Pallet Forks on a BT601 FEL

stevewhitts

New member

Equipment
BX25D
Mar 5, 2025
13
15
3
Maryland
Anyone have any experience with the clamp on style pallet forks? Thinking about getting a set to move hay bales around. I need to move the small square bales around and currently using a wagon to carry 10 at a time (about 400 lbs). I know the loader can handle the weight, but I'm worried the bucket lip might get bent or damaged. I'm using a BX25D with the BT601 FEL.
 

Bee-Positive

Active member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Tooth Bar, MMM, QH, Ballast Box
Nov 16, 2022
102
135
43
Amsterdam, NY
If I'm not mistaken BT601 is your back hoe not the loader. I believe the BX25D comes with an LA240A loader.

With a lift capacity of about 520 lbs. 20" out from the pins. The bucket weight is around 130 lbs. so your actual lift capacity would be about 385 - 390 lbs. Clamp-on folks would put the weight out farther yet and reduce how much you could lift.

If your bucket is connected by pins your least expensive choice is clamp-on, just take smaller loads.

If you have SSQA bucket I'd go for a SSQA set of forks, eliminate the bucket weight and move the load closer to the pins, maximizing your capacity.

Others on the forum - please correct me if I'm off base here...
 

stevewhitts

New member

Equipment
BX25D
Mar 5, 2025
13
15
3
Maryland
My mistake. It is a LA240. Sounds like the load with the clamp on forks would not be much and I don't do enough with pallet forks to justify converting to SSQA.
Thanks.
 

Grimor

New member

Equipment
2002 BX2200 with loader, mid mower deck
Sep 1, 2024
17
20
3
Chicago-ish
I've got a set of the clamp on forks that are good for what they are. Its not just the weight your machine can lift that is the issue. The weight is so far forward that is may also unbalance you and lift the rear. They are nice to have around for the price, but just use within its limits.
 

Bee-Positive

Active member

Equipment
BX1880, FEL, Tooth Bar, MMM, QH, Ballast Box
Nov 16, 2022
102
135
43
Amsterdam, NY
The weight is so far forward that is may also unbalance you and lift the rear.
Very true there Grimor. I'm assuming he has the BH on which weights about 617 lbs. If not he'll need a ballast box, wheels weights, filled tires or a combination there of.

Steve - have you considered a rear carryall? You've got over 650 lbs. lift capacity on the 3pt. Twice as much as the FEL. There's a lot of good posts on here about them.
 

stevewhitts

New member

Equipment
BX25D
Mar 5, 2025
13
15
3
Maryland
Thanks for the responses. For the time being, I'll stick with the trailer behind my small garden tractor. It can carry 10 bales and I don't have to disconnect the backhoe or spend the money for the carryall. They do look nice, just not critical at this point
 
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