Bucket Fork for Kobito

[dom]

I was looking at a cheapo set on ebay and I even linked to them in an upstairs forum, but realized this is the correct spot to post. After close inspection of the $150 ebay ones I realized they'd break quick.

This is the set I'm considering now:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200586883_200586883

I'd be using them primarily to move 100lb concrete benches and sometimes other things.

Does anyone have these, or something similar?

Just found these too:

http://bxpanded.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=4

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I'd say you'd be pretty safe using the clamp on forks from Northern.

 

[BAP]

You will find that the if you use them much, the clamp on forks are harder to use than a real set loader forks. With the bucket in the way, it is hard to tell where the end of the forks is. Also, they tend to move to the side easily when bumped. We had some for a big loader, and they were a pain to use and hard to keep clamped tight. If you are only going to use them very occasionally, then they are an economical choice. Be aware though, most are made out of flat plate steel welded together not hard spring steel that real forks are made of.

 

[Dan_R_42]

I'd say you'd be pretty safe using the clamp on forks from Northern.

I agree with Eric. For the size of tractor you have and the weight you plan to move, I don't see a problem. They are at a great price point for what you get.

You could weld up a piece to drop into the vertical pockets of the forks to better stabilize them from side to side movement.

You could also make up a spreader bar attachment to help stabilize the forks. I believe Northern Tool still has the Bucket Fork Stabilizer Bars available for that model fork you are looking at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycCRqCPgc0o

 

[alansz400]

http://www.palletforks.com/skid-ste...clamp-on-pallet-forks-4-000-lbs-capacity.html

I bought a set of these last fall right before it got cold here in ohio so I still have not used them. I did clamp them on to make sure they fit and they do. The problem I see it the bucket on my B7500 is not heavy enough and flexs a lot. I am over 200lbs and standing on the end of one fork made the bucket flex more then I liked, it looked like the cutting edge was going to bend. Standing in the middle is not bad. They seem like a good idea for moving brush and maybe lifting light wieght balky items that will not fit in the bucket.
Over all I wish I would have went with somthing other then clamp of forks not because the forks are not well made just to keep from wrecking my bucket.
I would also buy the spreader bar. I made my own but it I would have been better off buying theres.
They also have a light duty set that weighs 1/2 what mine do.

 

[Wild and Free]

Do you have a quick tach bucket, if so I would look for a set of quick tach forks rather than clamp ons like that, visibility and load control will be better as the weight will be 2 feet closer to the axle rather than that far out front of the bucket.

If you do not have a quick tach I would personally go with a system that hooks to the top of the bucket rather than the bucket lip since you say you will be moving thousand pound stuff often will be more stabil than sticking out that far off the lip.

Just my personal preference, I just bought a used set of quick tach forks last fall for 300 bucks locally.

 

[alansz400]

Picture of my Titan forks.

 

[dom]

Thanks for all the great advice!

 

[Wild and Free]

Remember that rated loader / tractor lifting capacity is always rated at the "Pin" meaning where the bucket mounts to the loader arms not 2-3 feet out front of the pin so take that into account when trying to pick heavy loads that far out front of you.

Example : take a 5 pound hammer and grab it at the very end of the handle and roll your wrist back and see how heavy it feels in comparison to grabbing it behind the head and doing the same thing.

 

[cerlawson]

As mentioned above. the small gripping lever on the front lip of the bucket easily can bend a light weight bucket. However, you can minimize this problem.
Add an extension to the bottom leg of each. That could go all the way back to the heel of the bucket, if you want. Thus your forces on the bucket are :down on the lip and up on the heel. That significantly would minimize bending of the bucket lip. If you are satisfied with the arms near the bucket sides, this bending tendency is minimized also.

 

[dom]

See, how I'm really thinking about just finding a proper fork attachment all together. Suggestions? I keep thinking the bucket will be in the way too, like mentioned previously, and I won't be able to see what I'm doing.

 

[gssixgun]

I bought the correct size from

http://www.palletforks.com/skid-steer-attachments/clamp-on-pallet-forks.html

With the Stabilizer Bar that keeps them from getting bumped easily..

Honestly I am sure the QA version is much better but for the price, I can't beat these with a stick, "Oh wait I have beat them with many sticks, and logs , and branches and and and "

Just so long as you take you time and think through what you are planning to do they work fine... Oh wait you should probably do that before doing anything with the tractor

I have since put all the implements on pallets, moving them around has never been easier...


http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10525

 

[dom]

Awesome, thanks for the link and images Glen.

I just purchased some chains, work lights, and am about 99% ready to pull on some forks.

 

[NELS]

I gpt these for $319.00 with the stablizer and couldn't be happier. I don't plan on doing real heavy work but used them to move some logs over to a neighbor and to remove both of my 275 gal. oil tanks do I could built a concrete platform under them.

http://www.bucketsolutions.com/

 

[Lil Foot]

I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with whatever you get, and find them infinitely useful. Mine came with the tractor, and my only complaint is that they are round instead of rectangular. That being said, I have used them for moving pallets of block, large concrete planters, large rocks, loaded tool rollaways, 24" x 17" x 12 1/2' culverts, Rhino & other types of engines , my engine hoist/crane, full size camper shells, my box blade, my 60" plow, my 60" road roller, construction debris from tearing down an old shed, logs, slash, 10" radial arm saw, and more.
They're way better than using your back to lift stuff into pickup beds, trailers, dumpsters, tall porch decks***8230;.. the uses are pretty much endless.

P.S.- They'd probably work for shish kabobing zombies too.

 

[gssixgun]

.

P.S.- They'd probably work for shish kabobing zombies too.

LOL ok now that was funny

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

Just ordered some Titan forks with the stabilizer bar, $169 and free shipping. Been wanting a set for awhile and I can see a million uses for these.

 

[dom]

Just ordered some Titan forks with the stabilizer bar, $169 and free shipping. Been wanting a set for awhile and I can see a million uses for these.

Where did you find that deal?

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

They are just the 1500 lb series with stabilizer, but my BX will not lift that anyways. I'm not lookign to lift really heavy loads anyways, just save my back and play around

http://www.palletforks.com/clamp-on-pallet-forks-1-500-lbs-capacity-w-stabilizer-bar.html

 

[jb62901]

This set up is looking for a new home. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=wlytqh&s=4#.UxRm7IUhRLM

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=14uyjia&s=7#.UxRnG4UhRLM