Quick, CHEAP, bucket "forks"

dbdartman · Sep 15, 2007

Yesterday, I needed to move some large pallets that fence sections were on. First I tried clamping some 2X8 scraps on the bucket, but that didn't work at all. Then... inspiration!!! Cut down a couple pieces of of 2X6, add a couple screws each, & voila, cheap & dirty "forks" that slip into the bucket & are capable of moving the pallets! See attached.

kennyd · Sep 15, 2007

"Necessity is the mother of invention"

Egon · Sep 15, 2007

Neat!

I use a couple of old truck leaf springs bolted to the inside bottom of the bucket for forks.

higgy · Sep 15, 2007

I like it! Good thinking. I may use the principal and make a set out of metal. Thanks for the idea.

dbdartman · Sep 16, 2007

A few more pics of the cheap bucket forks at work. After this load was dumped, out came the screw gun, out came the screws, & into the dumpster went the forks. My brother insists I now qualify for at least honorary "red-neck status" (with all due respect to those from Georgia to Arkansas).

Oh, the "project" was clearing the construction debris that's been piled behind the garage since construction started on the house. Now that all the wood is gone, I just have to dig out all the concrete dumpings & left-over wall block (some will be used as rip-rap in a drainage ditch, the rest buried) & cut up & trash any remaining plastic & garbage (the 2 guys that built the pole barn last winter left an amazing amount of trash behind

).

dbdartman · Sep 16, 2007

higgy said:
I like it! Good thinking. I may use the principal and make a set out of metal. Thanks for the idea.

Just be aware that any weight on those forks is exerting an upward force on the top of your bucket, & a downward force on the bucket edge. You may want to consider reinforcing the top front edge of the bucket with a piece of angle iron on the inside, & limit your lifting to no more than a couple hundred pounds max.

BTDT · Sep 16, 2007

You may want to consider reinforcing the top front edge of the bucket with a piece of angle iron on the inside, & limit your lifting to no more than a couple hundred pounds max.

I chuckled when I read this and looked at your bucket. Looks like it's overdue for some reinforcement. Good job, I wouldn't have thought it would carry that big of a load without failing (your wood forks).

dbdartman · Sep 16, 2007

BTDT said:
I chuckled when I read this and looked at your bucket. Looks like it's overdue for some reinforcement. Good job, I wouldn't have thought it would carry that big of a load without failing (your wood forks).

LOL! Believe me, that bucket looks worse than the pics show! Should have seen it before I spent about an hour with a couple 3lb & 8lb hammers!

This old 4400 was "rode hard & put up wet" regularly long before I got my hands on it. It's perfect for my regular mowing requirements & the occasional hole (the back hoe is more fun than should be allowed).