SSQA forkss

[JJZ 109]

I've got a Kubota B3030 with LA403 loader and Washburn universal SSQA pinned to it.
Currently, I've got an old set of Wifo forks, but these things are pretty darned heavy and use up a lot of my limited lifting capacity.
Any suggestions for a lightweight set that won't break the bank for the forks and shipping? I'm looking at some at Skid Steer Attachments Pallet Forks Hay Spears Bobcat Cat John Deere Mount Plate that have free shipping and look to be quite a bit lighter than my current forks (which are listed now on Craigslist).

 

[JJZ 109]

It looks like the weight for the 36" forks are 310 lbs. and the 42" are 330 lbs. in the link mentioned in the earlier post.
That would still take away a fair amount of my lift capacity but are still lighter than the current set that I have.

 

[blueriver]

I've got a Kubota B3030 with LA403 loader and Washburn universal SSQA pinned to it.
Currently, I've got an old set of Wifo forks, but these things are pretty darned heavy and use up a lot of my limited lifting capacity.
Any suggestions for a lightweight set that won't break the bank for the forks and shipping? I'm looking at some at Skid Steer Attachments Pallet Forks Hay Spears Bobcat Cat John Deere Mount Plate that have free shipping and look to be quite a bit lighter than my current forks (which are listed now on Craigslist).

I bought the combo hay spear/pallet forks from them and they are very nice and do a great job. When I got them they were $595 with the free shipping.

Takes only a couple minutes to change out ... course if ya don't need the hay spear I think you save a 100 bucks.

 

[JJZ 109]

Thanks blueriver. No need for a spear with me. Mostly I have to move 325-350 lb. rolls of aluminum coil for my seamless gutter machine.
Probably will order once the holiday & weekend are over. My current forks are just too heavy and the tines are a little too time consuming and heavy to move alone.

 

[k0ua]

I have these, they are light, and move easily.

James K0UA


Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42

 

[JJZ 109]

I have these, they are light, and move easily.

James K0UA


Construction Attachments 42" Compact Tractor loader Pallet Forks CAL-1PFCMPSM42

Thanks. A bit more money, but 100 pounds lighter. That's substantial when the loader only has about an 800 lb. lift capacity to start with. Add to that the fact that I've got a universal quick attach pinned to it, which puts the load that much further ahead of the lift arms and lowers capacity a tad more.
I just contacted EA to check into the free shipping offer.

 

[k0ua]

Only downsides I have found are when there is nothing on the forks (no weight) they will "migrate on the slide bar" as you travel on a sidehill and go over bumps. they never move when you have any weight on them but when empty they will slide some if you are sideways on a hill. They are not like those others above where you can put a hay spear on either, they do not remove easily from the frame, they are on a big slidebar that is greased. They are really easy to adjust by pressing with one hand on the upper portion and picking up a little of the weight with the other and sliding them one way or another. A child could do it.. Max weight is 1800 lbs. which is way more than my loader will lift, so no problem there. They are well constructed, and fit well, no slop with the kubota SSQA.

James K0UA

 

[SPYDERLK]

Only downsides I have found are when there is nothing on the forks (no weight) they will "migrate on the slide bar" as you travel on a sidehill and go over bumps.
James K0UA

These are extremely useful on a tractor. Clamp to nuts or round things w/o marring.
http://www.amazon.com/Vise-Grip-Locking-Wrench-Wire-Cutter/dp/B00004SBBD

They come in a 10 inch size too.
larry

 

[magicheater]

Here are some pics of a Q/A and forks I built for my LA402 loader which is very similar in capacity to the LA403 if not the same. The Q/A + the fork weight is less than 200#. The weight of the fire bricks on the skid is 800#. I weighed each size individually and did the math. You can see it is quite a long skid and the Q/A extends the forks about 3.75". Adding in the weight of the skid and misc lumber, I would guess you are close to 900#. I am pleased even though this was as high as I could lift it.

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks. A bit more money, but 100 pounds lighter. That's substantial when the loader only has about an 800 lb. lift capacity to start with. Add to that the fact that I've got a universal quick attach pinned to it, which puts the load that much further ahead of the lift arms and lowers capacity a tad more.
I just contacted EA to check into the free shipping offer.

I think you are on the right path with these forks, much lighter than my 48" forks with the sliding rail.

That is a very nice picture of your dog.:thumbsup:

 

[JJZ 109]

I think you are on the right path with these forks, much lighter than my 48" forks with the sliding rail.

That is a very nice picture of your dog.:thumbsup:

Yeah, the plan is to sell the current forks and get a set from EA. I think the extra money will be worth the weight savings. I emailed EA with freight question but have yet to hear back from them. Maybe they took a long holiday weekend!
My wife got that shot of the dog last summer. She'll be 12 on Jan. 1 and still going strong. (the dog, not the wife) :laughing:

 

[blueriver]

Yeah, the plan is to sell the current forks and get a set from EA. I think the extra money will be worth the weight savings. I emailed EA with freight question but have yet to hear back from them. Maybe they took a long holiday weekend!
My wife got that shot of the dog last summer. She'll be 12 on Jan. 1 and still going strong. (the dog, not the wife) :laughing:

most generally EA id free shipping ... let us know if its not.

 

[JJZ 109]

most generally EA id free shipping ... let us know if its not.

The issue may be because I don't have a loading dock. I do run a business out of my home that has a published phone number like they require. My tractor/loader is here to remove the forks from a truck.
My question for them was whether I met their free shipping guidelines or not. Heck, even if they can drop it at a terminal I'll pick it up if I can save the trucking fees.
No reply yet, but it was Thanksgiving day when I sent the inquiry.

 

[blueriver]

The issue may be because I don't have a loading dock. I do run a business out of my home that has a published phone number like they require. My tractor/loader is here to remove the forks from a truck.
My question for them was whether I met their free shipping guidelines or not. Heck, even if they can drop it at a terminal I'll pick it up if I can save the trucking fees.
No reply yet, but it was Thanksgiving day when I sent the inquiry.

Same here ... I just never tell any seller/freight carrier I don't have a dock, I just tell them we are equiped to off load.

 

[JJZ 109]

I received a reply from Rick at EA on Sunday. Sounds to me like as long as someone will be here on delivery day with a means to offload, there isn't really any problem.
Now I just gotta sell the old forks so that I can order! :thumbsup:

 

[IXLR8]

I have the EA forks as well, although they were about $500.00 when I bought them. I had them delivered to my wifes business address and when I picked them up... the business used their forklift to drop them in the back of my pickup... couldn't have been any easier. Also, large delivery trucks don't like making the 1/3 mile trip down our narrow dirt road so having it delivered to her business was just easier. They work well, rated for more than my FEL, easy to move forks. I have never had mine 'readjust' themselves when moving empty... then again I haven't lubed them since I got them 2+ years ago.... something more to do this weekend. I find myself using them more and more... now thinking of adding a bolt on grapple jaws to make brush moving easier without the cost and weight of a full grapple.

 

[oldboyscout]

I have the same set as James. Mine also migrate, but they work great otherwise. I accidentally lifted a rear wheel by sticking one fork in the ground a lifting the boom (must have been under a root). Major pucker factor, but didn't bend the fork.