Suggestions for light weight pallet forks

[AlmostThere]

I have a subcompact 2021 MF GC1723EB that I would like to get Skid Steer quick attach pallet forks. This tractor has limited lift abilities, it could not lift a 540# tiller out of my utility trailer using chains on the bucket but could barely lift it once on the ground. I really don't want to use clamp on forks since that will reduce lift even more by adding distance to the FEL. Obviously I don't require greater than 1000# capacity since it would not be able to lift that anyway.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[tacticalturnip]

I've been quite satisfied with my 42" set from Titan (palletforks.com); to give an honest evaluation I need to say that the fit and finish is mediocre at best, however they were affordable and have proven themselves invaluable.

 

[Jims1025R]

I have the quick attach pallet forks for my JD1025R, and I'm very happy with them. One little trick for lifting the occasional "just a little too heavy" load (and making sure you use ballast) is to consider taking the forks off the frame to save the weight of the forks themselves, if you can safely tie the load to the fork frame for the one lift. It'll give you an extra 100 pounds lift capacity.

 

[PatentGuy]

I believe the frame and forks from Artillian will be the lightest you will find, likely also the priciest. Very nice product and the frame can be used with many attachments thus obtaining more value.

 

[wisconsitom]

I got the smallest, lightest, 42-inchers that were adjustable and had a bit of headache rack, albeit for my larger bobcat 2025. Mine are cid and I'd guess roughly equivalent to the Titan product. You're right to not want to " over-fork" your tractor, but I think you'll be disappointed if you go with the very lightest offerings that don't feature the 2 items I mentioned above. Or at least, ability to adjust fork spacing.

 

[seville009]

What is it that you will be lifting? Just wondering if what you need to do could be done with a chain(s) or strap around the bucket instead of heavier forks; that would help reduce the weight limitations a bit.

 

[Diggin It]

I did this: How Stupid Is This Idea? (Related to Pallet Forks)


Made a few modifications since then, but the gist is, I can use it as shown, without the bucket or on the rear three point.

Only real negative is that the 'forks' are not adjustable, but I don't really need that for what I do.

 

[jeff9366]

I can understand SSQA pallet forks on the 2011 LS 5020c, which shows in your T-B-N PROFILE.

SSQA pallet forks make no sense to me attached to a 2021 MF GC1723EB.

BUY ENOUGH TRACTOR


​

I really don't want to use clamp on forks since that will reduce lift more by adding distance to the FEL.

The weight of SSQA paraphernalia, ~120 pounds~ will detract from every lift as much as more than forward mounting of clamp on pallet forks. Clamp-on forks can be removed when not needed, minimizing payload penalty.



Consider a $249 TPH Boom Pole for your irregular lifting needs. Heavy lifts are more safely accomplished from the TPH.

VENDER:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-boom-pole?cid=Search-Google-TSC_DYN-Dynamic%20All%20Site-All%20Site%20TSC&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Search&utm_campaign=TSC_DYN&utm_content=Dynamic%20All%20Site&utm_term=All%20Site%20TSC&gclid=Cj0KCQjwma6TBhDIARIsAOKuANx20lZmqdMkBjERrd6M4QoOp-UE9G7VtsdeL4Dkuza1JcRikWUHX9EaAj4tEALw_wcB

VIDEOS:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tractor+light+weight+boom+pole

 

[kenmbz]

the bush on the left was about 600lbs. Just tilted back towards bucket to lift.
Get the SSQA forks, short and moveable and you will be amazed what you can lift closer to the "pins"
Move the 600lbs 2 feet in and probably get 800-900 lift.
I have clamp ons due to cost and need to be carefull not to bend the bucket while moving.

 

[AaronD81]

I have a subcompact 2021 MF GC1723EB that I would like to get Skid Steer quick attach pallet forks. This tractor has limited lift abilities, it could not lift a 540# tiller out of my utility trailer using chains on the bucket but could barely lift it once on the ground. I really don't want to use clamp on forks since that will reduce lift even more by adding distance to the FEL. Obviously I don't require greater than 1000# capacity since it would not be able to lift that anyway.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

If you want to maximize lift capability, the Land Pride PFL1242 at 220lbs are probably the lightest you'll find. They're made specifically for tractors your size, but even if you upgrade to a bigger tractor you likely won't exceed their lift limit.

Land Pride

www.landpride.com

Most other manufacturers start at 2,000lb lift and typically weight over 300lbs, the ones below are the lightest I've found.

Everything Attachments has the lightest 2,000lb forks at 235lbs, but with a 5 month wait.

Small Compact Tractor and Mini Skid Steer Pallet Forks

Pallet forks designed for compact tractors or mini skid steers. Free shipping!

www.everythingattachments.com

Bobcat has 275lb 2,200lb forks.

2.5K Standard Duty Pallet Fork with 42" Teeth, 7445050

Move bulky, bagged or palletized material quickly and easily with the standard duty pallet fork attachment. Adjustable forks load and unload, lift and carry, move and place materials around a variety of jobsites. A load rating of 2500 lbs. evaluated by Bobcat engineers who test the strength and...

shop.bobcat.com

Woods also has 275lb 2,500lb forks.

PFW2242S2 - Woods Equipment

Standard Plus Versatility All Woods pallet forks come standard with a lifting clevis that has the same capacity as the forks for picking up loads with a lifting strap or chain. Durability Certified, forged steel fork tines for strength, durability, and long life. Easy Operation Full-height frame...

woodsequipment.com

 

[5030]

Glad none of you live close to me. I already have enough front end loader buckets with 'smiles' in the to fix as it is. A smile is almost impossible to get out without cutting the side sheets loose from the floor sheet. Most of them were caused by people using clamp on or slip on pallet forks and exceeding what their buckets could bear without deforming the floor sheet and every one I've repaired was a light duty material bucket with a single floor sheet.

Dealers offer HD excavation buckets as a build accessory but most all units come with a light gauge material only bucket from the factory. Easy to tell the difference by looking at the floor sheet and the back side. Material buckets usually have a brake formed top whereas an excavation bucket will have a round pipe welded to the side sheets.

 

[AlmostThere]

If you want to maximize lift capability, the Land Pride PFL1242 at 220lbs are probably the lightest you'll find. They're made specifically for tractors your size, but even if you upgrade to a bigger tractor you likely won't exceed their lift limit.

Land Pride

www.landpride.com

Most other manufacturers start at 2,000lb lift and typically weight over 300lbs, the ones below are the lightest I've found.

Everything Attachments has the lightest 2,000lb forks at 235lbs, but with a 5 month wait.

Small Compact Tractor and Mini Skid Steer Pallet Forks

Pallet forks designed for compact tractors or mini skid steers. Free shipping!

www.everythingattachments.com

Bobcat has 275lb 2,200lb forks.

2.5K Standard Duty Pallet Fork with 42" Teeth, 7445050

Move bulky, bagged or palletized material quickly and easily with the standard duty pallet fork attachment. Adjustable forks load and unload, lift and carry, move and place materials around a variety of jobsites. A load rating of 2500 lbs. evaluated by Bobcat engineers who test the strength and...

shop.bobcat.com

Woods also has 275lb 2,500lb forks.

PFW2242S2 - Woods Equipment

Standard Plus Versatility All Woods pallet forks come standard with a lifting clevis that has the same capacity as the forks for picking up loads with a lifting strap or chain. Durability Certified, forged steel fork tines for strength, durability, and long life. Easy Operation Full-height frame...

woodsequipment.com

 

[AlmostThere]

Many thanks all for the suggestions! Y'all have given me some great information.

What is it that you will be lifting?

Good question. I have recently retired and have a ... what to call it... maybe a "hobby shop" near home. I'll be working on small projects that will occasionally require moving some heavier items. I'm not talking tons of weight but items of a few hundred pounds. I did weld some clevis hooks onto the bucket and do use those but there are times I'd prefer to lift items from under rather than by chains.

I can understand SSQA pallet forks on the 2011 LS 5020c, which shows in your T-B-N PROFILE.

I need to add the Massey to my profile, it is a recent addition. The LS I have at my rural property. It is a great workhorse

You're right to not want to " over-fork" your tractor, but I think you'll be disappointed if you go with the very lightest offerings that don't feature the 2 items I mentioned above. Or at least, ability to adjust fork spacing.

Thanks for the suggestions!

If you want to maximize lift capability,

Thanks for the links!

I was disappointed the Massey could not able to lift the tiller at 540# from the trailer using chains but it is a subcompact. The bucket weighs 58 kg or about 125#. So replacing it with an ~250# pallet fork isn't that bad of a compromise.

I already have enough front end loader buckets with 'smiles' in the to fix as it is.

Understood! Another reason I'd prefer to not use clamp ons.

Again thanks all, y'all have given me great feedback!

 

[daman1]

They make pallet Forks UNDER 200 lb with 36" forks that's what you want for a subcompact

 

[BrierPatch]

I know this is an old thread but wanted to update it with what I found. Redline Systems Inc. has some of the lightest light duty forks I've been able to find. They make them for the Kubota BX, but he will do a custom mount. 162 lbs with 36" tines pin on or 177 lbs with SSQA is pretty light. I haven't bought a set, but talked with him and he was very informative and helpful.

Kubota BX Tractor Pallet Forks - Pallet Fork Attachment for Kubota - Redline Systems

This pallet fork attachment for Kubota BX tractors is made in the USA by Redline Systems. Kubota pallet forks, forklift attachment.

www.redlinesystemsinc.com

 

[SmallChange]

I bought Titan Attachments forks on Amazon, the exact product linked below. I like them just fine. Things can always be better, but these have worked out for me and were much less expensive than some other brands.

There's some possible confusion. There were separate "Titan" and "Titan Attachments" brands, no relation I think, and people sometimes refer to both as simply "Titan". Then one of them changed their name just to fix this confusion. Anybody who remembers more clearly than this, please help straighten me out!

What I bought, in April '21:

Amazon.com

 

[Williy]

I just purchased clamp on pallet forks for $79 for moving
pallets around I have a few stacks of them just sit in cab
and place them where every I want them
I use the bucket with straps or chains to move any thing heavy.

willy

 

[crazyjake8493]

I know this is an old thread but wanted to update it with what I found. Redline Systems Inc. has some of the lightest light duty forks I've been able to find. They make them for the Kubota BX, but he will do a custom mount. 162 lbs with 36" tines pin on or 177 lbs with SSQA is pretty light. I haven't bought a set, but talked with him and he was very informative and helpful.

Kubota BX Tractor Pallet Forks - Pallet Fork Attachment for Kubota - Redline Systems

This pallet fork attachment for Kubota BX tractors is made in the USA by Redline Systems. Kubota pallet forks, forklift attachment.

www.redlinesystemsinc.com

Looks like a great solution for subcompact tractors. I've be using HLA's 900lb rated set on my SCUT. 205lb total weight with 42" forks.

I would never want cheapo clamp-on forks, but I could never imagine owning a tractor without a set of good forks. Our most used implement by far.

 

[BoonieX739]

Buy the lightest, strongest you can buy. They are expensive, because they are purpose built for subcompact machines

 

[Williy]

I paid $79 for pallet forks very heavy metal but they might
weight 200 lbs my front end loader will lift 1300 lbs and I
don't have any thing that weights around 1100 lbs So I
believe I did good. Why pay more for something I don't
have any use for. Some go for $675.00 to over $1900.00
For the difference in price I can buy a lot of katsup for my
midnight snacks

willy