pallet forks usage.

[Tim L]

My wife (the bank of Anita ) has generously allotted funds to purchase quick connect skid steer type pallet forks for my tractor.I know of the basic uses for forks but was curious to hear some of the stories of unconventional uses for forks to help me justify the expense in my own mind. I know this is a creative group so Iookk forward to the replies.

[Ljohnsaw]

Well, unconventional and maybe a little abuse...

I have a Skytrak tele-lift with 5' forks.  I've used them to pierce the ground around tree I want to remove.  I can pop the roots and then push the tree over taking the stump out at the same time.

I also used them to float out boulders.  However, I bent one a little :( getting a 18,000# rock to the surface so now it is a challenge to fork a pallet in the normal way.

[red oaks lumber]

mine are on a skidsteer.. trenching, rock picking, stump digging.if your not careful you'll bend and twist stuff, then you'll have to beg the banker for new stuff :D

[Tim L]

I'm leanining towards a local dealers brand which is Land pride.Any thoughts on their products ?

[beenthere]

The Landpride PFL series?

[Tim L]

Correct . Any thought ?

[beenthere]

They "look" like they would be good to go. Would have to trust that they are good quality steel and would not bend easily.
Mine are the Deere brand, and I, like ljohnsaw, have put them through more than what they likely were designed for, but they have not bent. Great for digging large boulders and small trees, stumps and all.

On a tractor, I'd be most concerned that the forks are visible from the tractor platform when moving in to lift a pallet or a log. I can stand and see the tips at the ground level so barely visible I'd say. If I had a cab, doubt I could see the tips. What is the tractor you will use?

I find so many uses for forks, way beyond what I imagined when I bought them. Use the forks attached more than the bucket. Also, adapted the forks for a quick hitch on the 3 ph, and move my winter's supply of firewood on pallets with them. (works best with an hydraulic top arm tho).

[Tim L]

I will run them on a 5010 Maindra with a cab.

[Cedarman]

Whatever you get, make sure you have protection in case you lift a load high and it wants to come back over the forks.   Have good cab protection, or clamps or big bars that are curved forward at the top to keep logs from rolling back onto you.

[red oaks lumber]

very good point cedarman! iv'e put a many of things into and on top of the cab :(

[Peter Drouin]

After you get them you won't want to live with out them. :D :D you will find so much you can do with them. They can be bent, mach the gvw of the forks to the loader.On my John Deere the loader is Bending the face plate the forks are on not the forks, picking up big logs. :D :D :D :D


 
You can see the face plate. I think it's because the plate is not solid.But it's good one way because I can see through it to see the fork tips.

[kevin19343]

I bought pallet forks for our Deere 6810 a few years back. I rarely take them off. I use them mostly to move logs around. They're also good for loading equipment and other heavy stuff onto a truck for transport.

[Tim L]

I'm hoping to get a lot of use to justify the cost. How many of you found uses that you never thought of before you had them ?

[beenthere]

Tim in your OP

My wife (the bank of Anita ) has generously allotted funds to purchase quick connect skid steer type pallet forks for my tractor.

No need for added justifications at this point, you already have the funds. All those added uses can be brought up as time goes on and you find all the extras out on your own. Just be sure to pass them on to the bank of Anita.  ;D

Now relax, and enjoy the forks.. ;)

They are much more useful than a spoon.

[Tim L]

True but ideas from others are a bonus.

[thecfarm]

I made a box that fits into my bucket,no forks. Close to the house I put it on and drive into the woods with it. I saw the wood up and throw it into the box. Than I dump it and head for the woods again. I can see how it would work good to pile brush on and bring it to the brush pile.

[Tim L]

Any pictures of the box ?

[whitepine2]

   Torch a round hole near the end of one or both forks that will fit
your biggest trailer ball this will allow you to push any trailer into a
tight spot. Also this will allow you to attach a clevis for picking stuff up with a chain just don't overload they will bend and or break.

                                                             Whitepine2 

[sandhills]

Get them and don't look back!  You'll never regret it I promise!  Another nice use for them is a work station, we have built them around here anywhere from 10 to 16' wide and about 3' deep, with railings they make a really nice platform to work from at heights.  You'll use them more than you think and definitely worth the expense. 

[Tim L]

That's the stuff I'm Looking for !

[Peter Drouin]

You can get dangerous and make a platform and the wife can lift you up to cut off limbs of a tree, paint the house. Just make sure it has a bottom so it won't flip off when you walk to the end of the platform :D :D :D :D
You can make a big steel box [a lite one] where the forks will slide under so you can pick up lite things like leaves, brush, saw dust. The box can be 2 times the size of the tractor bucket. Don't forget to chain the box to the forks. :D :D All kinds of things you can do. :D :D

[blackfoot griz]

Go for it!

I bought a used set of forks and built an attachment for my JD 4600 FEL.  I have the forks on much more often than the bucket.

Another thing I did was to modify the fork lift attachment so that it can be used on the 3 point.

I stack all of my personal use firewood on pallets.  In the winter, I have to take the loader off to put the snow plow on... by being able to use the forklift on the 3 point I can still haul firewood.

If you choose to go this route, it I highly recommend getting a hydraulic top link (if you have a set of rear remotes).


As Beenthere mentioned, it can be a little challenging seeing the tips of the forks when they are at ground level.  It's a piece of cake on the 3 point!

[thecfarm]

Tim,no pictures of the box. I made a metal frame and used two thick plastic dumpsters from work. Yes,it has a chain to keep it hooked to the bucket when I dump it. Works real good for leaves. It's about 6 feet long and wide and about 2 feet deep. I lose about 6 feet of height when I dump it,because it's 6 feet long. The front is angled some,but should of been more of an angle so the wood would dump out better. But that was the angle of the dumpsters too.

[Bill Gaiche]

Yes go for it. I made my own and use them to move logs onto the mill. Carry milled lumber to be stacked. Haul slabs to the pile. Push up tree limbs into a pile for burning.Move about anything you want around the place. They are really handy and after you get them you will wonder why didn't I do this earlier. It will save your back so you can hug the wife for years to come and I hope this makes her happy. bg

[Tim L]

Went to my dealer after work. They not only had Land pride forks, Mahindra now has a line of implements. I decided on the Mahindra brand 48 inch 4000 pound rated unit. Anybody have these ? Thoughts ? I pick them up Saturday.

[beenthere]

You will enjoy them.

Your thoughts after you get them... 

[stamper]

On my skidsteer bucket I put a winch strap on both sides, on the back at the top. handy to strap to a log to put on the mill. you leave enough slack so you can see it well. Nice to sit the log where you want it then roll the bucket forward and drop the hooks off. I'm adapting forks onto my skidsteer, strap winches on each side for front to back strapping. One for side to side gripping [for setting a pole for example] couple of short chains with hooks for chain attachment. tall, see-through backing plate. Also considering a "thumb" for it.

[Chuck White]

My brother has a set of forks for his 30-40 hp? John Deere and we used it a lot this past Summer when we clearcut everything to make a 200'X200' site for a Verizon tower near the back of his property.

They came in very handy for moving logs, firewood and brush from the site.

We've been clearing out some hazzardous looking White Pine near my sons house and we used the JD with the forks to move and stack the logs and to haul out the limbs and put them in a pile!

[Brucer]

I have a set of pallet forks on the Cat 910 loader. They're way undersized for the machine but I've stuck them under a pile of 52' logs that were frozen together and lifted the back of the loader. Forks bent under load, but sprung right back to the original shape when I let the load (back of the loader) down.

These get used for shifting logs, shifting piles of lumber, shifting timbers, loading timbers on trailers. I've built a couple of bins for collecting straps that are designed to fit on the forks. My sticker rack is specifically designed so the forks will pick it up. I've got a couple of custom pallets for storing short timbers (e.g. brace stock). The home-made outfeed table and pallet racks were designed so I could easily pick them up with the forks.

One design principle I stick to ... avoid having to put stuff onto the forks. Plan it so once you're on the machine you don't have to get off to handle stuff.

[Cedarman]

Having a thumb will make it a whole lot easier to hold frozen logs.  They can act like slick spaghetti when icy. 

[moosehunter]

We have a small cabin in the woods about 400 yards from the house. When I want to work at the cabin I put a pallet on the forks and strap all my tools to it. Large tool box, table saw, generator, chop saw, lunch. I also have loaded the mower on this set up.

[gspren]

  Forks on FEL are when you appreciate a self leveling loader. My 2355 JD is self leveling while the Massy Ferguson I had wasn't.

[Brucer]

Having a thumb will make it a whole lot easier to hold frozen logs.  They can act like slick spaghetti when icy.

Also good for long timbers -- they can rock themselves off the side of the forks on uneven ground.

The mill where I buy my logs has 3 big articulated loaders (about CAT 980 size), all equiped with log grapples. The operation has a really big, shop-made sawdust bucket that a log grapple can pick up. The operator just levels the forks, drives into the back of the bucket, and lowers the thumb on the grapple to grab the bucket.

[POC]

I want some too.  But all I can find are WAY more money than I thought they were worth.

[beenthere]

POC
What are they worth?

[elk42]

This is what works for me. The forks are made of 3/4 plate and they bolt on the side
of the bucket with 7/8" bolts also they extend below the bucket so not to pick up trash in the bucket. I use 30" wide lumber stacks, it dries better without mold. The piece at the top stops the log rolling back on you.

  

  

 

[POC]

Cheapest I can find is about $475. My tractor only has a 2500# FEL, so I don't need much as far as weight bearing goes.

[blackfoot griz]

Cheapest I can find is about $475. My tractor only has a 2500# FEL, so I don't need much as far as weight bearing goes. Maybe you can build one ;)

I built my forklift attachment.  I bought a used set of pallet forks for $100, some tubing and set of weld on mounts from John Deere.  I'm guessing that I have $200 into the whole unit.  I modified it so that it can be used on the 3 point hitch as well.

   <br

[Tim L]

Brought the forks home this morning. I just got a text from a buddy who wants me to load a couple heavy 5 footers on his truck.

[Bill Gaiche]

Glad you got them. Now there will be no rest. Be careful with heavy loads raised up to high  because they become so top heavy they will turn you over. Be careful on slopes also. Always be ready to drop your load if you begin to tip over to save yourself.
Neighbor a few weeks back was using his front end loader to tear down an old building. Was raising 16' header, raised it to high and it slid back toward him on the tractor. Pinned him and knocked the breath out of him and dazed him for a few minutes until he came to. Was barely able to get out from under it. He said he thought he was going to die right there. bg

[r.man]

If you are cutting down evergreens on the edge of an open area they tend to be bushy. Without forks I would always fall them into the bush and then have to climb through everthing to limb them. After getting forks I fall the tree into the field, cut off the limbs and then run down one side with the forks at ground level. Push the pile into the bush, do the other side and remove the logs. Very little to clean up after that. I have also ripped out trees from pasture land but I would push up high to see where the main roots were and then rip one with the forks. After that you can push the tree over away from the ripped main and generally lift/push it out of the ground to be carried to a rot or burn pile.

[redbeard]

Elk 42 That is a great design bolting the fork plates to side of bucket. Never seen this before. Thanks for sharing.

[Tim L]

Well I loaded a truck load of 5-6 foot butt ends into my buddy's truck yesterday. Having forks made quick work of it, not bad for day one.

[scsmith42]

Forks are great.  If I had seen this thread before today, I would have advised you to find a pair with either a thumb or a grapple.  The thumb makes it much safer to handle logs.

[Peter Drouin]

With new forks you find yourself pushing brush around [we all do it]. BUT I put steel mesh in front of over the radiator. My John Deere has a steel frame I welded the mesh to. you will push a stick into the radiator pushing brush. And no I did not do it, just could see it coming.  :D :D :D :D

[beenthere]

Good idea Peter.
I finally did just that this past summer. 

 

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

You really do have a Green Tractor.....looks very nice......good paint.
Mesh over the radiator will truly work for you.....unless a log goes through it.  :
Yep.....ask me how I know.
You do nice work.

[Tim L]

Looks better than factory. How did you make your corners so neatly ?

[beenthere]

Can't claim too much credit, other than I did the painting.

My local welder did the work. I took the frame off and asked him if he had something to cover it. He poked around and dragged out a piece and I gave the go ahead.

When I was painting it, dear wife came out and with her sewing and quilting perfection made the comment about how careful the fit was and how the diamonds were equally balanced side to side. A detail I hadn't noticed.
Made a comment to the welder about that, and he got a big smile and said something like
"Oh, you noticed. Most of my customers don't care or notice, but I like to do it that way so I do". 

The oil cooler is right behind that front grill and in front of the radiator. Would be much more serious if the oil cooler was punched out than the radiator.. IMO. 

[Peter Drouin]

Heres mine, I did it all  ;D


 

[Tim L]

Also very nice.Perhaps in the spring I'll do something similar.

[Peter Drouin]

You really do have a Green Tractor.....looks very nice......good paint.
Mesh over the radiator will truly work for you.....unless a log goes through it.  :
Yep.....ask me how I know.
You do nice work.

How do you know  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D and what did it cost  :D :D :D :D :D ;D

[blackfoot griz]

You really do have a Green Tractor…..looks very nice……good paint.
Mesh over the radiator will truly work for you…..unless a log goes through it.  :
Yep…..ask me how I know.
You do nice work.

How do you know  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D and what did it cost  :D :D :D :D :D ;D

C'mon Posty, inquiring minds want to know!  We're waiting!   :D

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

It wasn't even my tractor..... : But it was my fault.  :D

[Tim L]

Do tell !

[Peter Drouin]

Tim L my computer is not working well to day I will PM you later, Pete

[blackfoot griz]

I finally did just that this past summer. 

 
[/quote]

It wasn't even my tractor..... : But it was my fault.  :D



You know what is really sad? It that I have a one...it came with the 4600 when I got it...and it's still in the hay shed...



 


There's no cure for regret!

[Tim L]

Sasquatch damage ?

[blackfoot griz]

 

Sasquatch damage ?

 


Wasn't a bigfoot, just a "slow foot" on the brake...I hit the live deck on the processor!

[beenthere]

Did you take the grill guard off before that "OUCH!" ?

[blackfoot griz]

It came with a grill guard but it was not installed.  The grill guard is still in my hayshed. :-\

[Tim L]

Perhaps your misfortune can inspire others to install the grill guards.

[Bert]

An unconventional use for me is digging hard ground or rock/ shale. A smooth edge 60" skid steer bucket wont cut in, so I use the forks to break it up. The forks will stab in deeper to loosen the material. Granted, a backhoe would be better, but sometimes you have to use what u have.