Pallet fork rail notch measurements

[J0be269]

I am very well aware or this; the point of my post was that it's one of those things I have been meaning to do - and to compliment your design.

I know you were giving me a compliment, and thank you for it. Wasn't trying to rub ya the wrong way with my post.....but rather to remind you to move it up on your to do list, for your own safety. :thumbsup:

 

[BHD]

I really do not think that the notches are really that important,

yes I notched my rails for my forks, but I can not slide them with out angling them down ward and letting them basically hang from the top rail,
I usually try to get one fork in a notch, but I have never had a fork slide or move when in a using position, and I use my forks to move bales and to move pallets and other, by loading the bales on a trailer and then unloading them off a trailer, I have moved a few hundred bales a year, (once on the trailer and then off the trailer, and then to feed the bales, (big round bales)) so that is three times each, and at a few hundred a year that is a fair amount of use on the forks, not counting moving other items around, never had the forks move with out me moving them even if they were not in a notch,

I my self would not be that worried about the notches, I think mine are on a 6" spacing, out towards the normal pallet size I think I reduced them to 4". but since it is hard to see the forks in front of the tractor, I normally off set them to one side so I can see one fork on pallets.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Well I was able to get the frame started the other day, should finish it Sunday while at work (I hope).

 

[countrybumpkin]

Finally ready for paint.

 

[countrybumpkin]

Painted and finished and they work great.

 

[mjncad]

Nice work on the forks!

 

[camoman]

Nice forks! do you happen to have any plans for the forks? Looking at building mine in the next week or so...

 

[countrybumpkin]

I dont have any real plans most was built from idea's in my head as I went. I did use some info from Jobe269. I would be glad to provide any info you need.

 

[camoman]

I dont have any real plans most was built from idea's in my head as I went. I did use some info from Jobe269. I would be glad to provide any info you need.

THanks!

How do people notch the top bar? do you think a plasma would be precise enough for this?

Also wondered what sizes of steel you used to make yours? looked like 3x3 square and 4" flat on the sides? top was 2" flat bar?

What thicknes should I go on the tubing? 1/8? 1/4? dont want to make it too heavy as I have a smaller tractor as well.. jd 2305.. the side flat bar looks like 3/8?

 

[countrybumpkin]

I used a chop saw and a O/A torch to notch mine. not sure if a plasma would do it or not it may. The square tube is 2-1/2" 3/16" thick, the side plates and center support are 3" wide 3/8" thick and the rails are 2" wide 1/2" thick. The saftey rack is 2" wide 1/4" thick.