tractor Forks help

[DanD78]

For the bottom pins I used catagory #2, 3 point pins that have the threaded stud. The shank is about 2 1/2" long is already tapered on the end and is drilled for a snap pin. I drilled a 1 1/8 hole and welded it in from the back side of the mounting plate then cut off what was left over. These were about $3.00 each at Farm & Fleet. I wish I had looked for the top hooks in parts instead of forming my own.

 

[Rowdius]

I just built a set of bucket forks for my Kioti CK35. I think my next project after my brush rake will be a regular set of forks.

After a trip to the scrap yard I came home with 300lbs of rectangle and square tubing, some flat stock, some channel and a long piece of 1 1/2 steel rod. Scrap prices are down, (25 cents per lb) so I paid $80 for everything.

My forks probably weigh about 200lbs, which is a little more than I had planned on, but this also includes where I reinforced the bucket. The tines are 2x3 tube, 1/4" wall. The verticals that attach to the tines are 2x4 tube, 3/16 or 1/4 wall (I cannot remember at the moment.) These attach to the steel rod, and that attaches to the reciever hitches mounted on my bucket.
I hadn't planned on using so much 1/4 inch metal, but I found two pieces that were perfect in size.

I still have enough metal to almost finish the brush rake, so the real price for just the forks would be about $60, including the reciever tubes i bought for the bucket. Took about four hours to build.

My camera is busted right now, but I'm hoping to get photos soon.

 

[pat32rf]

I went the other route when I built mine. Made a bottom frame out of 5" channel, back to back with 3" uprights. Drilled holes in top and bottom of channel every 6" then made forks out of truck axles, mounted on short pieces of 5" channel. Welded plates on top and bottom of fork channel with holes that line up with base frame so I can drop 6" pins thru. Not infinitely adjustable but does for me to move logs and skids.
Oh, and I have a coupla pieces of square steel tubing (1/4"wall) that fit over the axle shafts when I need longer forks, like carrying the aluminum boat or lifting the raft out for the winter. I also can pick up the skidoos from the rear to store them. For lighter jobs I slip pieces of 2.5" steel thinwall pipe over the forks.
I have also made a "log holder" that fits the same frame with which I can lift a small (8-12") log from one end and hold it off the ground while its cut into lengths for the wood splitter. I also use this when building sidehill trails in the bush as I can place logs out in front of the tractor instead of pulling them into place with a rope and pulley accross a low spot.

 

[mentat30]

My cousin made me a set for my 3pt. They are 36" long. They work perfect. The problem with really long forks is they stick out on the other side of the pallet. So if you forget...been there done that and go to place the pallet next to a wall or something you could end up jamming the forks through the wall. For most things the shorter forks work great. You could always add fork extensions if you need them to be longer. Just remember the farther away from your tractors lift point the less lift you have. For example if your tractor is rated at 1000lb lift normally with the bucket or 3pt. If you move that same load just 12 inches farther away from your lift point your lift capacity will drop 30% to 40%. There are other factors to consider in calculating lift capacity, but the farther away from the lift point the less capacity. Shorter forks keep the weight of the load closer to the lift point.

 

[6sunset6]

I have 42 " forks. I am short and I cannot see the ends of the forks. If I stand up the engine shuts off (new tractor). I handle firewood on pallets.
I build the pallets out of PT and use the same design that is used for patio stones.Double the outboard spacers and slid the sides between them. Raining out and I have to report for jury duty or I would get a picture.
I make the pallets 4 x 4 x 4 good use of 8' lumber no waste but saw dust.
I find that depending on the type of wood I can lift the pallet or not. But after a year of drying I can lift everything. If I cannot lift it I just take some off. I have a QA on my FEL. I have been thinking of a QA on my 3 point , I can probably lift 2x the front. For moving full pallets around on the ground it might work a little better.

 

[tmc2318]

For your size tractor I would go with 36" . I bought my forks for my Kubota 3540 that are 36" and they are fine for pallets etc. Better than 42" because they are lighter and with longer forks it is harder to turn and make sure you don't hit anything with the forks way out in front. For a larger tractor..ya... 48"

 

[F.L. Jennings]

I picked up a set of fork truck forks at a metals salvage company for 12 cents a lb. and built them as a quick detach for the FEL bucket.they are about 1 3/4" thick with approx.40" extensions with tapered ends.

 

[wowbw7]

the 42's are your best bet. standard pallets (we called 'em 'general mills' pallets) measure 40x48. the 3 stringers on must are cut to accept tines from the side, giving you the option to grab the pallet from any direction.

 

[WilliamBos]

Here is what we built.

 

[Rowdius]

Here is what we built.

Good looking stuff... Is that 1/2 inch plate? How much do they weight?