Pallet Fork Mod

[TwinWillows]

This is not a fancy mod but one I put right to use after completing it.

One of my most favorite attachments is my QA pallet forks. I use them for moving "stuff" around & usually put them on when lifting heavy things as I can get the lift point back close to the loaded bucket pivit point where max lifting capacity is available. In the past I"ve wrapped a chain around the fork frame.. On a recent trip to TSC I found a 15,000# weld on "D" ring which got me to thinking about how handy it'd be to have on the forks so I did not have to wrap the chains around the frame any more.

I welded it to the bottom of the upper tube - attached are the photos.

 

[TwinWillows]

The "D" ring has proved to be a much easier place to hook a chain to. Attached shows us relocating a concreted post to a new gate area.

 

[TwinWillows]

I don't know if you can see it but I've also cut down 2ea 1/4" chain grab hooks & welded them to the sides of the fork frame. I use them to carry things like buckets & also they are a good place to hook a light chain to when stabilizing a awkward load.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Nice! Im still mentally massaging an idea to put hook points out near the fork tips for extended lighter duty lift points. Im looking for something totally non disruptive and I havnt thot of it yet.
larry

 

[DraftHorse]

Nice! Im still mentally massaging an idea to put hook points out near the fork tips for extended lighter duty lift points. Im looking for something totally non disruptive and I havnt thot of it yet.
larry

Is this something you had in mind ?

Vestil Forklift Double-Fork Hook Plate — 6000-Lb. | Hoisting Hooks | Northern Tool + Equipment

Peter

 

[SPYDERLK]

Is this something you had in mind ?

Vestil Forklift Double-Fork Hook Plate — 6000-Lb. | Hoisting Hooks | Northern Tool + Equipment

Peter

Thanks Peter! Good fodder for the imagination. Im looking more toward something that would allow complete flexibility and that would require almost nothing special. Like a chain hooked over top to a pin thru a small hole I would drill out near the fork tips. That way the only extra thing Id carry would be 2 high strength bolts/pins.
Thanks again.
larry

 

[hazmat]

Nice work.

My bradco set came with the D ring already installed. It is pretty handy. I need to get a couple of smaller chains to use with it.

 

[DraftHorse]

Thanks Peter! Good fodder for the imagination. Im looking more toward something that would allow complete flexibility and that would require almost nothing special. Like a chain hooked over top to a pin thru a small hole I would drill out near the fork tips. That way the only extra thing Id carry would be 2 high strength bolts/pins.
Thanks again.
larry

I have seen people drill a hole on the front tip of the fork and put a trailer ball to move trailers. I have also seen them almost tip over because the load was only on one side of the unit.

I see a problem with trying to lift something from only one side of the fork. The load being out by ~ 42" or so on one fork can contribute to side tip if the load were too heavy or snag. You have to remember that the balance point is now off center and if you try to turn too sharply it will shift you.

I can appreciate the idea of KISS in just using a pin and chain, but I also have seen the result of it also.

As far as carrying the unit, I took a look at my Bobcat QA forks, and can mount it on the back, out of the way if I were going to need it.

I am going to order one of these shortly because I had a use for one the other day. A severe wind storm came through and took one of my neighbours tree and crashed across the road.

We removed most of it, but part of the trunk was wedged in such a way I could not use my boom pole (lifting height issue). We ended up using a 4x6, a couple of big clamps and a chain to get the trunk out.

Using the Northern tool would have made life a lot simpler and safer.

Peter

 

[Reg]

That tool doesn't prevent a sudden slide TOWARDS the tractor, which could be almost as bad. My pallet forks can be adjusted very close together, so an off-center load could be quite close to center - keeping it close to the ground, same as a bucket, also helps stability.
I'll probably make up a 2 inch receiver, similar to the $150 Bradco attachment.

 

[DraftHorse]

That tool doesn't prevent a sudden slide TOWARDS the tractor, which could be almost as bad. My pallet forks can be adjusted very close together, so an off-center load could be quite close to center - keeping it close to the ground, same as a bucket, also helps stability.
I'll probably make up a 2 inch receiver, similar to the $150 Bradco attachment.

I agree with you that the tool would slide back, but with a little forward tilt, that will not be an issue. As with your forks, mine also slide to the center, but there are forks that do not slide. It is these type that I was refering to.

In respect to carying low, there have been situations where I had to have the forks raised high enough to clear an obstacle or to maintain a balance, as in setting 18 foot telephone poles into a hole.

Peter