Quick attach Pallet Forks

[Sherweld]

Just finished building a pallet fork set for my B7100. Future plans for frame may include grubber, etc.

 

[kramarj]

very nice, like the quick attach, i was just wondering what brand of tires you have on there and what size they are, i have been looking and cannot find any r4's for my b7100

 

[Sherweld]

Good question. After a lot of digging, I finally came up with a combination which would give the correct ratio front to rear in 4WD. It seems that 16" rim tires no longer exist, so I went with new 12 x 16.5 ag rims (which came with valve guards) This gave several tire options as well as the wider footprint I was looking for.

I was able to stay with the stock 12" front rims, but went with a 23 x 8.50 x 12 which is a slightly wider than stock tire, but seems to work just fine.

 

[kramarj]

thanks, i couldnt figure out why i cant find any good tires, do you remember what brand they are

 

[Sherweld]

thanks, i couldnt figure out why i cant find any good tires, do you remember what brand they are

Not sure of availability in other areas, but the name on the sidewall is "SOLIDEAL" (both front and rear) The rear OD is approx 32.5" the front is approx 22". If you go to 16.5" rims, I think there are plenty of options.

As close as I've been able to measure, I believe the rear to front B7100 gear ratio is somewhere around 1.45 - 1.47.

Regards
Sherweld

 

[KubotaSam]

It seems that 16" rim tires no longer exist, so I went with new 12 x 16.5 ag rims (which came with valve guards) This gave several tire options as well as the wider footprint I was looking for.

Where did you get the 16.5 wheels? How much did they cost? Did they have the centers with the correct bolt pattern or did you need to cut the centers out of your old wheels.

 

[Sherweld]

Where did you get the 16.5 wheels?
Local Northwest dealer "Les Schwab", but I have since found that size rim easily on line.
How much did they cost?
I don't recall exactly, but somewhere in the $100 range.
Did they have the centers with the correct bolt pattern or did you need to cut the centers out of your old wheels.
Exact fit, 6 lugs x 6". (actually 12 holes coned opposite so that the wheel can be mounted in or out, also valve stem guard, and 4 mounting holes for wheel weight)

Regards
Sherweld

 

[Robert6401]

Those forks look awesome. You must have some mad welding skills. How much would you charge to make another set?

 

[Sherweld]

Those forks look awesome. You must have some mad welding skills. How much would you charge to make another set?

Sorry .... When my design and/or welding is potentially exposed to liability issues of life and limb by others, my homeowners insurance company would have some kind of a cow.

What I have done is attach a quick sketch of the forks I have built. Please feel free to use the design if you choose, at your own risk of course. They have easily hoisted a pallet loaded 500-600#'s
The reasons I like this scheme are;
1. The channel itself can be welded fully on all sides on the "tension" side where tubing cannot.
2. 3 1/2" flatbar fits perfectly into a 4"-5# channel making a nice rectangular section.
3. I'm fairly confident these forks will lift what my loader can (which isn't much over 800# or so).
4. The fillet plates on the sides both stiffen the joint, and hopefully prevent a sudden failure at the weld itself.
5. I chose not to use the bucket type fork, because this type keeps the payload closer to the tractor, allowing more capacity.
6. I have visions of using the frame for other things such as grubbing, possibly boom pole, whatever.

And once again I must caution, I am a "farmer engineer" without any professional credentials, so be careful out there.

Sherweld

 

[TDVT]

Sherweld, I was also admiring your design & especially like the hook-style bracket for hanging the forks. I am assuming that the bar/pipe mounted above the angle the forks hang from is a retainer so they slide, but won't pop off? You don't have a little closer pics of that detail do you?

I had started cutting metal for a bucket-mounted (no QA), non-adjustable trash fork until I saw your set-up & I'm now revising it to have multiple, sliding/removable forks.
Thanks, TD

 

[Sherweld]

Sherweld, I was also admiring your design & especially like the hook-style bracket for hanging the forks. I am assuming that the bar/pipe mounted above the angle the forks hang from is a retainer so they slide, but won't pop off? You don't have a little closer pics of that detail do you?

I had started cutting metal for a bucket-mounted (no QA), non-adjustable trash fork until I saw your set-up & I'm now revising it to have multiple, sliding/removable forks.
Thanks, TD

Correct on the bar/pipe.
Here's a pic. of "hook" under construction.
Still making up my mind as to final detent detail. I'll live with it for a bit as is, and see what might be required.
Weight of a finished fork 43.7# as built. Did not weigh frame, but guessing in the 8o-100# range because I can still manage to carry it around.

Regards
Sherweld

 

[TDVT]

Excellent! Thanks for taking the time to post the photo. Nice design.

TD

 

[bialecki]

What I have done is attach a quick sketch of the forks I have built.

In today's day and age with 3D modeling such as ProE and SolidWorks sometimes (more times than not) Pad CAD is the best tool for creating the design. I have seen numerous patents come about from sketches on napkins. Your art work is appreciated!

 

[shadow753]

Sherweld after seeing your pallet forks i decided to build a set for my JD 3320, I started with 4" channel &3.5 filler as you did but am going with a fork set sliding on a 1 3/16" bar. also had to make addptors for JD quick tach plates. will try to include pic,s next week shadow 753

 

[Chilly807]

I think I'll check around and see if I can find 2x4 steel tube, if I can I'll cut the front 4 inches at an angle then weld a cover plate on.

Sean