Telescopic SSQA?

metalcaster · Apr 4, 2017

I find that with my SSQA fork attachment that I'm about 18-24" short of being able to stack one more bale high in the barn. I am thinking about a way to modify my fork attachment with another cylinder to get that last few inches of lift similar to a short forklift mast. The design in my mind would have two DOM tubes as guides with linear bearings over them for the travel with a single cylinder in the center for the lift. The cylinder connected to the lines for my grapple.
Has anyone seen anything like this yet? As you can tell from my title I really don't know what to call it and thus can't think of a good term to use to search the forum. Thoughts, ideas?

texasranger556 · Apr 4, 2017

How often do you stack hay? Could you just put your forks on upside down for the top row?

What you want sounds doable, but it would cut into your lifting capacity.

davedj1 · Apr 5, 2017

How about moving the stack to the side, setting one bale in and then setting the stack on top of that bale? (or a variation of bales) Should be the easiest thing.

Rustyiron · Apr 5, 2017

Sound's like you might be stacking round bales. These pics show a simple mechanical means that might be helpful for a possibly easier to build solution. I know I often over think things and complicate a build. Please show us what you come up with:thumbsup:

this obviously too big, but the simple "scissor" action could be scaled down.

I've studied this "action" and it's beauty is in it's simplicity. I wish I was able (smart enough) to use CAD with "modeling" on the computer.

Then of course if your talking regular square bales, I just wasted everyone's time:laughing:

metalcaster · Apr 5, 2017

Yes it is round bales - 4x5. I have 14' to ceiling but can only stack 2 high. I put them on a wood base that is 8" high to keep them off the ground. Lift capacity of my loader is around 1600# and the bales are around 400-600# each, so if I loose half of the capacity, I'm still able to lift the bales. I also erected a pallet rack outside to store some of the attachments. Having extra lift would allow me additional storage of materials on that as well.
I've looked at turning the forks over for a project last summer and for some reason that wouldn't work. And it is a pain to work with as you have to have the load high enough to slide into to begin with.
Maybe a vertical grapple would be easier? But then it would be only good for the hay.

Rustyiron · Apr 5, 2017

I used to store them 3 high (flat side down/up) My SS would reach to put the 3'rd one on the pile, but the tractor wouldn't. I'd stack 2 of them outside and put both of them (together) on the 1st. A little tricky but it was not that hard to do. This was using just regular forks.

texasranger556 · Apr 5, 2017

metalcaster said:
Yes it is round bales - 4x5. I have 14' to ceiling but can only stack 2 high. I put them on a wood base that is 8" high to keep them off the ground. Lift capacity of my loader is around 1600# and the bales are around 400-600# each, so if I loose half of the capacity, I'm still able to lift the bales. I also erected a pallet rack outside to store some of the attachments. Having extra lift would allow me additional storage of materials on that as well.
I've looked at turning the forks over for a project last summer and for some reason that wouldn't work. And it is a pain to work with as you have to have the load high enough to slide into to begin with.
Maybe a vertical grapple would be easier? But then it would be only good for the hay.

Rather than re-engineer the forks I would probably build an intermediate SSQA section. It would have "female" SSQA on one side and "male" SSQA on the other side. Use two sizes of C channel or a cut down light duty forklift mast in between with your hydraulics to do the lifting.

Attach telescopic intermediate section to tractor, then attach forks to front of that. That way you could use it with a bucket or any other SSQA attachment, and remove it when you need maximum lift capacity or rigidity (such as digging stumps or rocks).