Pallet Forks ... yet another home made set.

[Jstpssng]

I cant get a ton of pressure on my tractor forks, somewhere around 700 lbs. A quick switch bucket is on my bucket list though, clamp on forks are the only quick fix option for a pin bucket.

My father built the forks for my 275 but I ended up welding angle iron onto them, drilling 1/2 inch holes in the bottom and sides of each side of my bucket, and bolting them in place. It worked really well and I didn't even bother to take them off for light plowing. When I bought this tractor I didn't want to drill holes, so ended up with a set of el cheapo Titans. In hindsight I wish that I'd bought a bolt on tooth bar and built a set of forks using those same holes. The Titans are ok for what they are made for, but they aren't made for how I was using them.

My father also made a set of rear forks for the 8N which we used when I was growing up; we used them to carry pallets laden with boxes ready for planting seedlings. Once he got a tractor with a bucket he quickly realized that it was easier to get a scoopful if potting soil, and fill the boxes as needed.

 

[redheelerdog]

Thanks - It's a 12 volt with points, the guy before me installed a hillbilly power steering unit and it works like a dream!

Mine is not a super M though, and no live hydraulics which can really be a pain at times, plus the FEL runs off a rear PTO pump so if the clutch is in there is no FEL hydraulics.

Done a lot of stuff with the ol girl. She has a flat spot on the flywheel, and if it stops just right I have to put a wrench on the front and give her a little crank to get on the "good" flywheel teeth. (Dang, done it a thousand times now) LOL.

Great for Hay Rides too. :thumbsup:

View attachment Hay Ride.jpg

 

[crazyal]

Do you have picture somewhere with your forks on with binder?

Sorry I missed your post. I don't have a picture handy but my forks are similar to yours. At the rear of the fork is where the chain is connected. In front of the part that slide over the bucket is a round hole (the ones I see now have a hole that looks like it's made to slide chain into (round with a loop on the top)). One hook of the binder goes into the hole while the other hooks on to the chain that's wrapped around the back of the bucket. This is the best picture I could find on the net. I use lever type binders but I have Dixie binders that can be locked when cinched.

 

[Oldpath05]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I was thinking lever binders, those ratchet ones are best for this use. Does that stabilizer bar in between help to keep forks straight?

 

[BlueKnife]

I cant get a ton of pressure on my tractor forks, somewhere around 700 lbs. A quick switch bucket is on my bucket list though, clamp on forks are the only quick fix option for a pin bucket.

It's really not that difficult to build a set of fixed width forks for a pin on loader. Maybe it's just cause I'm used to getting the most out of a loader but if I had a set of clamp on bucket forks I'd be looking to convert them straight away.

 

[Smokeydog]

Tool I use to tighten the bucket pallet forks. The short thick wall tubing top of the hammer head fits the bar handle top of the clamping bolt. Rotates to always have a good angle on the tightening bolt. The extra leverage secures them better. Have the option to chain them down too but have never needed to.

 

[metalbender]

Neat Swiss Army Farmer Tool. A tad big for the pocket, but one should have room somewhere on the tractor.

 

[otlski]

View attachment 657151
Tool I use to tighten the bucket pallet forks. The short thick wall tubing top of the hammer head fits the bar handle top of the clamping bolt. Rotates to always have a good angle on the tightening bolt. The extra leverage secures them better. Have the option to chain them down too but have never needed to.

Love that thing Smokeydog. I have a small collection of multitools like that. They are always a bit compromised in function, but they can get the job done in a pinch. I carry a different one in each of my tractors, side-by-sides, etc; trying to figure out which works best and where. I would like to find or make the ultimate 3-point hitch tool.