Pallet fork recommendations for 770?

[NickTaylor]

Will be receiving a bunch of sod soon for a new lawn. Any 770 / 790 / 3005 owners have pallet forks that you like? 3 pt or bucket mount? Pics would be great.

 

[kennyd]

What loader do you have?

Take a look at Artillian Tractor Attachments for the best (IMHO) and lightest forks around.

 

[magicheater]

That is a relatively small loader, does it have the John Deere Q/A?

 

[grsthegreat]

also check the specs to see what you can lift. my old 870 could only lift 900#. i was going to add some clip on forks, but after weighing the forks and the bucket, there wasn't enough available lifting power left to move the pallets of stuff i needed moved.

 

[Beltzington]

I just purchased these pallet forks for my 300CX loader. The are very light and yet built very well. I found a local dealer and had them order them for me which saved me about $75 over ordering online.

COMPACT X-TREME DUTY Shaft Mounted Pallet Fork

 

[NickTaylor]

I'm definitely limited on lift capacity with 770 and 70 loader.

 

[grsthegreat]

I'm definitely limited on lift capacity with 770 and 70 loader.

have any idea on the weight of a pallet of sod? i have no idea

EDIT:
yeiks just found this link

says a pallet can weigh 1,800 lbs
http://www.eastonsod.com/index_faq.html

 

[NickTaylor]

The Artillian option looks great but I'll have to save my nickels for awhile!

 

[kennyd]

The Artillian option looks great but I'll have to save my nickels for awhile!

Yes, but with your limited capacity (I mean the tractors :laughing: that is) you need all the help you can get. They are the only ones available that will replace your bucket giving you the most lift capacity. You will be very disapointed with the clamp-on style forks.

 

[grsthegreat]

Generally i cant agree more that the clamp on forks are no wheres as nice as the QA style (like i have myself). However if he only has 700# lifting capacity, you dont want to add a 200 - 250# plus set of forks. this will limit his lifting capacity even more.
I have a friend with an older small Kubota tractor and he made himself a set of front forks and they work great for the 500# or less stuff he lifts.

 

[NickTaylor]

Thanks for all the advice. Someday I'll get a bigger machine (after my 4 teenagers get thru college - #?!£€%#). For now the 70 loader will have to.

Sounds like forks in place of bucket is the only realistic option....

 

[BethesdaEC]

Generally i cant agree more that the clamp on forks are no wheres as nice as the QA style (like i have myself). However if he only has 700# lifting capacity, you dont want to add a 200 - 250# plus set of forks. this will limit his lifting capacity even more.
I have a friend with an older small Kubota tractor and he made himself a set of front forks and they work great for the 500# or less stuff he lifts.

The Artillian forks are 200 lbs and my 53" bucket is 170 from the factory (mine is reenforced for bucket hooks and a tooth bar so it is probably closer to 230 lbs). The forks add a net 30 lbs to the weight not 200 lbs.

One other things, clamps-on forks will add more than 30 lbs and they also move the load further from the pivots reducing the lifting power even more.

 

[JordanFTW]

I'm surprised more have not mentioned this... Honestly, with your load limitation I would go with something off the 3PH like a carry all type deal for more lifting capacity! There are allot of options, and I think some of which are a good bit cheaper as well.

 

[JordanFTW]

As a light duty example this carry all (made by many companies) will work with a pallet, is very inexpensive, and will carry about 500lb IIRC which is all you would get with your loader mounted forks anyway.

CountyLine Carry All - 2128210 | Tractor Supply Company

This pallet mover (also made by many companies) will do 2,000lb and is still less then the fork options, and will give you more lifting capacity then with your loader.

King Kutter Pallet Mover, Model# PM-15 | 3-Point Category 1 Implements | Northern Tool + Equipment

You rear 3PH lift is only rated at 815lbs (less then I expected) at the ends so honestly, I would just go with any decent carry all you can get your hands on.

Not to mention the added safety factor lifting from the rear... To me this is a no brainer, I would not even consider loader pallet forks unless I needed the lift more so then the carry aspect.