Has anyone used the clamp on style pallet forks? If so what s pros and cons of them. Or has anyone used the 3pt hitch style. Wanting them to move/hold logs for cutting wood this winter. I know they can t lift a whole lot but was thinking they might be useful for separating logs from the pile and also pushing bigger pieces under the splitter to split. Tired of working harder and wanting to try and work a lil smarter. Thanks for the input!
- Thread starter jc3612
- Start date
They can work, but unless firmly attached can wander left and right on the bucket, + with the bucket on you can't see much of what is going on. I made a set out of old car lift arms, and while they did work, what kept them mounted tight was a chain binder and chain welded to them. You also have to remember what is on the forks could roll back right onto the loader arms towards the operator, that is very dangerous. One needs a back stop just like a forklift has, and or have to remember this condition exists.
Better to have a dedicated set pinned on the loader frame. I use a set modified for a 3Pt hitch, Woods DuAl universal pin on forks that I added a top link mast to. It's heavy enough to do real work and they work well for logs. You certainly could hold a long log up for bucking up the blocks for splitting. Your 3pt lift will need to be in good shape, and not creeping downward quickly once set at height. I find this attachment is a labor saver, and for logs you will want something more than Agrisupply or similar offers for 3 point forks, carry all etc
Better to have a dedicated set pinned on the loader frame. I use a set modified for a 3Pt hitch, Woods DuAl universal pin on forks that I added a top link mast to. It's heavy enough to do real work and they work well for logs. You certainly could hold a long log up for bucking up the blocks for splitting. Your 3pt lift will need to be in good shape, and not creeping downward quickly once set at height. I find this attachment is a labor saver, and for logs you will want something more than Agrisupply or similar offers for 3 point forks, carry all etc
showcrop
Well-known Member
I recently got a set after trying out a set a year ago. I have bad hip arthritis and with the forks I took a 20 inch tree down and disposed of it without lifting and carrying any of it. When I tried them I didn't get them on tightly enough and they wandered. This time I put a piece of pipe over the very stout handle and they stayed put. My bucket has two reinforced strips where I placed them. I am very happy with mine. Getting into pallets with them with the bucket in the way would be tricky but for bucking up tree trunks I think that they would work very well.
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
What size of tractor and loader do you
have?
For a lightweight Hundred or smaller
Thousand series, clamp ons would
probably be fine.
If you have any of the Industrial models
I would look at a "real" set of forks
off of a forklift and make the
modifications so you can remove the
bucket and put the forks on. My guess is
they would be much heavier duty.
have?
For a lightweight Hundred or smaller
Thousand series, clamp ons would
probably be fine.
If you have any of the Industrial models
I would look at a "real" set of forks
off of a forklift and make the
modifications so you can remove the
bucket and put the forks on. My guess is
they would be much heavier duty.
I have a set of clamp-ons that I have used for years.
Actually, this is my second set. I bent the first, light duty set.
I also have a pair of 3 pt forks. The 3 pt forks do not wander.
They also do not lift very high. But they are heavier duty.
Other than the visibility problem, there is also an arc to a loader.
If you want to lift a pallet full of "stuff", it tilts back as you go up.
So you have to be mindful of adjusting the tilt if you don't have
a self leveling loader. That was always a pain for me, but that's not
what you are planning to use it for. At least not yet.
I picked up an old orchard forklift. Handy as a shirt pocket!
Didn't cost a whole lot more than the new clamp on forks were.
It also has tilt and side-shift.
But I do have to store another tractor.
Actually, this is my second set. I bent the first, light duty set.
I also have a pair of 3 pt forks. The 3 pt forks do not wander.
They also do not lift very high. But they are heavier duty.
Other than the visibility problem, there is also an arc to a loader.
If you want to lift a pallet full of "stuff", it tilts back as you go up.
So you have to be mindful of adjusting the tilt if you don't have
a self leveling loader. That was always a pain for me, but that's not
what you are planning to use it for. At least not yet.
I picked up an old orchard forklift. Handy as a shirt pocket!
Didn't cost a whole lot more than the new clamp on forks were.
It also has tilt and side-shift.
But I do have to store another tractor.
It s a ford 3000 with a old Massey Ferguson loader made to fit the tractor. I doubt the forks would travel much as the bucket is actually a manure bucket with some more homemade modifications to make it a true bucket. I have some pics of the model number if anyone is interested in looking it up. This is the only one I ve ever seen.
As far as lifting pallets and all that I don t deal with a lot of pallets so I doubt that would be an issue.
Sean in PA
Well-known Member
I have a set of clamp-on forks that I use on my little Kubota BX. I use it mainly to move the pallet out and back in that I store the snow blower on when I switch from the loader to the blower at the beginning of winter and back again at the beginning of spring. I have used them for moving a few other things as well, but they move the weight out forward of the bucket so the lifting capacity with the forks is less than the lifting capacity of the bucket itself.
Texasmark1
Well-known Member
I bought the 4 footers (for lifting pallets) for use with a 24 hp 2016 Branson. Mine came with the cross bar to assist in keeping the alignment but when
lifting pallets, it has to be moved all the way back or removed. First thing I noticed was the foot-pounds thing. You are out beyond the bucket lip and
that cuts your lifting ability to half or less of the tractor's rated output. Second, without the alignment bar, even though you push them all the way
against the bucket and tighten the locking screw good and tight, theystill have a tendency to turn on you when trying to work pallets other than straight
in lifting.
For picking up logs and all should work ok with the consideration mentioned. Got mine off ebay, pretty competetive price at the time...forget the
number.
lifting pallets, it has to be moved all the way back or removed. First thing I noticed was the foot-pounds thing. You are out beyond the bucket lip and
that cuts your lifting ability to half or less of the tractor's rated output. Second, without the alignment bar, even though you push them all the way
against the bucket and tighten the locking screw good and tight, theystill have a tendency to turn on you when trying to work pallets other than straight
in lifting.
For picking up logs and all should work ok with the consideration mentioned. Got mine off ebay, pretty competetive price at the time...forget the
number.
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