Loader/3pt pallet forks/Grapple

[BXHoosier]

When I built my loader bucket pallet forks, I planned to build a frame to also be able to use the forks on the 3 pt hitch. Today, I started measuring and cutting steel for the frame. What I have done so far was made from materials I had in the shop. I am going to add a receiver hitch to the frame as well. It will be quick hitch compatible too in case I decide to buy a QH someday.

Edit
I’m also building a quick attach grapple for the pallet forks.

 

[dlsmith]

Looks like a good start, Keep us posted on your progress.

What size and wall thickness tubing did you use?

 

[BXHoosier]

Looks like a good start, Keep us posted on your progress.

What size and wall thickness tubing did you use?

The forks are 2x3x3/16 wall. The frame is 2x2x1/8 wall tube, 2x2x3/16 angle, and 1-1/2x3 channel

 

[BXHoosier]

Made tabs for the lower pins and notched the angle to fit between the top and bottom tubes. I just need another piece of tube for the other end and a piece of angle iron for the forks to hang on the top tube.

 

[BXHoosier]

I picked up the rest of the steel I need, lower lift pins, and a 2” receiver. The receiver slips thru a hole in the piece of channel. I clamped the angle to the top horizontal tube and hung a fork from it to see what I want to do to keep the forks from bouncing off of the frame. I will probably weld short pieces of the channel towards the bottom of the forks to hook under the bottom horizontal tube. That is as long as it does not get in the way of the bucket when I use the forks on the bucket.

 

[BXHoosier]

The frame is tacked together other than the angle iron the forks will hook over on the top.

 

[BXHoosier]

Got everything welded and hung the forks on. I have a tube to weld between the lower pins to keep the angle iron from twisting.

 

[Stomper]

Looks real good and it should come in handy

 

[BXHoosier]

I added mounts to the frame to fit the loader and painted the pieces. The bucket level indicator attaches to the frame so I’ll know when the forks are level. I welded 1/2” bars to the loader pins for handles to make it easier to swap between the bucket and forks.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

NICE !
couple of comments...
1) add a few squirts of oil to the vertical fork 'tubes' then cap off. otherwise rain gets in them and rust happens....
2) watch out for wasps in the horizontal frame tubes !

 

[BXHoosier]

Thanks Jay!

Put the forks on and parked in the sun to help finish curing the paint.

 

[Henro]

Very nice,

When I started reading the thread I thought why not make the forks work on the loader? Better there.

But it yours now work both places. Best of both worlds.

I love my clamp on bucket forks, but not having a bucket in the way is excellent.

Great job. I am envious!

 

[BXHoosier]

Thanks Henro.
I wish I’d added the loader mounts from the beginning.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I love my clamp on bucket forks, but not having a bucket in the way is excellent.

Plus, you get more lift capacity this way.


Say, Hoosier, do you have any pics of them mounted on the 3PH? I'd love to see that. Do you know what the lift capacity is when mounted in the rear?

I would love to be able to handle firewood in tote cages using my BX, but the bucket won't lift a full cage, so....

I'm just wondering if lifting with the 3PH would give me the needed capacity. I don't need them to lift high, just enough to move them around.

 

[BXHoosier]

They easily lifted the backhoe and dolly (roughly 650 lbs) so they should be able to lift one of those totes filled with firewood. I believe the 3-point is rated to lift around 1,000-1,200 lbs at the ends of the arms.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I know it's 6xx something @ 24 inches back, so 1,000 at the balls would make sense.

I'm going to have to check it out some rear pallet forks!

Very nice project!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The BX23S manual says 'W0' is 1250 #. So take at most 150# off for the 'carryall/pallet fork' and it should haul totes of wood. Be SURE to add ballast up front though !! I KNOW my D14 had fronts off the ground with 3000# log on the back.....turning was done by rear brakes.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Well, that's encouraging, folks. I think I'm going to to figure out a temporary way to connect a full tote to the 3PH and see what happens.

If it works, I'll be buying a fork attachment. The labor savings will be huge.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Hoosier!

 

[michigander]

Well, that's encouraging, folks. I think I'm going to to figure out a temporary way to connect a full tote to the 3PH and see what happens.

If it works, I'll be buying a fork attachment. The labor savings will be huge.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Hoosier!

Tractor Supply carry all might be the ticket
Normally its on sale a cheaper.

CountyLine Carry All at Tractor Supply Co.

Find CountyLine Carry All in the Hauling Attachments category at Tractor Supply Co.The CountyLine Carry All is ideal for small moving and carryi

www.tractorsupply.com

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Tractor Supply carry all might be the ticket
Normally its on sale a cheaper.

CountyLine Carry All at Tractor Supply Co.

Find CountyLine Carry All in the Hauling Attachments category at Tractor Supply Co.The CountyLine Carry All is ideal for small moving and carryi

www.tractorsupply.com

Yeah, I looked at that. Several reviews say the pins are located too high for a small tractor, and they can't get their loads much off the ground.

I've got it on my "think about it" list, though. I did find a fork attachment online that weighs 50 pounds less, and is a proper fork, and has the pins located much lower. Same price, but $99 shipping. Might be worth it, though, if it works out of the box.