks...after checking around with serveral JD Dealers, I found one that was willing to work with me, perhaps holiday mood. I was able to get a set of Frontier 48" forks for $810. I'll be picking them up this afternoon...I'm EXCITED!!!
Thanks again for the great advice.

newtothegarden · Jan 12, 2010

Don't do it! They weigh TOO MUCH. My brother has a JD like yours and he got pissed and sold his. WHY?

You decrease your lifting capacity by putting those monsters on that tractor! The Construction Attachments ones mentioned above are a much better fit for your particular tractor!

They are LIGHTER (over 200 pounds less)
They are rated for more than your tractor can lift
They are are Made in USA
They are CHEAPER in $$$ and have free shipping and no tax

I have the same brand, and I put 'em through the paces and have no complaints after four years of owning them.

Deadman · Jan 14, 2010

sorry, just saw this now.
I had a set of forks that weighed as much as the JD ones on my 2520, and I sold them, because my tractor couldnt lift hardly anything. the forks were so heavy that it used most of my tractors lifting capacity, and then when you put a load on them, it was too much, and it would not lift much of anything.