Question on Pallet Forks

[deezler]

Clamp-on is less dangerous for bucket-damage IF you have a bolt-on tooth bar to clamp them over (much more rigid overall). - do you?

 

[Fuddy1952]

Here's a picture of the Titan ones I just got.
I do have a tooth bar for bucket and forks are made for a chain to go around bucket if necessary. $134 free ship I couldn't make them for that.

 

[dalola]

I know there are probably previous threads, but sometimes they're hard to sort through.

Asked my dealer about pallet forks. They quoted a pair of individual forks that clamp on to the FEL bucket front edge, with no vertical bar to the top bucket edge. Something like these:

I would not be lifting large, heavy loads given the capacity of my machine. An IBC Tote rigged as a work platform, or partially loaded pallets of firewood would be about it.

Have you used these? Is there any need to go to a normal set that attaches to the FEL arms and replaces the FEL bucket?

Or is there a better set of clamp ons I should be looking at?

i have the 36" (I think?) set from Titan, the lightest duty they have. Even these are overkill for a SCUT. They are very heavy-duty, and I'm certain my BX will peter out before these will.

I find them very handy for a variety of tasks. Most recently plucking cut sections of tree trunks off the ground, moving to the split pile or burn pile. I also made a detachable 1/4" plywood "platform" that I attach to them for hauling brush & light material in/on the FEL.

These are one of my favorite, most used attachments.

 

[cat fever]

I think the clamp on forks are an excellent way to bend your bucket cutting edge. Save up and get a regular set of pallet forks. In the long run you'll be happier. :2cents:

I personally have a set of Titan 42", I use them as much as I do the bucket if not more.

 

[Diggin It]

The ones I'm seeing all appear to have a way to add a chain, strap or some other way to attach them over the top of the bucket as well as the lip. Seems like that should limit stress on the lip.

I don't intend to lift a whole lot of weight given the limits of the lift arms to begin with.

 

[3Lfarms]

Diggin, The problem I think you will have with clamp ons is since they clamp on the front of the bucket, there load is way out in front of,the bucket. If you only have 1000lbs of loft at the pins, you might only have half of that in the middle of the forks. If all you intend to pick up are a few lightweight items, then they should work.
Since you mentioned using them for a man basket type of thing, I am thinking that a little bouncing around out on the end of the forks could very easily bend your loader bucket. I have seen a few bent bucket bottoms from using clamp on forks.

 

[Oldpath05]

Several years ago I had a bunch of 2"x2"x 3/16 wall tubing, I doubled them up and made 2"x4"x 38" folks, two 1" x 5" bolts/fork, holds in position pretty good, but there mostly used for lifting pallets, the trouble I see with clam on forks is I loose lift power.

 

[tomplum]

I don't know if your MT has the same bucket as my XJ, but the LS bucket on mine seems well made and I wouldn't be afraid to install them myself. Buy the forks and if they feel sketchy at all with your wood, get or make up a carry all for the 3 point. In fact I have the SSQA and purchased pallet forks. The weight of the SSQA and the made heavier than they need to be forks take away from what you can carry.

 

[Diggin It]

I'm working up an idea in the pea sized thinker on top of my shoulders that would go over the bucket lip nearly the full width instead of two clamp points. Have a couple of different possibilities using locally available U channel type materials. I'm not so concerned with trying to get a 1,000 pound capacity since my loader doesn't have that to begin with.

Need to take some measurements and try a few things before I post more.

 

[Diggin It]

Where could I get the type of clamp screws they use if I needed them? I can use standard bolts and nuts for a prototype.