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)

 

[Alan L.]

I use my pallet forks quite a bit. Probably the number one use is moving limbs after cutting with the chain saw. You can really get a big load of brush at one time with these things. I have also unloaded a frig, lift couches up to the storage area above living quarters in my shop, unloaded my 60 gallon compressor from the truck, etc etc etc. Very handy indeed.

 

[PhysAssist]

..... deleted to keep brief.

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

Hey Gale,

We just love our Yankee Warehouse Chain-ons.

They are easy on and off- even with our BXpanded Pirhana Toothbar.

The UPS shipping was reasonable, and quick, and the learning curve was smooth and fairly flat.

They are rated for #3500 and have been rock-solid in our use as above.

Thomas

 

[grsthegreat]

yes...yes...yes...


cant believe the number of times i used them over the last 1-1/2 years.

i wonder why i never thought of getting some earlier

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Thomas thank you for sharing your experience with Yankee Warehouse Chain-on's. As I get older I look for solutions that can save my back and help keep up the place. Making a bush burn pile of all the parts of the tree instead of just the limbs is so doable now. Setting off a loaded pallet with the FEL vs. off-loading by hand is awesome too.

 

[kiotiken]

Handling the firewood on pallets like that is one use I could definitely take advantage of. What is the lift capacity of your FEL?

This is my biggest use of pallet forks as well. I use firewood bags and go straight from the splitter onto the pallet. Once the bag is full and tied, you can stack them, I make a pyramid shape with two on the bottom and one in the middle on top and then cover the whole thing with a silage tarp. I have a row about 30ft long for this winter.

I tried this with a fairly heavy duty set of 48" forks on my CK30 with 1200lbs lift capacity. I could only lift a little more than half a cord at a time. That was one of the big reasons I upgraded to my DK45 which is a much better match to the forks. I believe your lift capacity on a MX5100 is similar to mine and there's NO issue lifing a face cord (bags might not quite hold a full cord, but close) and stacking them. I don't think you'd find a way to keep more wood on a pallet than your tractor would lift. It is heavy though and it is WAY out in front of you, so you need some good ballast on the back.

If you do get forks, you'll also find yourself putting everything you own on a pallet. I've used them for tons of things I never would have thought of before I had them.

 

[Missouri Pioneer]

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.

I have some welded on chain hooks on the top of my bucket and out of necessity, I was planning on chaining the stand on, since it is 5x8 and weighs about 1,000 lbs.

 

[PhysAssist]

This is my biggest use of pallet forks as well.... deleted for brevity....

If you do get forks, you'll also find yourself putting everything you own on a pallet. I've used them for tons of things I never would have thought of before I had them.

True that- I find myself watching for and picking up pallets to bring home and put stuff on.

I hadn't thought of the bags, but mayhap we'll give 'em a try.


Thomas

 

[Turbys_1700]

I have a set of clamp on forks and have been very pleased...
The type that I have places the stress of the load all the way back to the bottom of the bucket...
If I am lifting a heavy load I try to get the forks as far under the load as possible and then curl the bucket as much as possible in order to lessen the forces on the actual bucket lip...
I have attached a link to the ones I purchased...
Very heavy duty and an excellent price...
And for those of us that have pin on buckets these are a very affordable alternative to the other type pallet forks...

Clamp on Loader Bucket Skid Tractor Pallet Fork Chain | eBay

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have a set of clamp on forks and have been very pleased...
The type that I have places the stress of the load all the way back to the bottom of the bucket...
If I am lifting a heavy load I try to get the forks as far under the load as possible and then curl the bucket as much as possible in order to lessen the forces on the actual bucket lip...
I have attached a link to the ones I purchased...
Very heavy duty and an excellent price...
And for those of us that have pin on buckets these are a very affordable alternative to the other type pallet forks...

Clamp on Loader Bucket Skid Tractor Pallet Fork Chain | eBay

Turbys_1700 that is one impressive set of forks because they are fast clamp-on but are chain-on ready too plus are rated at 4000 for the set.

Skid Steer Attachments Pallet Forks Hay Spears Bobcat Cat John Deere Mount Plate

Good details on this site too at $169 with Free shipping. The $49 binder deal is a plus too.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I have a set of clamp on forks and have been very pleased...
The type that I have places the stress of the load all the way back to the bottom of the bucket...
If I am lifting a heavy load I try to get the forks as far under the load as possible and then curl the bucket as much as possible in order to lessen the forces on the actual bucket lip...
I have attached a link to the ones I purchased...
Very heavy duty and an excellent price...
And for those of us that have pin on buckets these are a very affordable alternative to the other type pallet forks...

Clamp on Loader Bucket Skid Tractor Pallet Fork Chain | eBay

Turbys_1700 that is one impressive set of forks because they are fast clamp-on but are chain-on ready too plus are rated at 4000 for the set.

Skid Steer Attachments Pallet Forks Hay Spears Bobcat Cat John Deere Mount Plate

Good details on this site too at $169 with Free shipping. The $49 binder deal is a plus too.