PASiekmann
New member
I recently had the task of tearing down an above ground pool and deck. This included removing the in ground concrete from structural posts. The bucket on the BX-25 (according to specs) will list 510 pounds. The area inside the bucket is quite limited. I wanted a way to move much larger quantities of material. I looked at commercial forks for the bucket. First, I felt I would only need them for this one project (I later found out I was wrong
) I also didn't want the expense of commercial forks along with having to store them and the fact that they are heavy. I thought for this project I will use 2X4s. I didn't even tell anyone because I thought they would laugh. Well, they worked perfectly! ------
I bought:
I have about $12 in the entire project. ---- I cut the 2x4s in half. For fabrication (it's so simple I think fabrication is too big of a word) I just clamped (pinched) them on the bucket so I could locate the holes. Each pair has two 1/2" holes drilled in them. The photos will be self-explanatory. These two forks will hold more than the tractor can lift! - I snug up the carriage bolts, pinching the forks onto the bucket with a cordless impact gun using a 3/4" socket on the nut. It takes all of 2 minutes to install them. They are light weight and easy to handle. When I installed this pool 25 years ago I hand dug out the deep end. (A lot of work!) I removed approximately 18 cubic yards of dirt at that time. I made a large mound in the backyard and planted wild flowers on it. It was very attractive. And, now that the pool was coming down I had the dirt to fill the hole back in. The BX-25 made this a simple and fun task. I have included a before and after picture of this project.
Additionally, one photo shows the forks being used to move a blue bucket full of water as I recently was transplanting lilacs. I find they are getting used far more than I expected. I also just used them to load a large piece of machinery into the back of a pickup truck. The equipment was secured to the setup with ratchet straps......Give them a try and OF COURSE never get under the elevated forks of any kind. Mechanical failure would cause serious injury or death....I have a saying. "If it's predictable, it's preventable." Don't get careless and end up getting hurt. Laugh if you wish but you will love this inexpensive addtion to your tractor.
I bought:
- two 2x4's - 8 feet long
- four 1/2" carriage bolts that where 4" long
- four 1/2" nuts
- four 1/2" washers
- I utilized a scrape of plywood for more surface area. I use 4 woods screws to hold the plywood in place during use.
I have about $12 in the entire project. ---- I cut the 2x4s in half. For fabrication (it's so simple I think fabrication is too big of a word) I just clamped (pinched) them on the bucket so I could locate the holes. Each pair has two 1/2" holes drilled in them. The photos will be self-explanatory. These two forks will hold more than the tractor can lift! - I snug up the carriage bolts, pinching the forks onto the bucket with a cordless impact gun using a 3/4" socket on the nut. It takes all of 2 minutes to install them. They are light weight and easy to handle. When I installed this pool 25 years ago I hand dug out the deep end. (A lot of work!) I removed approximately 18 cubic yards of dirt at that time. I made a large mound in the backyard and planted wild flowers on it. It was very attractive. And, now that the pool was coming down I had the dirt to fill the hole back in. The BX-25 made this a simple and fun task. I have included a before and after picture of this project.
Additionally, one photo shows the forks being used to move a blue bucket full of water as I recently was transplanting lilacs. I find they are getting used far more than I expected. I also just used them to load a large piece of machinery into the back of a pickup truck. The equipment was secured to the setup with ratchet straps......Give them a try and OF COURSE never get under the elevated forks of any kind. Mechanical failure would cause serious injury or death....I have a saying. "If it's predictable, it's preventable." Don't get careless and end up getting hurt. Laugh if you wish but you will love this inexpensive addtion to your tractor.