Lifting Forks

[M. Sullivan]

Yes! Thank you. Are these commercially available, or did you make them??

 

[Anonymous Poster]

There are different types of rear forks, I had a simple setup which was just tall arch real some heavy duty forks at the bottom for my previous tractor's 3pt. It lifted up in the same arc as any implement, that was about $200.00. You can go all the way to a true 5 foot or more chain lift or hydraulic lift that goes vertically and the whole contraption and be tilted forward or back.

The tilting of the loader forks aren't much of a concern, you do have to correct the curl sometimes but it's not much unless you are lifting up high. If you are planning on lifting a big load up high, especially around a new house site, make your offload spot nice and flat with the loader first as if it's not... You still have to be real careful as you offload as a heavy load at max height really gets the adrenalin going. And although I enjoy argueing (conversing?..bantering?) with Mark about the HST GST merits, there's no place you want the HST more than with a heavy pallet all the way in the air. (Mark can I put 2.5 cylinders on my BX? <grin>)

(not trying to sound "know-it-all" I for sure don't, just throwing out the old 2 cents, over and over and over and.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
The front loader setups I've seen three ways, a full "real forklift" setup. Extremely expensive, super high quality and not designed for on-off. #2 What my previous tractor had was a set up where you'd remove the bucket and put on a fork and backsupport on the loader arms. My loader was a pain to take one and off even with just pins, getting it lined up just right, finding a place to leave it etc.

My current L35 uses what I think is the best for on and off use. Permanent brackets are welded to top of bucket to support the cross shaft and forks, which come on by driving the tractor under them and off by throwing some levers and tilting bucket forward and driving back.

These are rated for 2500 lbs, my loader only lifts 1650 or less to height probably 2300 at ground level maybe. I posted a picture.

Anything's better than strapping the load to the bucket, which is what I was doing when I didn't feel like wrestling my old forks!

http://www.oldcarparts.mygarage.com/images/Forks.jpg

I'll probably pull this picture down in a week or so, late lookers are welcome to email and I can send the pic to you.

del
[email]oldcarparts@mygarage.com [/email]

 

[gordon]

Del what color is that tractor it looks yellow? Did the bucket come like that or did you have to weld the mounts on for the forks? Thanks for the pic
Gordon

 

[Anonymous Poster]

That's not my tractor it's a pic from the web but it looks like mine. No, when you order the forks they come with the brackets that have to be welded to the bucket. That one's a bigger tractor maybe a Case or JCB?

Speaking of pics, I'm surprised that all of the various manufacturers get together (or at least someone with time) doesn't set up a site with pics of all the different things you can get for your tractor and different companies that supply the various items. The dealers all have catalogs from various companies listing part numbers, applications etc, but a simple booklet (or website) with a general list w/pics would help a lot of people make some purchases, but what do I know, I'm just a guy in a checkered coat.

 

[TomG]

Yes, I think HST would be very good for pallet fork work. I've got gears. It was the right used tractor for me when I needed one. The gears don't give me too much aggravation, and I've got a little more power than I would with HST. However, the clutch grabbing with a load up high isn't a good feeling, and I have to be real careful.

 

[MChalkley]

I have a set of Long forks with the weld-on brackets that hold the shaft with the forks on it. I haven't had a chance to weld the brackets on yet, though, so I can't comment on them, other than to say that they're going to reduce my net lifting capacity by a couple hundred pounds.

I found another place where the HST sure made life a lot easier the other day. We had to trim some trees up high, so a friend of mine offered to stand in the bucket with the chain saw. I told him no way, but if he wanted to do it sitting down in the bucket, we'd try it. He agreed and we spent the next several hours working that way. I'm not sure that I would've done it without HST. As it turned out, I raised the bucket to almost full height and didn't move it up or down more than a couple feet the whole time, except when he needed to refuel the saw. He said he very comfortable and confident the entire time. (Other than being a little too trusting, he's a great guy. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Mark

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I wouldn't be concerned about it either as I'm comfortable with a clutch, but on rough ground around a house site I would think that .00001 mph HST would be nice. As I've mentioned before, I park my BX in a spot in the garage that is about an inch longer and wider than the tractor loader implement. (well almost)

Goes in an out without delay. Of course I'm also able to do that because both tires are totally visible and about 2 feet from my eyes!

I can't think of anything I've hit and damaged with my Ford NH because of the clutch in 17 years. (Probably selective memory!)

I have this feeling that if I hit something with the L35 I'm also going to "forget" it because whatever I hit will not be there anymore to remind me!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

REAL MEN DON'T DO THAT...

They put a step ladder in the bucket, go up it and then have someone raise the bucket!

I think there's a number of reasons why they say not to put people in the bucket, main one being the people lifters can't drop even with a hydraulic hose being cut, they have to be powered down. I've never had my bucket come down for any reason even with a load. The other is probably that the person isn't in a nice flat container with a railing. You've got to have good balance sense to not fall just standing in the thing. Then there are those nice sharp edges to hit.

I'd love to have a nice metal and ABS people platform to put on a tractor, I'm sure no company would risk that liability!

When my last building was built I saw the electrician standing on the top step of his ladder reaching way up to do the light work. I about passed out (safety nut that I am). Or is that wuss?

Anyway, went out and bought a 12 foot step ladder, legs spread out to about 40 feet wide I think (or so it seems whenever I'm trying to put it somewhere). Have been using that for the trees. Have always wanted to get one of those extended pruning sticks. Santa...?

 

[Bird]

Mark, I think you're smart to not allow anyone standing up in the bucket, but I've picked up one neighbor that way for him to cut a limb off a pecan tree with a chain saw, and I've picked up my brother several times that way, both for him to cut limbs off trees and when we were building his house. I certainly don't recommend it, and they both know I'm not the one who's going to be standing in the bucket while someone else pokes me up in a tree, but I guess they've got a better sense of balance and more nerve than I have, and they insisted, so I did it; slowly and carefully.

Bird

 

[TomG]

Of course, the pamphlets that come with chain saws say 'don't take them up a ladder.' Don't know whether ladder or bucket would be more dangerous. I took a chainsaw up a stepladder. The ladder slipped and down I came. Somehow during the fall I got the engine into my stomach and the bar perpendicular to my body. Fell on the engine, but not too hard. Got up with the saw still running. Don't know how I managed to avoid killing myself. If I have to take off a limb now, I use an extension ladder and tie the top to a big limb. Not the one I'm cutting (see bone head stunts).