Kicking around investing in a set of pallet forks for my B3200.... Looks like there are droves of them to consider so I was hoping for some hands on advice about quality.... 1,500 lb capacity would probably suffice... Who has purchased these & would you recommend them?
Pallet Forks
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erikjohn67
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I know some in here don’t like the clamp on ones but I have had a set for about three years now and I love them.
1.) Are they somewhat of a PITA to attach, yes at first until you figure out how to grab them quickly. Tilt bucket way forward so can see the cutting edge. Lay the edge on the forks and then curl and drop bucket into the forks. Then you just have to get out and tighten the clamp. Reverse the process for removal. Once you get it down they come on and off as fast as a quick attach.
2.). Can they bend your bucket? Yes but it a fricken tractor bucket it’s not your fine china its a tractor bucket. Mine looks a little warped inside the bucket, but the cutting edge stays straight. I have lifted around 1,000 lbs with mine on my JD 790.
I have a set from Titan with the stabilizer bar which you need to make sure you get if you go that route.
All that being said, fork are absolutely a must have accessory for anyone that has a FEL.
1.) Are they somewhat of a PITA to attach, yes at first until you figure out how to grab them quickly. Tilt bucket way forward so can see the cutting edge. Lay the edge on the forks and then curl and drop bucket into the forks. Then you just have to get out and tighten the clamp. Reverse the process for removal. Once you get it down they come on and off as fast as a quick attach.
2.). Can they bend your bucket? Yes but it a fricken tractor bucket it’s not your fine china its a tractor bucket. Mine looks a little warped inside the bucket, but the cutting edge stays straight. I have lifted around 1,000 lbs with mine on my JD 790.
I have a set from Titan with the stabilizer bar which you need to make sure you get if you go that route.
All that being said, fork are absolutely a must have accessory for anyone that has a FEL.
RoyJackson
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Better off, IMHO, with dedicated forks. I've read too many stories about folks' messing up their buckets using the clamp on forks.
Mine are Titan attachments with a 42" forks. Quite well made (better than expected, actually)...downside is prices have really increased
Mine are Titan attachments with a 42" forks. Quite well made (better than expected, actually)...downside is prices have really increased
I'm one of those who won't use the bolt-on type. They put the load too far out beyond your loader forks so that it bounces easily and also reduces your lift capacity. Also, depending on what you are picking up it can roll up your bucket and into your lap... of course you could always build a backstop to prevent that.
I have the lowest priced Titans, which I have destroyed through abuse.
A member in another thread suggested these; https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/...-Forks-4_1049d7329a87b88b49ec13ec6b64037a.jpg
I've been looking around for a while, and they seem to be the most reasonably priced that I can find. Plus they're Made in USA...
I have the lowest priced Titans, which I have destroyed through abuse.
A member in another thread suggested these; https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/...-Forks-4_1049d7329a87b88b49ec13ec6b64037a.jpgI've been looking around for a while, and they seem to be the most reasonably priced that I can find. Plus they're Made in USA...
RoyJackson
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I have the Titan Attachment forks...it would take some serious abuse to destroy them.I have the lowest priced Titans, which I have destroyed through abuse.
I've been looking around for a while, and they seem to be the most reasonably priced that I can find. Plus they're Made in USA...
I limit mine to lift, as forks are intended. They'll easily handle anything I need to lift, which is normally well below the loader's capability (loader and tractor can handle >1 ton with proper ballast)
Joe Hickerson
Silver Member
I purchased the Construction Attachments, Inc. compact pallet forks for my Mahindra eMax 25 Cab. They have been a good investment. Versatile and tough. Easy on/off with the QA. Came with 42" forks and around 238lbs. Mahindra dealer here stocks them. Rated for 50hp. I see the new model is rated 2200lbs. Mine were 1800lbs.
jyoutz
Super Star Member
Most people who destroy their forks do that by digging stumps.
RoyJackson
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Wrong tool for the job...can't see blaming a tool for misuse
jyoutz
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Yep
lman
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I bought one of these for $450 in 2018. Picked it up at the factory.
https://tomahawkattachments.com/products/tomahawk-fork-frame-forks
https://tomahawkattachments.com/products/tomahawk-fork-frame-forks
bdhsfz6
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If your FEL has SSQA, I would stick to dedicated forks and skip the bolt-on's.
The weight of the forks is also a consideration. The heavier they are, the less you will be able to lift.
I keep my forks on the tractor all the time. I find them more useful than a bucket.
The weight of the forks is also a consideration. The heavier they are, the less you will be able to lift.
I keep my forks on the tractor all the time. I find them more useful than a bucket.
RoyJackson
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My tractor has enough loader capacity, the effect of the pallet forks weight is negligible.
The clamp-on forks really extend the load out and reduces the loader's lift capacity. Frankly, I don't see much use in clamp-on forks except to carry a couple bales of hay or something else pretty light weight
Captain Dirty
Platinum Member
bdhsfz6 has good points. The only advantages I see to bolt-on forks are 1) cheaper price, and 2) the tips would be so far in front of the tractor that the operator can see them while seated. (I find it aggravating to instinctively stand for a better view and then kill the engine when touching the pedal with an un-weighted seat.)
Even if you had an Indy pit crew, changing an SSQA plate would be faster than bolting on forks.
I bought forks that were rated for more than my FEL could lift, rationalizing that I would likely abuse them at some point. I have moved a lot of boulders. It is far easier to slide the forks under a boulder than to try and roll it into the bucket. My most common abusive practice is to push the forks under a boulder too heavy to lift and use them as skids to push the rock some distance much more quickly than I could move it by rolling. Even though you have few boulders in KS, you will find some way to abuse your forks.
Even if you had an Indy pit crew, changing an SSQA plate would be faster than bolting on forks.
I bought forks that were rated for more than my FEL could lift, rationalizing that I would likely abuse them at some point. I have moved a lot of boulders. It is far easier to slide the forks under a boulder than to try and roll it into the bucket. My most common abusive practice is to push the forks under a boulder too heavy to lift and use them as skids to push the rock some distance much more quickly than I could move it by rolling. Even though you have few boulders in KS, you will find some way to abuse your forks.
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RoyJackson
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Same here...forks are rated for 4000 lbs. which is about 1500 lbs. more then my H180 MSL loader
Close. I was digging logs out of a frozen pile. The forks are fine, the backing plate they're mounted to is destroyed. It had already been weakened by lifting too much weight, digging the logs out just finished the job.
I thought about buying another, heavier plate but decided to wait until I can afford a better set of forks.
In hindsight I should have bought the grapple first, and the forks later.
MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
I think clamp on forks work fine for occasional use. You can by old forks and have them welded to a quick attach plate. They work great but are not adjustable. If you weld, maybe $300 if not, maybe $400.
The next step is a dedicated set. Probably cost you $500 t0 $800. It is a chunk of change but I have never heard regrets and they also rarely come up for sale on the used market. That says something.
The next step is a dedicated set. Probably cost you $500 t0 $800. It is a chunk of change but I have never heard regrets and they also rarely come up for sale on the used market. That says something.
ericm979
Super Member
I got a set of pallet forks from Palletforks.com. Man have they have gone up in price since then!
When I got them I didn't have much of a plan for using them other than lifting implements out of my truck bed and not very often at that. But since then I started stacking firewood in IBC totes. Now I use the forks every few weeks in winter to haul another tote up to the house, and also to move the totes around my wood splitting area. A tote full of green hardwood weighs about 2200 lbs which is the limit for my loader (at full lift; low down it will lift more). I'm glad I got quick attach forks and not clamp ons. Just goes to show you never know what you'll use them for.
When I got them I didn't have much of a plan for using them other than lifting implements out of my truck bed and not very often at that. But since then I started stacking firewood in IBC totes. Now I use the forks every few weeks in winter to haul another tote up to the house, and also to move the totes around my wood splitting area. A tote full of green hardwood weighs about 2200 lbs which is the limit for my loader (at full lift; low down it will lift more). I'm glad I got quick attach forks and not clamp ons. Just goes to show you never know what you'll use them for.
71bronco
Gold Member
Bought the Titan forks 4 or 5 years ago. They stay on the tractor a lot more than the bucket does. i think I paid about $450 then. They are alot more now just like everything else. I got the 42'' ones
Jeff
Jeff
JDZ735M
Gold Member
Get the dedicated forks. You won't regret the purchase and it may even save you having to buy a grapple. At least for awhile.
Texasmark
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I have both kinds and have the QD Skid Steere FEL attachment points on both my FEL tractors. Hands down the dedicated forks are tops and with the QD just takes a couple of seconds to change the bucket for the forks.
