Pallet fork length

[CobyRupert]

Different tractors have different visibility. Take a tape measure and extend it 42" or 48" where the forks would be. Take a look from the seat. Figure that you might also have to look over the frame the forks mount on.

 

[PILOON]

Having once sold fork lifts I can say that 42" forks are the most popular.
Fact is that any fork that is greater than 50% of the pallet size will do the job and 48" is the largest common pallet.
Actually 36" would be most adequate for the majority of pallet work.
I did say pallet work but U probably have other uses that justify longer,

Fork lifts generally work in a warehouse environment that tries to maximize storage space resulting in narrow aisles hence shortest forks that will do the job.

 

[Texasmark]

I bought a 4000# fork implement and the forks are very long; must be the 48". When transporting empty, just tilt the forks up till you can see the far end.

On Pallets loaded on my 16' trailer, the long forks allow me to reach over and snag the rear of the pallet, raise the end of it and pull it to me till I can get under the full width.

 

[rbtjr]

After lots of research on TBN, I bought 48" forks. I noted that the opinions were split about 50-50 between 42" and 48". One reason I bought the 48" forks was so that while sitting in the tractor seat I could (I hoped) see the tips of the forks if they were on or close to the ground. Although I haven't used the forks a lot, my initial feedback based on minimal experience is that a/ I can't see the tips from the seat even with the 48" length, b/ I have encountered only one application in which the 48" forks were maybe slightly better than 42" would have been, and c/ for another application, 48" forks were not long enough and I ended up buying 72" fork extensions (i.e., extensions that created a total length of 60"). So, if I had it to do over, I would buy the 42" forks since they combined with the 72" extensions would cover any situation I am likely to encounter.

 

[TNhobbyfarmer]

Thanks for all the feedback. I went with the 42 inchers, 4000 lb capacity, $498 delivered with a 5% discount offered on the website. They are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully they will serve me well.

 

[Fallon]

My old 42" Titan forks ran off with the old L3200. Got new Titan 46" or 48" with the new L4060. MUCH worse visibility of the forks on the new machine so I'm glad I went longer. They do stick through pallets & grab the next one if you aren't careful. Never had a problem with the 42s on the old machine though. Other than visibility I'm not seeing much improvement going longer on the new machine. 36 is to short to grab most pallets completely.

 

[Fallon]

I read the thread. Can anyone tell me if Titan has since corrected the issues detailed?

I had to shim 3 years ago & got enough of a refund to pay somebody to do it (or in my case do it myself & make me happy). No shimming needed on the new forks I got Thanksgiving time

No guarantees they have completely fixed the issue though. And they source from China or the US depending on the model, so may be different quality & jiggs in use.

Amusingly I need to shim my brand new Snow Dawg SSQA plow mount though I think.

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for all the feedback. I went with the 42 inchers, 4000 lb capacity, $498 delivered with a 5% discount offered on the website. They are scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. Hopefully they will serve me well.

Well, I am late to the party, but I have the 42 inch forks, and would not want any longer. There are some advantages to 48 inches in a few situations, but for the most part, they just stick out more and run more risk of snagging things. On my tractor I can easily raise out of the seat an see my 42 inch forks, as I don't have a seat kill switch. (thankfully)

 

[moriboy]

I have 42" forks that I use on both of my tractors (L3901 and M7040). I wish that I would've bought 48" simply because I struggle to see the ends of the forks when the are on the ground. The extra length would help with that.

 

[Btown]

Great looking tractor you have there, how many hours?

Thanks it's a 1993 with Just over 1023 hours.