Modular: Hitch, pallet fork, sub soiler, plow, etc

[Bob_Skurka]

I've been out using the new pallet forks today unloading a trailer of concrete planters that I bought for the lovely Mrs_Bob as a surprise Christmas present.

The following pictures show how the Pallet Lifter is installed in 3 parts.

Step #1 is the installation of the Howse Frame, see the attached picture. The frame is actually installed backwards when using the pallet forks so that the flat side faces away from the tractor. Normally the frame would be reversed so that the sub soiler blade and other attachements can be installed.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Step #2 is the installation of the newly welded sub-frame assembly that mounts on top of Howse frame. It is held secure by means of a top link pin.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Step #3 is the installation of the pallet forks. The sub-frame is built to accept standard pallet forks.

 

[GeneD14]

Bob,
Nice job on the pallet forks. I'm sure they'll come in handy.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

This photo shows the forks lifted in the full height position. While level at ground height, the forks tip up when lifted. A hydraulic top link would certainly make life much easier when using pallet forks on a 3pt.

I hope Santa is listening /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The concrete planters on the trailer in the background are the first test for the pallet forks. They weigh a few hundred pounds and need to be placed on the porch in the far background.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

The planters come in 3 parts. A base unit. A bowl that sits in the base unit. And a very heavy flat top piece that sits on the bowl.

This photo shows the tractor parked on the porch with 2 of the 4 planters. The one on the left has the base piece and the bowl installed in it. The planter on the right is complete. I used the pallet forks to hold the flat concrete piece level with the top of the bowl and dragged the top piece into place. When it dropped down into the bowl I only crushed 11 of my fingers (a couple of them twice) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Gene, thanks for the kind words. They sure are coming in handy today. I simply can't figure out how I would have accomplished this project without them!

The final picture shows the finished planter (now called the finger crusher) in its final position, with the tractor in the background. I will also say that I am happy to have a small tractor that has plenty of power. I can't imagine moving a larger machine around inside the confines of the porch! To put some scale to the photo, the planters are just over 38" across.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

Nice simple design Bob. Very useful already I see, but I'd guess you will think of other tasks where you can design a tool to hang off the frame you've designed.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can't imagine moving a larger machine around inside the confines of the porch! )</font>

There are advantages to having a small, handy tractor. Remember though, just because you have double french doors off the porch, doesn't mean you can use the tractor forks to set the bathtub or deliver your new widescreen to the living room.

Thanks for sharing.

Cliff

 

[keeney]

RE: "Remember though, just because you have double french doors off the porch, doesn't mean you can use the tractor forks to set the bathtub or deliver your new widescreen to the living room. "

The house I built has double doors on the front porch. We loaded some of the appliances and some gas fireplaces in using the forks on the loader of my JD 4100. Didn't actually drive the tractor into the house, but held the appliance at door level and slid them off through the door.

The furnace and boiler I was able to drive right into the basement (part of the basement is also a shop with a 9'-wide door) and set them directly into the equipment room before the interior walls were up.

Much of the lumber for the interior basement walls was delivered directly to the room it was being used to frame using the same method.

Now that the house is done, my wife has realized that an 8-person hot tub will not fit through any doorways where she wants it _except_ the shop. I am in danger of loosing my shop to become the hot tub room.

- Rick

 

[RodgerF]

Nice job! A similar item just popped up on ebay. It incorporates a receiver hitch, pallet forks and a boom pole. Pallet forks are fixed, I think your design is better.

What carrys the weight on the forks? Is it just the pin or do the tabs on the sub-frame transfer some weight to the middle buster frame?

Rodger