Clamp On Pallet Forks, Anyone Use Them?

[wfopete]

I need to move some heavy barn beams and I'm considering using clamp on pallet forks and a front end loader tractor. Anyone use these? Some of these beams are 30' in length and weigh 2000#. My concern is damaging the loader bucket.

 

[glennm]

We use them on a BX23 to put logs on the sawmill. They work quite well but i doubt we are no way near that weight. I am guessing maybe 600-800 lbs tops with this little tractor. They are very handy to have for other things as well.

 

[zkdiesel]

Very sketchy with 2k of weight. You had better find some real forks

Or just chain lift them

 

[Firebrick43]

The previous owner of my tractor used them and included them with the purchase. Its not if they will damage your bucket cutting edge and immediately behind it, but when.

I wish i never used them.

What tractor are you using? They put the load completely in front of the bucket so they significantly lower the load the loader can lift. My loader will easily lift 2000 in the bucket but I bet its halved with the forks.

 

[wfopete]

Firebrick43, what kind of tractor/bucket did you use them with?

 

[freudianfloyd]

I picked up a set for my backhoe a few weeks ago. I used them one time to lift a log, and when I dumped the log out, it bent the **** out of them. They were "rated" for 4,500 lbs and couldn't handle one small log. Now they are scrap metal. I'm sure there are good brands and bad brands, mine were rated high on Amazon, but chinese made.

 

[Firebrick43]

Firebrick43, what kind of tractor/bucket did you use them with?

John Deere Model 47 loader that goes on a 2020, 3020, or 2510 tractors. Mine is on a 2020.

The forks that I have are very stout and have not bent themselves, just damaged the bucket. I don't know what brand or where the previous owner bought them however.

 

[Tom Sestito]

I had them with my old BX. They have their application but they need to be chained to the bucket to avoid bending the bucket itself.

2k lbs is a lot - better off carrying that with straps or a chain imo.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have a set for an older ford 1920, they work ok for light stuff, but know their limitations. As others have said use straps as close to the lift arms for maximum lift. If you had a good set of forks you might try getting a 3pt hitch to ssqa adapter & use them with the 3 pt hitch.

3 Point 3 Pt Skid Steer Quick Tach Conversion Adapter Fit For Cat 1 Tractor US | eBay

3 Point Skid Steer Quick Tach Conversion Adapter Fit For 3 Pt Cat 1 Tractor 2200lbs Capacity. kid steer 3 point adapter is made from stainless steel and covered with powder coating for rust and corrosion resistance.

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[Scotto]

I pick up 2000lb logs with my 40 HP front end loaded but use a quick tack attachment like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Attachments-Standard-Connection-Tractors/dp/B0176RNFME/?tag=atomicindus08-20

NO WAY would I attempt to use a clamp on type - it would bend the bucket up in a heartbeat, unless you have something like a full-size Case backhoe. Even then I wouldn't trust a clamp on - all the ones I see are pretty low end/quality.

 

[DeeDubz]

I just bought a set for my kubota svl75. These were used to unload my us general tool boxes. mine too are rated at 4500lbs. But I dont think id wanna go that heavy. They just attach to the bucket by a screw clamp. If they aren't tight the fork will pivot.

 

[PCustoms]

I need to move some heavy barn beams and I'm considering using clamp on pallet forks and a front end loader tractor. Anyone use these? Some of these beams are 30' in length and weigh 2000#. My concern is damaging the loader bucket.

What tractor do you have?

 

[gregs]

I bought a set for my cheap chinese tractor from Vevor. I use them in conjunction with a sheet of plywood to pick up brush, small logs, etc. They have come in handy for light duty work. To keep them from moving around, I welded a couple of big washers to the bucket where the clamp bolts attach to create a "pocket" to keep them located. I also bought a pallet fork for the back to lift heavier things.

I am guessing if the loader and bucket are rated for that weight you may be ok if you keep the beam all the way back against the bucket so that you are minimizing the leverage. Probably ok just to move the beams around and not trying to lift them 6' in the air.

 

[manwithtools]

I would never use them. Too many horror stories about bent buckets and dropped loads. As mentioned by others, you also give up quite a bit of lift capacity.

 

[madhatter]

I need to move some heavy barn beams and I'm considering using clamp on pallet forks and a front end loader tractor. Anyone use these? Some of these beams are 30' in length and weigh 2000#. My concern is damaging the loader bucket.

If you run a chain or cable to the top of the bucket from the clamp on portion of the fork like they are designed to do you won't bend the bucket; As far as 2000 pounds goes on bolt on forks I've lifted logs that weighed that much no problem and didn't bend anything. (the log was as close to the bucket as I could get it) These are titan medium duty forks rated for 4000 pounds total (which I wouldn't do personally) The 2000 pounds is probably the heaviest I'd go.

 

[Firebrick43]

If you run a chain or cable to the top of the bucket from the clamp on portion of the fork like they are designed to do you won't bend the bucket; As far as 2000 pounds goes on bolt on forks I've lifted logs that weighed that much no problem and didn't bend anything. (the log was as close to the bucket as I could get it) These are titan medium duty forks rated for 4000 pounds total (which I wouldn't do personally) The 2000 pounds is probably the heaviest I'd go.

One typically doesn’t bend the bucket due to weight on the forks, or at least on the decently heavy buckets of larger tractors.

The bucket is bent when the tip of the fork while rotating the bucket touches the ground as many times you can’t see it.

It actually bends the cutting edge up at the same time bending where the clamp sets down twisting the front edge. In no way does a chain help in that situation and not all the fork are designed for chains to boot.

 

[zkdiesel]

One typically doesn’t bend the bucket due to weight on the forks, or at least on the decently heavy buckets of larger tractors.

The bucket is bent when the tip of the fork while rotating the bucket touches the ground as many times you can’t see it.

It actually bends the cutting edge up at the same time bending where the clamp sets down twisting the front edge. In no way does a chain help in that situation and not all the fork are designed for chains to boot.

He can just buy one of my inventory of 5 telehandlers. He can pick 2k 36’ up

 

[Firebrick43]

He can just buy one of my inventory of 5 telehandlers. He can pick 2k 36’ up

I probably should buy one, I am just too attached to my wife so I won’t.

I am actually building a SSQA plate for my tractor because the bucket forks are so bad. I just need to finish mounting the spring/rod and handle for the lock pins and paint.

My JD loader has an odd way/spacing of the roll cylinders or I would have bought one.

 

[zkdiesel]

I probably should buy one, I am just too attached to my wife so I won’t.

I am actually building a SSQA plate for my tractor because the bucket forks are so bad. I just need to finish mounting the spring/rod and handle for the lock pins and paint.

My JD loader has an odd way/spacing of the roll cylinders or I would have bought one.

She can’t reach you from 36’ up

 

[Firebrick43]

She can’t reach you from 36’ up

She can operate equipment. She would have me on the ground in a jiffy.

 

[PCustoms]

She can operate equipment. She would have me on the ground in a jiffy.

She got a sister?

 

[archtimb]

Yeah, no. Besides everything mentioned above visibility really *****. I had some as a stopgap. Now I have a wrecked bucket going for scrap metal, a new quick attach & bucket!

 

[Jackfre]

I made my forks out of 3” heavy channel and 2x2 riser. A 1” ****** welded on the angle hooked over the top lip of the bucket and the forks sat in the bucket. They were easy on off and I could spread them to desired width. These went on my BX2660 and 23. No way I would lift 2k# with that tractor. Repairs are just to expensive. I did make a couple ramps to Roll some big logs onto a mill and the tractor could do the pushing assuming good soil for traction.

 

[Firebrick43]

She got a sister?

She does, night and day difference. I wouldn’t throw my worst enemy on that grenade.

But she just divorced from only god knows how many this is?????

Do you want her number?

 

[Firebrick43]

I made my forks out of 3” heavy channel and 2x2 riser. A 1” ****** welded on the angle hooked over the top lip of the bucket and the forks sat in the bucket. They were easy on off and I could spread them to desired width. These went on my BX2660 and 23. No way I would lift 2k# with that tractor. Repairs are just to expensive. I did make a couple ramps to Roll some big logs onto a mill and the tractor could do the pushing assuming good soil for traction.

Those would prevent the issues with the type I was talking about in post 16! A lot of loader backhoes have similar style forks that slide on a rod above the top edge and sit in the bottom of the bucket while in use.

 

[wfopete]

If I go this route I will get the type that uses a chain/binders to keep from tweaking the bucket. This way it takes the load off the lip of the bucket. Tractor is a B26 which weights in at 4000#

 

[manwithtools]

If I go this route I will get the type that uses a chain/binders to keep from tweaking the bucket. This way it takes the load off the lip of the bucket. Tractor is a B26 which weights in at 4000#

No way you are lifting #2000 with a B26 and clamp on forks. Your lift capacity at mid bucket is : Lift capacity to max. height at bucket bottom mid point: 1102 lbs (500 kg)

It's going to be even less at the cutting edge and even less the further out you put the load on the forks.

 

[zkdiesel]

She can operate equipment. She would have me on the ground in a jiffy.

You put her 36’ up! I mean the capacity is enough it should lift her

 

[wfopete]

Well that ends that! I guess I'll get a Telehandler and not worry.

 

[Firebrick43]

I mean the capacity is enough it should lift her

What are trying to infer here?



/s

 

[zkdiesel]

What are trying to infer here?



/s

Just saying, we haven’t seen a picture
Hell my wife applies decals to my machine