Tractor fork capacity question

[RobA]

This may be a dumb question - is there any reason to get forks with a capacity significantly more than the lift capacity of the tractor?

I have a Kubota L5030HST with an LA853 loader. The loader lift capacity is 2,374 to full height. I'm assuming it wouldn't make sense to get forks rated for more than 3,000 pounds.

 

[CobyRupert]

(IMHO)
I'd say 3000lb rating for a 2374lb max lift loader would be fine.

If you're tip-toeing up to the edge on rating numbers, then look close at what those numbers mean.
2374 lb is lift capacity to maximum height, but what is breakout force?
Is rating at pins, or ~24" ahead of pins. What would lift (or break-out) rating be at end of forks?
Same for forks: Is rating at "the bend" of forks, 1/2 way out on fork, or at tip of forks?

Apples to apples.

 

[RobA]

Lift of 2,374 is at pin. Lift at 500 mm is 1,764. Breakout is 3,125.

 

[Jchonline]

Agree 3000lb will be fine.

 

[Captain Dirty]

This may be a dumb question - is there any reason to get forks with a capacity significantly more than the lift capacity of the tractor?

"Significantly" is an operative word here with wiggle room. The more robust build of the higher rated forks typically means heavier forks that subtract from the payload you can lift. You get to make that decision. FWIW my loader is rated for 2200#; I opted for 4400# forks (That was Woods next step up). The 4400 rated forks weigh 390#; the 2200 weigh 275.

I knew that I would try to lift more than my machine could, and I have done so. I rationalized it was better to learn of excessive weight from the hydraulic by-pass kicking in than from putting a bend, or worse, in the forks.

 

[LouNY]

The higher rated forks will be beneficial if you may tend to be rough on them.
Use just one fork with sling or chain out towards the tip end to lift or pull with.
Attempting to dig out a rock with a fork.
Just getting the tip of a fork under something to lift it instead of getting a jack.
Many times you will see a fork with a hole in it close to the tip for a clevis.
Those forks are normally rated at the back end of them for the pair.

 

[4570Man]

I’d say 3,000 pounds would be fine. 4-5000 would also be fine. If your loader lifted 1000 pounds there’s no need to get 5,000 pound forks because they’d use up half your capacity.

 

[Deere Dude]

The higher rated forks will be beneficial if you may tend to be rough on them.
Use just one fork with sling or chain out towards the tip end to lift or pull with.
Attempting to dig out a rock with a fork.
Just getting the tip of a fork under something to lift it instead of getting a jack.
Many times you will see a fork with a hole in it close to the tip for a clevis.
Those forks are normally rated at the back end of them for the pair.

I have maybe 1500+# lift capacity but I got 4-5000# capacity forks. By digging out stumps of lifting something uneven I tweeked one fork down 1/2 +" or so at the end of one fork. If you just want to lift light pallets and everything is evenly loaded, light forks will be fine.

I have a saddle for the end of the forks with a ball and that puts stress on the forks when maneuvering a 6k trailer, which I never considered when I bought the forks.

 

[Smokeydog]

Tractors and the chores they perform are rough on forks. See lots of bent skid steer forks at scrap yard... so buy the best you can.

 

[fried1765]

Tractors and the chores they perform are rough on forks. See lots of bent skid steer forks at scrap yard... so buy the best you can.

My L48 loader breakout force is 4375 lbs.
My EA forks are 4400# (high quality?).
For any real breakout force, such as stumps, I use the other end of my machine.
11' backhoe, makes most breakout easy.