My DIY QA Pallet Fork

[RichT]

After suffering sticker shock while pricing QA pallet fork attachments for my Kubota B26, I decided to muster my Hobart and Thermal Dynamics machines. I bought the QA plate on ebay ("ezfab", $100 incl shipping), used 42" shaft mounted class II forks from local forklift boneyard ($50), about $20 in steel (I already had a couple sheets of 1/4" plate).

First pic shows the mounted QA plate with the cross plate and center shaft eyelets added. Second is closeup of shaft eyelets. Third is nearly finished rig, now with side plates, unmounted from tractor. Last is rig mounted on B26. Still need to fab the upper structure and paint.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I know what you mean about prices going crazy. I looked at a set last fall..$695. now priced 2 hundred higher. Don't know why but the salvage yards around my area think used forks are 275-300 and usually don't sell for less. I picked up a set on craigs list for 80 and gathered a couple pieces of steel 100# @50 bucks to build a set.
What is your widest setting? I haven't done any measuring as to how wide to go. My forks have the spring loaded buttons.I'm wondering if the top rail cut outs are necessary as the load should hold them in place along with the bottom guide.
I think your design will work just fine. Are they 48" ?

 

[ditzel]

Nice job Rich. I just did almost the same thing last week. DIY is a whole lot cheaper. I bought my 39" forks from a local shop for $100. I also welded up a pin-on QA with steel I got for free and spent about $30 on pins. If I were to buy them it would be about $500 for a QA and at least $650 for pallet forks.
Joes 427 Vette- my forks have those spring buttons. I didn't cut the notches in my top rail yet, but while using the forks this past week they did slide around a bit, that will be my next project.

 

[RichT]

What is your widest setting? Are they 48" ?

Widest setting is about 36". They are 42" length. The guy at the steel supply house said their wholesale prices for plate steel have pretty much doubled in the last 3 weeks. At this rate, it will get expensive even for DIY.

Thx ditzel.