Are all pallet forks created equal?

[Clevus]

So, when buying a wood chipper and watching the guy put it on my trailer, I realized I need pallet forks for my B2601. I already have SSQA.

What do I need to know?
I don’t need a bale spear.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

Depending on all your tasked…if you don’t want a dented hood, I’d recommend getting one with the back guard. (I did not do this and it gave me chance to find out how great KTAC really is ).

Then also if you do get one with a guard, I’d look for ones that the forks set flush to the guard. (This is so when you pull into something that it sets against the guard vs leaving room/movement)

beyond that I think. Step on the side of the frame is helpful as well as slots that you can put a chain link (like 5/16 or 3/8 log chain link in).

I hope this gives some ideas.

 

[Edke6bnl]

Good day.

Depending on all your tasked…if you don’t want a dented hood, I’d recommend getting one with the back guard. (I did not do this and it gave me chance to find out how great KTAC really is ).

Then also if you do get one with a guard, I’d look for ones that the forks set flush to the guard. (This is so when you pull into something that it sets against the guard vs leaving room/movement)

beyond that I think. Step on the side of the frame is helpful as well as slots that you can put a chain link (like 5/16 or 3/8 log chain link in).

I hope this gives some ideas.

Plus adjustable with forks and your good for any pallet
There are different spacing for the vertical mounts, there are different length fork, different width and thickness for different load capabilities

 

[lynnmor]

A receiver for a hitch ball mount might be useful if you have trailers.

 

[mikester]

Pallet forks are equal until you overload one side...

 

[torch]

So, when buying a wood chipper and watching the guy put it on my trailer, I realized I need pallet forks for my B2601. I already have SSQA.

What do I need to know?
I don’t need a bale spear.

The max lift capacity of your machine is under 1,000lbs -- at the pins, inclusive of the attachment. Considerably less at the tips of the forks. So a set of 5000lb forks is overkill, a light duty set will probably still be more than 1,000lbs capacity. And the light duty set will not reduce your net capacity as much as a heavier set. Similarly while 48" long forks are tempting for the extra reach, 42" long forks are better suited to the tractor's abilities.

A set of forks does not turn a compact tractor into a forklift. Don't get me wrong -- I love my forks, use them almost as much as the bucket -- just be aware of the limitations. You will not be unloading pallets of cinderblocks from a delivery truck. Keep empty pallets around so you can manually divide such loads over several pallets. And keep the weight as close to the tractor as possible.

One last thing: the forks don't travel parallel to the ground, they rotate in an arc. Be prepared to make tiny adjustments with the bucket curl stick as you go up or down. Throttle down to idle for better control.

 

[Old Machinist]

Depending on your frequency of need and budget you might get by with a set of clamp on forks. I've seen some worry about them bending buckets but you should be able to add something to spread the weight to prevent that.

I have used a set of clamp ons with straps to move my 1100 LB dry weight generator without bending the light duty bucket of my John Deere. I did put the rear strap around the loader frame to limit the pull on the forks but more than half of the weight was on the tip of the forks. I also only picked up just off the ground so I wasn't trying to load it on a trailer or anything.

If you have bucket hooks you can strap the front of the load to those. If you don't have bucket hooks you need them.

 

[Clevus]

My tractor is also an aid to my disability, missing leg. So tasks that involve distance and gravity are made easier and possible with the Kubota.
Where my old self would tilt something onto a cart and push/pull it to its spot. I can see my life being made much easier by palletizing.
GoodWorks has what they call VersaFork, which is SSQA and 3PT, has an assortment of hooks, 2” receiver and something they call a “wrecker” (shown)



I just pulled a big stump, and THAT would have been useful.

With the wrecker bucket I didn’t plan on and 42” forks , it looks like around $2k.

 

[Survivor]

Forget the clamp-on forks! My neighbor bought a pair and shortly broke one of them, and since they don't sell one at a time anymore, he had to buy yet another pair. Now he's spent enough for a real set of SSQA forks but doesn't have them.

Plus the clamp-on puts the load way out in front and includes the empty weight of the bucket so you really have not much payload lift at all on a subcompact tractor.

You can change the SSQA easier and faster than the clamp-on and without any lifting.

I've had pretty good luck with Titan Attachments for simple stuff like this.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

All of what Torch said !!! YES YES YES
I have a set of HLA 42" pallet forks rated for 900# for my BX23S and they work GREAT !
When you're skidding stuff, double up ! skid on ground is 'sacrificial'(water and bug), 2nd one holds the 'stuff'. Also easier,cleaner to grab the 2nd skid ....

Yes, it does take a LOT of practice to get the hang of them, but you'll figure it out.
I store my unit on a cart, it slides under my work bench in garage.

 

[JonM]

dont get forks that are rated substantially higher than your fel can lift. same or slightly above. going really big just reduces how much you can lift for no reason.

when i got my pallet forks i went with what my dealer recommended but didnt go over long. mine are just long enough for a standard pallet. while it did make the initial learning curve a bit steeper i got used to them. knowing im not going to stab way out past the pallet is super nice

 

[Clevus]

My tractor is also an aid to my disability, missing leg. So tasks that involve distance and gravity are made easier and possible with the Kubota.
Where my old self would tilt something onto a cart and push/pull it to its spot. I can see my life being made much easier by palletizing.
GoodWorks has what they call VersaFork, which is SSQA and 3PT, has an assortment of hooks, 2” receiver and something they call a “wrecker” (shown)
View attachment 156916
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View attachment 156922
I just pulled a big stump, and THAT would have been useful.

With the wrecker bucket I didn’t plan on and 42” forks , it looks like around $2k.

Yeah, that’s what I went with.
My reasons
1: Three point compatible is a big one. My B7500 doesn’t have a FEL. It is a dedicated lawn mower.. I like having the ability to use it with that.
2: The 2fer with the “Wrecker” stump bucket. I have a couple stumps the Titan puller couldn't budge. Digging them out will probably be first use for it.

looking around on the internet, this has a lot of extras.

 

[Bearcatrp]

My 1st set was for a skid steer. Big mistake. To heavy so less lift. Found a place that makes them small tractors. Lite weight. Works great for my BX1880.

Kubota BX Tractor Pallet Forks - Pallet Fork Attachment for Kubota - Redline Systems

This pallet fork attachment for Kubota BX tractors is made in the USA by Redline Systems. Kubota pallet forks, forklift attachment.

www.redlinesystemsinc.com