bassfishrman
Member
I do not have a FEL but need to transport materials with my tractor. Does anyone make forks that attach to the 3pt hitch?
Forks pallet forks for 3pt hitch???
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Golfgar4
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Or here is another option. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Bob_Skurka
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What I found was that the ones made by other people are REALLY expensive. So I made my own. Actually I designed them and my neighbor welded them up for me. I was able to scrounge an old set of fork lift forks and I used an "A" frame from a Howse Sub-Soiler/Middle Buster unit.
For about $500 to $600 you can buy a good set of adjustable forks already made to work on your 3pt hitch.
For about $165 you can buy a Howse combo unit. For another $100 or so, you can usually find an old set of fork lift forks. For a 6 pack and a few $$'s for some steel, you can get someone to weld a simple frame to mount the forks onto the Howse "A" frame. My unit mounts onto the "A" frame with 1 top link pin that cost me another $4.50. Total invested would probably be under $300 (in my case I got the forks for free, so my actual cost was about $200). The best part is that I have 4 tools instead of one since there was no modification to the Howse unit, it still functions as 1) a trailer hitch, 2) a sub-soiler, 3) a middle buster . . . and by flipping it backwards and mounting the black fork frame to it with the top link pin to hold it in place, it becomes 4) a set of pallet forks.
BTW, The nice thing about 3pt pallet forks is that your lift capacity on a 3pt hitch is higer than on a FEL so you can lift and transport more weight. Of course you can't lift it very high. But I've been able to unload pallets of mulch from a trailer by driving up the trailer ramps and lifting them off. I did find that a pallet of concrete blocks is too heavy to lift, but I can lift several layers of block and tansport them.
Here is a link to my modular set up: Home Made Pallet Forks
For about $500 to $600 you can buy a good set of adjustable forks already made to work on your 3pt hitch.
For about $165 you can buy a Howse combo unit. For another $100 or so, you can usually find an old set of fork lift forks. For a 6 pack and a few $$'s for some steel, you can get someone to weld a simple frame to mount the forks onto the Howse "A" frame. My unit mounts onto the "A" frame with 1 top link pin that cost me another $4.50. Total invested would probably be under $300 (in my case I got the forks for free, so my actual cost was about $200). The best part is that I have 4 tools instead of one since there was no modification to the Howse unit, it still functions as 1) a trailer hitch, 2) a sub-soiler, 3) a middle buster . . . and by flipping it backwards and mounting the black fork frame to it with the top link pin to hold it in place, it becomes 4) a set of pallet forks.
BTW, The nice thing about 3pt pallet forks is that your lift capacity on a 3pt hitch is higer than on a FEL so you can lift and transport more weight. Of course you can't lift it very high. But I've been able to unload pallets of mulch from a trailer by driving up the trailer ramps and lifting them off. I did find that a pallet of concrete blocks is too heavy to lift, but I can lift several layers of block and tansport them.
Here is a link to my modular set up: Home Made Pallet Forks
Bob_Skurka
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Here is a picture of the Howse A frame mounted on the tractor. This is actually mounted backwards. When used as intended with the sub-soiler or middle buster blades installed, the part that is facing the tractor is actually facing away from the tractor. The reason it is reveresed is that I needed a flat surface to attach the fork frame onto.
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Bob_Skurka
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Bob_Skurka
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Here is a photo that shows the pallet forks added to the unit.
Because this this modular, it is also nice for storage as the forks and frame pieces tuck away against a wall taking up very little space. Also each component can be lifted up and carried so you can have your lovely wife carry it over and attach it to the back of your tractor while you give her directions on what to do.
Because this this modular, it is also nice for storage as the forks and frame pieces tuck away against a wall taking up very little space. Also each component can be lifted up and carried so you can have your lovely wife carry it over and attach it to the back of your tractor while you give her directions on what to do.
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wvhillbilly
Bronze Member
King Kutter makes a pallet lifter. A LOT cheaper, but the drawback is that the forks are welded solid... No width adjustment.
Dave
Dave
beenthere
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I adapted my pallet forks designed for the FEL to fit on the 3pt. Works great as long as the tractor and the pallet are on level surfaces.
I learned the shortcoming was in the lack of TNT (top and tilt). However, my planned use is for firewood pallets, and the cost of a gravel or concrete pad conveniently covers the cost of getting the TNT on the upgraded tractor (if and when that happens).
Even when the pallet and the tractor seem to be on the same 'plane' surface, the need to adjust the top link or the side lift arm seem the norm, rather than the exception, in order to make a clean, quick engagement of the pallet.
Certainly can lift more with the 3pt than the FEL, so a distinct advantage there.
I learned the shortcoming was in the lack of TNT (top and tilt). However, my planned use is for firewood pallets, and the cost of a gravel or concrete pad conveniently covers the cost of getting the TNT on the upgraded tractor (if and when that happens).
Even when the pallet and the tractor seem to be on the same 'plane' surface, the need to adjust the top link or the side lift arm seem the norm, rather than the exception, in order to make a clean, quick engagement of the pallet.
Certainly can lift more with the 3pt than the FEL, so a distinct advantage there.
Bob_Skurka
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beenthere . . . your points are very good regarding the need to adjust the top link to use the pallet forks on the 3pt. I did a couple projects with the pallet forks last year before I had a TNT installed and I've now moved mulch and concrete bocks after the TNT was installed. There is no arguement that it is MUCH easier to use the 3pt forks with the TNT than it is to constantly have to adjust the top link manually.
The photos I posted above are PRE-TNT installation and I was setting it up to move some 400# concrete planters off of a trailer, down the ramps, through 5" of snow and onto a covered porch. It was a HUGE pain in the rear . . . but it was better than trying to lug them over there by hand /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The photos I posted above are PRE-TNT installation and I was setting it up to move some 400# concrete planters off of a trailer, down the ramps, through 5" of snow and onto a covered porch. It was a HUGE pain in the rear . . . but it was better than trying to lug them over there by hand /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
JRP
Platinum Member
I found the same thing as Bob. They are available, but expensive. I built these. I got smart very quick and had a hydraulic top link first, then a Speeco quick hitch.
My first model was for 3pt only. (Np loader yet.) After the loader came I adapted the forks to fit both loader or 3pt. Because there is a quick hitch front and rear it is very easy to install.
Forks were used, almost new. First time out with this I put it under a big oil field tank. It picked the front tractor tires off the ground before the tank would budge. Be sure to get real forks, not something you weld up from channel, etc. The metalurgy in real forks is different and if sized right and not abbused they are almost impossible to bend.
My first model was for 3pt only. (Np loader yet.) After the loader came I adapted the forks to fit both loader or 3pt. Because there is a quick hitch front and rear it is very easy to install.
Forks were used, almost new. First time out with this I put it under a big oil field tank. It picked the front tractor tires off the ground before the tank would budge. Be sure to get real forks, not something you weld up from channel, etc. The metalurgy in real forks is different and if sized right and not abbused they are almost impossible to bend.
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JRP
Platinum Member
Tom_H
Veteran Member
If you don't want to go the top quality/expensive route, here are some cheaper alternatives:
Howse Carry-All from Northern Tool
King Kutter Carry-All from Northern Tool
Leinbach also makes a carry-all that's stronger than these (it has a small triangular reinforcement brace on the bottom corners).
Howse Carry-All from Northern Tool
King Kutter Carry-All from Northern Tool
Leinbach also makes a carry-all that's stronger than these (it has a small triangular reinforcement brace on the bottom corners).
MadReferee
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The only problem with the carry-all's is their construction limits the load to about 600-800 lbs even with the extra brace on the back end. That is only about half the capacity of the typical CUT 3pt.
Bob_Skurka
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Tom . . . The carry-all units are really nice & easy solutions for light duty applications but they really don't have the capacity to haul pallets of wood or other heavy loads. The carry-alls make great platforms for many projects, and can serve as a pallet lifter in a pinch, but even a reinforced pallet lifter won't come close to lifiting the capacity of what most small or medium tractors are capable of lifting.
They certainly are a viable option for lighter duty tasks.
They certainly are a viable option for lighter duty tasks.
Tom_H
Veteran Member
MadReferee and Bob,
I am aware of the limitations of carry-alls. The original poster stated that he "needed to transport materials" on this 3ph. He did not state weight or price ranges. Others replies discussed 3ph pallet forks only. If lower price is a concern, or if he only needs to transport lower weight materials, then a carry-all is a viable option for him. Since no one else had mentioned it, I thought, and still think, it is reasonable for me to bring it to his attention as a possible option.
I am aware of the limitations of carry-alls. The original poster stated that he "needed to transport materials" on this 3ph. He did not state weight or price ranges. Others replies discussed 3ph pallet forks only. If lower price is a concern, or if he only needs to transport lower weight materials, then a carry-all is a viable option for him. Since no one else had mentioned it, I thought, and still think, it is reasonable for me to bring it to his attention as a possible option.
