Forks Should I invest in a set of Pallet Forks?

[Scotty Dive]

Is there an opinion on clamp on versus ratchet binder types

 

[mvwicker]

My most useful (front) attachment is my grapple. I also use my bucket to move gravel from the creek.

Having said that, this spring I need to buy some forks for the sole purpose of lifting a big deer stand onto a platform atop some 10' tall poles. Since it only weighs about 1,000 pounds, I'm going to buy the cheaper "clamp on to the bucket" type forks.

You may find it easier to clamp the deer stand onto the bucket and raise it. You'll gain some reach and won't have to balance the stand on the forks.

 

[yelbike]

Is there an opinion on clamp on versus ratchet binder types

I think that's a money question. If you can afford real ones, than do it. I guess if your bucket is quick attach that might a reason too.

 

[Woodchip1]

Go heavy duty not the cheap light ones.

 

[arrow]

Is there an opinion on clamp on versus ratchet binder types

I am leery of the clamp ons although plenty of folks have them. I don't like the aspect of putting that much pressure on the bucket bottom. I'm thinking that there might be something heavy enough one day to distort the bucket. 2. They look like they can move and pivot side to side which would be an absolute pain to deal with. For what they cost, you can get a set of dedicated forks for not that much more money.

 

[k0ua]

What Arrow Said.. I had clamp on, and converted them to Ratchet .. They worked much better. I traded them when I went SSQA.. better yet in my opinion.. Main trouble with the clamp on ones I had was pivoting and wanting to come off if you drug them on the ground in reverse.. If you clamped them hard, they left divots in the bucket. You mileage may vary, and these were cheaper e-bay models. not the high dollar ones from some of the more notable suppliers.

James K0UA

 

[JoeBuyer]

These guys have reasonable SSQA forks. I think the 36" ones would be most of what someone needs unless you load onto a truck or trailer bed a lot.

www.skidsteerexpress.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&category=FORK&keywords=all

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Is there an opinion on clamp on versus ratchet binder types

I am of the thinking of Arrow and KOua but I have not used the clamp-on but went with the chain-on initially after researching both options.

They are not as good as dedicated forks but that is not an option on my old 310B JD BH with the 'fixed' bucket. It is my guess each size bucket is not damaged by the chain-on version due to hydraulic by-pass protection. Our 60 HP 7.5' bucket will by-pass on lift and curl with a pallet loaded too heavy.

Once trying to lift a tall stack of plywood I thought I had broke something after a loud pop but it was just a link deforming and the hook caught on the next link and did not snap. We just had to set off about a foot of the full stack from Lowes by hand then I was able to lift, travel 120' near the ground then lift it to the second story OK. One of the Mexican crew wanted to ride the load up and I said NO. Those guys were like squirrels running up and down on a 2" ridge nailing (air) the rafters into the ridge. They were getting paid by CMB by the job so the more I moved/lifted with the $149 set of chain-on forks the quicker they got to go to GA and they had been on the road for a few weeks out in OK building models for some new Lowes stores.

The main feature of chain forks was the three point load distribution points keeping the full load off of the cutting edge/bottom of bucket. My source is no longer listed on E-bay but this is a simialr option. With a fixed bucket I am pleased with my $149 option. They go on fast and ride inside the bucket so I can keep both bucket and forks where I am working with ease. 2 sets makes a so so brush fork or lets you double up on pallet forks to spread the load on the bucket. Ours are about 2" high carbon drill pipe pulled from OK wells.

Yankeewarehouse.net

 

[caver]

This is what I have, me likey

 

[PandDLong]

For pallet forks, how does the weight rating work - those HLA forks are listed as 3700lbs @ 24" l.c.? Is that 24" from the loader attach point or ...? (I should know this or be able to figure it out - but the brain must be working at half-speed today)