3-Point Hitch Loader Mount for 3pt imatch

[Phunge]

Hi Guys.

I have a set of pallet forks for my 200cx loader. I was thinking about buying/building a caryall for the 3pt hitch, but then it occurred to me: Why not build an adapter that would allow me to attach the forks to my imatch hitch. Then I can use the forks on the front or the back.

Has anyone done this?

 

[RollTideRam]

I saw something like this, either on the "Customization" or "Projects" part of TBN. JC

 

[kennyd]

Search for post's by member JB4310, he has done it as well as a few others...

 

[JB4310]

I didn't make an adaptor, I just welded 2 solid bars to my forks to adapt them to the i-match. I wished after that I did make an adaptor as I have not seen own yet and I think it would be a first.
Then you could not only put the forks on the i-match but also a bucket (don't know what you would do with it though?) also those 4-way snow plows everyone has on the loaders could be used on the i-match, that's something that might be practical as you could really do some heavy duty plowing with out the worry of doing damage to the front end loader.

 

[Phunge]

Cool, thanks for the pictures JB4310! Good point about putting the bucket on the back -- why would I ever want to do that? This looks like a simpler solution!

 

[newt92]

This is my homemade forks. Had a welding shop build this.

 

[Phunge]

Cool, same idea -- can mount to either loader or 3pt hitch. Like the chain hook too.

I'm thinking my 2320 would be able to lift more from the back as well. I've been generally happy, but have had a few pallets of stone that it couldn't lift. If I remember correctly, the 3pt hitch is rated for more lift capacity than the loader?

 

[JB4310]

Yea, I like newt's to, there's different ways to do it, with mine there was not a lot of engineering involved, I just did the simplest way I could think of, alot of extra bulk and welding but simple for sure.
I'm pretty sure the 3 pt will lift more than the loader on most of these CUTs, and for sure it is much easier to engage a pallet with the forks on the back, for me I have trouble with the forks on the loader, not seeing the forks and when you stand up to see, the tractor can't move due to the seat safety. Also I've spilled more than one pallet of material with jerky stick movements trying to level as it was lifted.
Of course the biggest drawback is the limited lift height of the 3 pt vs the FEL. Anywhere else that that's not an issue and I think the 3 pt mount is the way to go.

John,

 

[flyngti]

Of course the biggest drawback is the limited lift height of the 3 pt vs the FEL. Anywhere else that that's not an issue and I think the 3 pt mount is the way to go.

What about the lack of ability to tilt the fork tips up and down? I would think unless you had a hydraulic top link, tilting the forks and/or the load would be a problem.

 

[JB4310]

Some guys have the top & tilt, I don't and almost abandoned my plans because I was worried about that. Though I haven't used it much it doesn't seem to be a problem, if you start with them some what level then they stay pretty level when you raise them, so on decent terrain it doesn't seem to be an issue, I guess it could be on very uneven rough terrain. you can always manually adjust the angle for occasional badly aligned engagement.

Having them fixed at level makes for quick engagement since you don't have to do anything but raise and lower, so on good ground I think it would be much faster moving pallets around than with the loader.
JB.