Forks You showed me your forks now let me show you mine

[gotrocks]

After numerous trips to the drawing board and several wooden models I finally got some forks. Originally I was going to use 2x4 chanel but a friend gave me a couple of old forks from a lift truck. They are approx 100# each which is heaver than the 2x4 chanel would have been but then they are much stronger. My step-dad said "Don't look a gift tossed in the mouth." Found a scrap of 1 1/4 round stock and cut two pcs each of 1/2 x 2 and 1/2 x 1. Then went to welding shop and had him cut me two 6" pcs. 2x4 thick wall stock.
By sitting the forks upright I can tip the bucket forward, ease up under the fabricated top extention, roll the bucket up and the forks are in place. Just hauled one small load to the fire pile and notice the forks will not slant forward for simple dump, had to "flip" a little but I sure beats anything else I have ever used after pruning my fruit trees. Notice the tops of the 2x4 can hold wooden stakes to catch material that may try to fall back. Hope this is in the proper forum, I didn't know if it should have been in customization. Now let's see if I can post my photos. Thanks to all who have answered my post in the past.

 

[rdln]

I like that idea. the flange on my jd bucket is bent downward but I see we store our shovel in the same place./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[shade2u2]

Those look great. I original wanted to go that route, but I put cutting teeth on my FEL bucket this past weekend - 7 little (8") forks. I finally found some that would fit for $200(new). They were made for a JD skidsteer but fit my 60" bucket just right. Someday I'll get some pics. It makes a big difference with handling brush and logs - I really like it. I can't wait to dig with them...

 

[ejb]

Nice job...I really need to get a welding machine...

 

[Bird]

I gotta ask; are those forks hollow? The picture makes it look that way to me - at the top at least (maybe just my eyes?). I also got a set of 4' fork lift forks and did a little welding to put them on, and mine are solid steel; weigh about 90 pound each.

 

[scruffy]

<font color=blue>Bird</font color=blue>, Appears like extensions welded on to me, but I would like to know if a reinforcement of the top edge of the bucket will be required in the future to prevent some tweeking there? Looks like a nice adaption, and handy as the dickens for hooking/unhooking them from the bucket!

 

[Bird]

Maybe that's what it is, Scruffy. And his are obviously a lot quicker and easier to take off and put on than mine, but I, too, wonder if the top edge of the bucket might get bent. I already know that mine won't 'cause I've tried to pick up more than they could lift and didn't flex anything./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

 

[scruffy]

Bird, it appears that gotrocks welded some channel on the top of the forks to extend the length, and fortunately left plenty (planned/unplanned?) of room to add a reinforcement bar across the top of the bucket! I still like that adaption though! A thorough no muss, no fuss hook up/drop set up!

 

[Harv]

Gotrocks -

Excellent job, and clever!

I like clever. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gotrocks]

Bird, I notice others have answered your question before I got back. Yes the 6" 2x4 chanel sections were welded on to extend the fork so they would be long enough to hook and then catch on the bottom edge of the bucket. The hollow also allows me to insert 2x4 stakes to catch lt. wt. brush.
Re: bucket edge damage, I made the brackets 8" long to help distribute the load along the top of the bucket. I would have made them 12" but wanted to be able to place forks out close to the edge and the level bracket on the bucket only allows 8"
Any more questions or suggestions from anyone? Just holler.