Pallet fork lengths

[GamblerAcres]

Titan sells two bale spear/pallet fork combo attachments, one with 36" forks and the other with 42" forks for about $30 more.

Is the extra 6" worth it or will the 36" forks handle just about anything?

 

[George2615]

I always thought standard length forks were 48". Don't think I've ever seen 36" forks. My forks are 42". Most of the pallets I have are around 4' long so I think 36" might be a little short. For $30 difference I'd get the 42" but its your money so get what you want.

 

[CobyRupert]

Get the ones where you can see the fork tips from the tractor's operator station when trying to spear a pallet or get under something on the ground.
Take a 48" long board or rope, etc.. with marks at 42" & 36", and check what the visibility will be from your tractor seat, or more likely, when standing above seat, when the forks are set at their expected width.

 

[KYErik]

I use 48" forks for round hay bales and pallets- like others have said, you want to be able to see the tips of the forks. I got mine from titan and have been very pleased with their durability.

 

[jeff9366]

I have 38" SSQA Pallet Forks by Construction Attachments, sold by everytfhingattachments.com.

Pallet forks are often used to move material, often timber.

Shorter forks are more maneuverable in woodlands, yet manage to use all FEL lift capacity.

 

[countrybumpkin]

I have a set that are 36” and they work just fine, a couple of times though I’d like to of had the 42”

 

[Captain Dirty]

Get the ones where you can see the fork tips from the tractor's operator station when trying to spear a pallet or get under something on the ground.
Take a 48" long board or rope, etc.. with marks at 42" & 36", and check what the visibility will be from your tractor seat, or more likely, when standing above seat, when the forks are set at their expected width.

I agree that seeing what you are doing is most important. Be aware that modern interlock devices will likely kill the motor if you try to move the tractor after you instinctively stand up to get a better view.

If you opt for short forks for maneuverability you can purchase or fabricate extensions for times when you must have longer forks. (We are not talking of $5.00 per inch though.)

Few people buy an attachment with the express intention of abusing it, but be aware that at some time you will undoubtedly put more strain on the forks than your tractor can lift. You might consider sacrificing some lifting capacity to buy sturdier, heavier forks to avoid potential damage to them.

 

[CobyRupert]

If a safety device forces you to blindly stab forks into something that you can't see, or otherwise prevents you from operating in a more safe manor, then IT'S NOT A SAFETY DEVICE.

GET RID OF IT! ....for safety! ("If removing the interlock saves just one child’s life it's worth it! (TM)")

 

[fried1765]

Titan sells two bale spear/pallet fork combo attachments, one with 36" forks and the other with 42" forks for about $30 more.

Is the extra 6" worth it or will the 36" forks handle just about anything?

Absolutely...... 42" forks......at a minimum!
I have 48"

 

[Texasmark]

I had a skid steer 4000# forklift attachment for my 6530 before I bought the bucket clamp ons for my 2400. I chose 42 or 48 whatever the longer set dimension happens to be because I wanted to move pallets with it and wanted full support, like the 4000 under any pallet. After a couple of years, Sorry for the decision......no!

The 6530 will only lift 2000# but when I bought the 2400, the dealer only had the 4000 and I wanted a good forklift so I bought such.....sorry....... absolutely not....didn't know how handy forks can be for all sorts of things including pushing brush up into a pile. I put a piece of fiberboard across the back vertically to keep things from puncturing my grille and all......stab a pile, lift a few inches and drive her forward till 4 tires start spinning.

Another use was helping a neighbor put in 4ea 24"x20' corrugated steel culverts making a bridge across a creek. Piece of cake.