I would like to add pallet forks to my B8200 for log loading my sawmill. Not really thrilled about bolt on bucket type. Did they make,? do they make, pallet forks system that you can install in place of the bucket? I may just continue to wrap chain around bucket but would like the ease of pallet forks.
Pallet forks
- Thread starter Mmkoen
- Start date
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Google says you probably have a BF300 loader but didn't see an SSQA adapter.
However, they are simple to make, lots of guys have done it(convert 4 pin to SSQA ).
If you're not a 'backyard bodger', check with local 'welding / fab shop' to build it based on pictures from the internet. You can buy the 'ends with levers' for SSQA.
If you're happy with just 'pinon',search the net or make them. Pinon style is REAL easy.
However, they are simple to make, lots of guys have done it(convert 4 pin to SSQA ).
If you're not a 'backyard bodger', check with local 'welding / fab shop' to build it based on pictures from the internet. You can buy the 'ends with levers' for SSQA.
If you're happy with just 'pinon',search the net or make them. Pinon style is REAL easy.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
It's also a LOT easier to put the OTHER attachment on AFTER you get the 1st one OFF !!
30 seconds and NO pain......
If you decide to 'build-your-own', you just nee a length of 3x3 or 4x4 angle iron to make the 'frame', and then either buy or make the forks.
30 seconds and NO pain......
If you decide to 'build-your-own', you just nee a length of 3x3 or 4x4 angle iron to make the 'frame', and then either buy or make the forks.
You are correct I have the BF300 loader. So you are saying that I can find a way to build one? I am a backyard mechanic/rigger and I know a guy with a welder so if I could find some plans EPR pictures that would be great. This is probably a stupid question can you then convert the current bucket for quick attachment?
Pin On Forks can be bought for $400 and up. Pin on attachments can be frustrating to change from one to the other. If you change attachments frequently …you’ll become tired of the excersize. There are several ways to resolve that.
One is to adapt your loader to SSQA. This will solve the problem…but you’ll also have to cut/modify/weld your existing bucket…OR buy another bucket. This becomes expensive for a small operator. You also lose some lifting capacity due to the added weight of the SSQA.
Another is to have a pin-on adaptor made. Go look at this thread, and see how I solved it at post #4. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/quick-attach-options.55978/
One is to adapt your loader to SSQA. This will solve the problem…but you’ll also have to cut/modify/weld your existing bucket…OR buy another bucket. This becomes expensive for a small operator. You also lose some lifting capacity due to the added weight of the SSQA.
Another is to have a pin-on adaptor made. Go look at this thread, and see how I solved it at post #4. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/quick-attach-options.55978/
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If you're loading whole logs onto your sawmill you'll probably run into some you can't lift.
As handy as a quick attach is (they're very handy), you may want to consider pin on forks so you can maximize the weight of the logs you can move.
Wouldn't hurt to have a quick attach too. I have both.
I do chainsaw milling on occasion. I've ran into logs I couldn't move with my quick attach forks. I threw on my pin on forks and I was able to move some of them.
As handy as a quick attach is (they're very handy), you may want to consider pin on forks so you can maximize the weight of the logs you can move.
Wouldn't hurt to have a quick attach too. I have both.
I do chainsaw milling on occasion. I've ran into logs I couldn't move with my quick attach forks. I threw on my pin on forks and I was able to move some of them.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
OK, simple fork frame...
Get some 3by3 or 4by4 angle iron,1/4 or 3/8 thick. I used 4by4by 3/8( brick lintel support for houses....)
measure the 'pin to pin distance on your loader and then cut 4 pieces, 4" longer.
if pin to pin is 12", cut them 16 inches.
drill 2 holes in each piece for the mounting pins to go through
remove bucket, raise loader up to nice working height, and install the 4 pieces
place the 'top rail' onto the 4 pieces and tack weld. from the left side, it'll look like an 'L'
remove and weld 'lower rail' same way.
install, test fit, if OK, remove and really weld it.
remove and add 'ends' between top and btm rails.
this is now the basic 'frame' and strong like bull.
it will lift 1800# pumpkin....BTDT.
now option 1, use forklift forks (they slide on that top rail ) or option 2 make your own forks
if it's a small tractor, 36" forks are a good size..keep you out of 'trouble'
if you make your own, look at what dealers are offering and copy.
The hardest part is drilling the 8 big holes for the pins. cutting/welding is easy !
The frame shouldn't be wider than your bucket or tractor.
Get some 3by3 or 4by4 angle iron,1/4 or 3/8 thick. I used 4by4by 3/8( brick lintel support for houses....)
measure the 'pin to pin distance on your loader and then cut 4 pieces, 4" longer.
if pin to pin is 12", cut them 16 inches.
drill 2 holes in each piece for the mounting pins to go through
remove bucket, raise loader up to nice working height, and install the 4 pieces
place the 'top rail' onto the 4 pieces and tack weld. from the left side, it'll look like an 'L'
remove and weld 'lower rail' same way.
install, test fit, if OK, remove and really weld it.
remove and add 'ends' between top and btm rails.
this is now the basic 'frame' and strong like bull.
it will lift 1800# pumpkin....BTDT.
now option 1, use forklift forks (they slide on that top rail ) or option 2 make your own forks
if it's a small tractor, 36" forks are a good size..keep you out of 'trouble'
if you make your own, look at what dealers are offering and copy.
The hardest part is drilling the 8 big holes for the pins. cutting/welding is easy !
The frame shouldn't be wider than your bucket or tractor.
One thing often advised is to convert to SSQA and then cut the pin-on mounts Off the existing bucket…and then weld SSQA mounts onto the old bucket…so it can be used with the SSQA one will have had to buy.
This MAY seem like a simple idea. It’s not. and is one reason I’m so pleased with the solution I chose/mentioned above.
Here’s a video which demonstrates how a “simple” idea of cutting off the pin on mount to weld the SSQA mount onto the exiting bucket…. ain’t really so simple. Or cheap.
This MAY seem like a simple idea. It’s not. and is one reason I’m so pleased with the solution I chose/mentioned above.
Here’s a video which demonstrates how a “simple” idea of cutting off the pin on mount to weld the SSQA mount onto the exiting bucket…. ain’t really so simple. Or cheap.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
gee, the guy in the video could have bought a solid SSQA plate, used his plasma cutter to cut out a rectangle in the bucket back ,then welded the SSQA plate in to fill the hole, maybe 2 hrs NOT the 10+ he spent
That $292 SSQA looks very similar, if not identical, to these for $81… except these are Free Shipping : https://www.amazon.com/ECOTRIC-Universal-Conversion-Adapter-Bobtach/dp/B089F518XF/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=zsFMx&content-id=amzn1.sym.3c3990c3-513c-4686-8d92-a42b4095cecb:amzn1.symc.8b620bc3-61d8-46b3-abd9-110539785634&pf_rd_p=3c3990c3-513c-4686-8d92-a42b4095cecb&pf_rd_r=ASWGB508KVVMCC8NY4Z3&pd_rd_wg=TvYqg&pd_rd_r=10c4c6d1-ac98-44ae-9773-b5532ccf7eac&ref_=pd_hp_d_btf_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
The problem for many folks like our OP is they don’t weld and will have to hire that out.
And eventhe guy who made the video posted just previously, who Does have a Welder and a Plasma-cutter and knows how to use them…..felt it was not economical to convert a bucket from pin on to SSQA by cutting/welding. (I agree w/Greensvillejay that the ten hrs he spent seems excessive.. but there it is in the video.)
Anyway, the solution for me was the pin on adaptors for $400 and no need to alter the bucket or any other pin on attachments. If I ever find the need for a SSQA attachment I’ll buy a pin-on SSQA-adaptor.
Each to his own choices….just wanted OP to know there Are Other choices than SSQA.
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Found a grapple which is claimed to be “steel camel”…in British Columbia…with the following caveat :
Must be paid IN FULL….
And: “
Items must be paid in full on the day of the sale.
PICK UP DATES: AUGUST 22nd - 25th (10am to 5pm)
PICK-UP LOCATIONS: 2306 MADISON AVENUE, BURNABY BC V5C 5E3
NOTE: ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY AUGUST 25TH WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF DIRECT LIQUIDATION, AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH US.”
(This is believed to be an expired auction)
Must be paid IN FULL….
And: “
Items must be paid in full on the day of the sale.
PICK UP DATES: AUGUST 22nd - 25th (10am to 5pm)
PICK-UP LOCATIONS: 2306 MADISON AVENUE, BURNABY BC V5C 5E3
NOTE: ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY AUGUST 25TH WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF DIRECT LIQUIDATION, AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH US.”
(This is believed to be an expired auction)
I just did this with a cutting wheel and a stick machine and it didn't seem like that big a deal; You're right though, you do need to be able to weld.
Those amazon/ebay ones look the same but pretty sure their qc sucks; I bought two backing plates one from pallet forks and one from amazon; The amazon one was cheaper but I had to cut some welds and change the angles because they weren't right.