New QA Forks

[GManBart]

Attached are pics of the back of the back plate. The tractor QA mates in each corner (where the white grease marks are) of the horizontal bar welded across. A vertical bar could be welded in from the top to bottom as you mention but I don't think they need any more strength added as mine is rated for 5K as built and my loader will never come close to lifting that amount.

Thanks....that's interesting. My neighbor said he's seen fail from twisting/uneven loads, not necessarily overweight loads. He welds a vertical support on the inside of where your grease marks are.

Mine looks very different, and would probably be easier to brace on the inside with just some angle iron. Yes, the top of mine is bowed down...heavy tree section I'd that

 

[George2615]

My top lip (A in attached pic) goes all the way across where yours doesn't. If I were to add support it would go where I colored it in from top to bottom. I can't tell from the pics but your back plate looks to be made of thinner lighter duty metal than mine. Mine was made for Skid Steer equipment.

 

[GManBart]

My top lip (A in attached pic) goes all the way across where yours doesn't. If I were to add support it would go where I colored it in from top to bottom. I can't tell from the pics but your back plate looks to be made of thinner lighter duty metal than mine. Mine was made for Skid Steer equipment.

Yeah, where you colored is pretty much where my neighbor mentioned, but mine has the boxed plate area there, so I'm not sure it would make much difference. You got me thinking, so I measured the metal thickness used for the boxed plate area at .230", and the top lip (and side lip) were .380". Granted, steel thickness doesn't directly equate to strength without knowing what kind of steel, but it's a place to start.

I had to look it up online, but the manufacturer of my forks seems to make mostly SS stuff. They list the body/plate assembly as being rated for 4,500lbs, but my dealer went with the heavier tines that are normally used for 6,000lb setups (nearly 2" thick). His theory was that if you mess up, and put 100% of the FEL load on one tine, you won't bend/break it...probably not bad insurance. I've certainly beat the heck out of mine, and other than the massive tree section denting the upper area, it hasn't show any wear other than to the pain!