Buying Advice Pallet fork recommendations?

[wtfgreen]

Hello everyone.
I just got my first tractor, a new CT235, and one of the attachments I want to get ASAP is a good set of pallet forks.
I have roughly 18 acres of woods I need to do some maintenance in, and would like to use the forks to stack logs for cutting/drying, move a wood hopper around in winter, as well as place heavy items in racks when not in use - snowmobile in the summer for instance.
Wondering what people suggest as the best set of forks for the money?

Thanks!!
JG

 

[k0ua]

Everything attachments Compact Pallet forks. ( made by Construction attachments)

Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42




James K0UA

 

[staticman4414]

I have these for my ct230 and I like them. Pretty good price too. They might be slightly heavier though.

http://www.skidsteerexpress.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=FORK2BFORK

There also have 42 inch forks for a little more.

 

[galaxie428]

I bought a set of skid steer forks off of craigslist for $300 but they are really too heavy for my CT230. I would go with something as light as you can find that can withstand your loader ratings so you don't loose a lot of lift capacity.

It seems like when I was looking I found a set of 2000lb forks on eBay, I don't remember the name of the place but you might try searching there in addition to what k0ua gave you.

 

[IslandTractor]

Don't buy a full sized 4000lb set of skidsteer forks but don't get bucket forks either. 42 inch light duty 2000lb capacity quick attach forks would be a good match for your loader lift capabilities.

The ones recommended above from construction attachments look fine though I am surprised at the price as you can get a full sized set for not much more. Might be worth checking eBay too.

 

[VictorW]

I kept hunting for a used set but only found forks that were to big and heavy for my CK30hst(CT230 kin). I finally bought the EA ones mentioned by K0ua. They're listed as weighing 220lbs with a capacity of 1800lbs. They seem lighter than 220 if I move them around by hand. As Island mentioned, a 2400lb set isn't that much more but it's overkill and adding more weight for our smaller loader capacity. Mine work well for what the loader can handle.

 

[qed-cat225]

check out these from Berlon made for compact tractors(class 1)
Berlon: Pallet Forks
this one works well too
Pallet Forks for Compact Tractors,
as well as these
http://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/319-038s.pdf

 

[SSdoxie]

Bobcat offers a set of lighter wieght forks specificly for the tractor, don't weigh nearly as much as skid-laoder forks. Price is is same ball park as Everything Attachemnts.

 

[grnspot110]

If you're capable of making your own, get a set of forks & rails from atvexpress on ebay! ~~ grnspot

 

[tornadowatchranch]

I bought at set of 48 inch forks and use the extra 6 inches often when moving things. When carrying full pallets they go all the way through and limit stacking some but when used for logs are helpful.

just food for thought

 

[NOTV8]

For moving logs and firewoods I would go with the grapple ... on your others tasks forks is better :thumbsup:. I see both in your future :licking:.

 

[chamjoe]

I got a set from gator attachments, don't recall the price exactly but wanna say $500 ish

 

[Tompet]

What k0ua said...CAL manufacturing.
After looking at most brands of Q/A forks (calls and e-mails to various manufacturers) and waiting for back ordered Kubota forks for 6 months, I settled on these from Cal manufacturing. Glad I did.
What also is nice about these compared to some other after market fork sets is that even those these look like the floating type forks (that would swing forward when you tilt forks down)...they are not! They lock to the frame and are a breeze to adjust the forks and the frame is light enough I can shove it out of the way when they are detached.

I would recommend if you look at this brand that you do not be tempted into the larger size sets unless you have a much larger FEL because a set was initially delivered here by accident and though they hooked on tractor they were huge! About 450lbs!

 

[k0ua]

What k0ua said...CAL manufacturing.
After looking at most brands of Q/A forks (calls and e-mails to various manufacturers) and waiting for back ordered Kubota forks for 6 months, I settled on these from Cal manufacturing. Glad I did.
What also is nice about these compared to some other after market fork sets is that even those these look like the floating type forks (that would swing forward when you tilt forks down)...they are not! They lock to the frame and are a breeze to adjust the forks and the frame is light enough I can shove it out of the way when they are detached.

I would recommend if you look at this brand that you do not be tempted into the larger size sets unless you have a much larger FEL because a set was initially delivered here by accident and though they hooked on tractor they were huge! About 450lbs!

I will tell you what convinced me on that model of compact forks, it was the video of that larger about 50 horse kubota on everything attachments using these forks and lifting far more than my tractor would ever lift, and the easy adjustment of the forks, convinced me they were right for my tractor, and yes they are light, lighter than the bucket, and that is what you need for these small tractors to get more lifting ability. Of course they are not right for all tractors, but for my L3400HST they were just what I needed:thumbsup:

James K0UA

 

[wtfgreen]

Thanks for all the great info everyone - really appreciate it!!

I was already leaning towards the EA forks, and the info/suggestions provided solidified it.

Not much available or suggested on the Bobcat forks, which is what I wanted to see. Neither me or my Bc dealer can find the weight of them, and they will end up being more expensive than the EA.

Thanks again, and look forward to learning and someday contributing.
JG

 

[Mighty Dodge]

If you're handy with a welder make your own. I got the forks and frame for $75. at an auction, had some channel and angle iron laying around and bought the connecting hardware from Deere. They cost about $160. total.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I just purchased a set of clamp on forks for my FEL...
The cost was $169 delivered to my door...
They weigh 49# each and have a capacity of 4000#...
I realize that these forks are overkill for my FEL's capacity...
I also realize that they are not as good an option as a quick attach set...
However...
I was looking at the cost benefit ratio of a quick attach adapter plate @ $500 with another $500 for the forks...
Plus I would have to cut the ears off of my current bucket...
That is over $1000 for a set of pallet forks...
I just could not justify the cost...
My next tractor will have a higher FEL capacity so those forks will still come in handy...
I can tell you that I have moved a lot of stuff lately around the house with those forks...
I am very well pleased...

 

[ss4010]

I will tell you what convinced me on that model of compact forks, it was the video of that larger about 50 horse kubota on everything attachments using these forks and lifting far more than my tractor would ever lift, and the easy adjustment of the forks, convinced me they were right for my tractor, and yes they are light, lighter than the bucket, and that is what you need for these small tractors to get more lifting ability. Of course they are not right for all tractors, but for my L3400HST they were just what I needed:thumbsup:

James K0UA

+1

Picked up the same set my self. Plenty strong and does not steal your lift capacity at ~210 lbs.

Steve

 

[duckhunter27]

The Bob Tach attachment system and a set of good forks is the only way to go if you own a tractor. Tons of uses I find more all the time.

 

[BGigHarbor]

I am still undecided about how stout/heavy a set of qa pallet forks I should buy for my soon to have l5260 with an la1055 FEL.

2000 lbs might work and would be lighter (250lbs), but since I will probably sometimes max with FEL with logs, etc I am wondering if I should step up to something more in the #3500 range (#400).

I just don't how much weight the la1055 can lift in the ideal case. Also my concern if I weight the forks unevenly, a set rated at 2000 might fail even when lifting say #1500 which I would expect the la1055 is capable of.