I have an old Ford 1900 tractor. I figured it would be handy to have a detachable set of forks for the FEL for around the sawmill. Is this a reasonable arrangement? Where would I get such thing? Or do I need to make it myself?
I run a ford 5000 with a bucket on front, I have a set of forks I built that slide into the bucket and attach with a chain and boomer. I can also take the bucket off and they bolt on for better pickupability. that's what I do most of my loading/unloading with.
Kirk,
I have been thinking building forks that sound similar to your setup. Forks that slide in the bucket and use chains. Any chance you could post a picture of your fork setup? I'd be interested in seeing them.
Thanks,
Mike
Got a Westondorf loader for my little Ford tractor. Looked at factory forks but they were only made with pallet spacing. Decided to make my own quick detach forks. The forks are adjustable from 6 1/2 foot wide down to as narrow as you want. I have picked up small logs up to 30' long with them and also use them on pallets. One of the better things I have made and didn't cost too much to put them together.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/fork1.jpg)
[(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/fork3.jpg)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/fork5.jpg)
idaho04,
Here's a shot of the front forks on my Ford 1900 tractor.
They were already on it when I got it, so I can't tell you if there home made or factory, but they work great. If you have any questions about them just let me know.
(https://forestryforum.com/board/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thewoodchucker.com%2Fsitebuildercontent%2Fsitebuilderpictures%2Ftractor1.jpg&hash=f8f18a35bf6b9b039f70f9e14ab6c84779195d2b)
R.T.
Here's some pics of my setup for my Massey 50H backhoe. I'm currently working on a quick attachment for them and the bucket.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/forks.jpg)
I made the frame myself and picked up the forks from a place that safeties forklifts. Forks were $200 and the steel was free. ;)
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/forks2.jpg)
If there was a way to attach a Bobcat standard interface onto your loader, you would open yourself up to lots of attachments that could be interchanged.
In looking for our loader for our mill, we've found that most skidsteer manufactures have standardized on the Bobcat mounting plate. There are lots of new and used attachments to be had or rented with this mounting standard. Custom attachments can be made by welding on a blank plate.
(https://forestryforum.com/images/04_01_03/wsforkatach.jpg)
Here is a picture of our new Terex with a bobcat standard tool attachment interface.
Thanks for the info Bibby! I want to get either a bobcat or a tractor but I can't decide. I think I want a tractor more, so if I can come up with an interface, I think I'll have the best of both worlds. ;)