Clamp on pallet forks
- Thread starter james.echerd
- Start date
CountryBumkin
New member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2370 w/LA243, Bucket, Grapple, QA Pallet Forks, 60" MMM, rear blade & rake
I've been thinking about this too.
You could get a set of clamp-on forks for under $150 http://www.palletforks.com/clamp-on-pallet-forks-1-500-lbs-capacity.html - or a full/real pallet-fork attachment for $450?
My concern with the clamp on style is that you have the forks extended out from the bucket edge a lot so you lose a bunch of lifting capacity. Plus the weight of the bucket takes away from the fork's lifting capacity. On a BX (with bucket still mounted) I think the clamp on forks are capable of picking up 250 to 300 lbs.
With a full pallet-fork attachment your lifting capacity is about tripled.
You could get a set of clamp-on forks for under $150 http://www.palletforks.com/clamp-on-pallet-forks-1-500-lbs-capacity.html - or a full/real pallet-fork attachment for $450?
My concern with the clamp on style is that you have the forks extended out from the bucket edge a lot so you lose a bunch of lifting capacity. Plus the weight of the bucket takes away from the fork's lifting capacity. On a BX (with bucket still mounted) I think the clamp on forks are capable of picking up 250 to 300 lbs.
With a full pallet-fork attachment your lifting capacity is about tripled.
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Country Bumpkin is right on his observations. I bought Titan's (from Amazon) $115 forks, and use them almost daily, during the summer. Great for moving picnic tables, accumulating brush and branches on the loader.
I had to get a quick attach for my grapple anyway - that made me go with real pallet forks instead of clamp ons. BEcause now I can take my bucket off is like 30-60 secs and the forks slip right in its place. Lets me see the forks better also with no bucket and I can lift heavier stuff and no worry about bending my bucket.
Plus I have pirrana teeth on my bucket - clamp ons would be a pain.
I went ahead and spent a bit more and got pallet forks that not only can go on the front but also without doing any modification can be used on the 3 point in the rear.
http://www.mytractortools.com/forks.html
Plus I have pirrana teeth on my bucket - clamp ons would be a pain.
I went ahead and spent a bit more and got pallet forks that not only can go on the front but also without doing any modification can be used on the 3 point in the rear.
http://www.mytractortools.com/forks.html
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My L came with the QA loader so I definitely went with the full pallet forks. Also with the clamp on ones you have to watch out for denting the edge of the bucket.
With clamp on you will also have to reduce your load.
the farther you are from the pivot the less you can lift!
ray
the farther you are from the pivot the less you can lift!
ray
RItractorman
New member
Equipment
Kubota L2650, Brush hog, box garder, auger, forks, front bucket, komatsu mini ex
Yes, they are super handy for a variety of different needs. I do not have a QD bucket, so clamp on forks work for me. Mine are Rankin brand. No bucket damage.
I bought the titan clamp on forks. They do fit over the piranha bar but fit only on the very outside of bucket where the notches are. I think the piranha bar acts as a backbone for the lip. Anyways I am not picking anything up very heavy other than moving around my 3 picnic tables all summer and brush. The BX isnt going to pick up a pallet of landscape blocks anyways. These are good for light duty work only.
alansz400
New member
Equipment
B7500. FEL, Piranha tooth bar, box scraper, post hole digger, 3 pt. bucket
The bucket is for sure the weak link with clamp on forks. Like others have said good for light loads and brush. Worked well to move a fuel oil tank. I built my own spreader bar to save some $. Haven't used them with the tooth bar.
Heaviest thing I moved with them.
Mine will be for sale if my new front hitch idea works.
Heaviest thing I moved with them.
Mine will be for sale if my new front hitch idea works.
CountryBumkin
New member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2370 w/LA243, Bucket, Grapple, QA Pallet Forks, 60" MMM, rear blade & rake
How much did those pallet forks cost?
There is no pricing on the website you linked to - and I'm curious. The only downside to those forks (pricing yet unknown) is that forks appear to be fixed (can't adjust spacing). I assume they are spaced appropriately for picking up standard wood pallets, if yes, its not a problem for me.
Thanks.
I've got a set of Land Pride clamp on forks (came with the tractor). Use them all the time, haven't noticed any damage to the bucket...but then I don't try and pick things up that would be pushing the limits of what they can do.
RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
I'm interested in this also. Thanks for telling us what brands you guys have.
Brought home a new 44" HF toolbox on a pallet, and had to take it off the truck with just the bucket. A dicey pick, but all worked out Okay. Not sure I'd try it again......
That was 288 lbs - maybe using 'Bumpkin's math - I'd be OK with similar loads??
I have an air compressor coming home this winter @ 300lbs. Clamp-ons might be in my future.
Not having seen one in person - also wonder if welding a short extension on the bottom brackets might lessen risk of bending the bucket? They just seem kinda short.
Brought home a new 44" HF toolbox on a pallet, and had to take it off the truck with just the bucket. A dicey pick, but all worked out Okay. Not sure I'd try it again......
That was 288 lbs - maybe using 'Bumpkin's math - I'd be OK with similar loads??
I have an air compressor coming home this winter @ 300lbs. Clamp-ons might be in my future.
Not having seen one in person - also wonder if welding a short extension on the bottom brackets might lessen risk of bending the bucket? They just seem kinda short.
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Yes i was worried also about fixed. Talked to the owner and he said fixed was better if I was doing pallets mostly. Stronger - all welded one piece, and it allowed him to be universal for the front and back at the same time. I only needed to add a top pin. I thought about it and I wanted to do pallets mostly. My generator also has built in pallet on the bottom. So fixed is fixed the right size for any standard pallet.
I have to remember - a big part is shipping. If your local for a pickup much better. But still worth it for me as I was thinking of getting a 2nd set of clamp ons for the rear 3 point hitch with heavy hitch. So that with the front clamp ons the price was gonna be close. I think price was $485 or $500 for them. But truck freight was another $185 I think. Still worth it for me.
I have lifted some heavy stuff with them and they don't bend or budge. Really strong metal. I think they weigh like 120 pounds so lightweight enough without the bucket that it gives me more lifting power closer to the tractor. And I can see the forks from my seat. Where with clamp ons - not so easy.
Now I can have things put on the back of my pickup or on my trailer with a pallet and I can take them right off and move them no chains or anything needed. Instead of using the bucket to move things around my yard - everything gets moved on pallets. Fast and easy. Even put my snowblower on a pallet and lifted it up to a 2nd shelf in my back shed to store it. Slid it in and off the floor and out of the way. When it was time to get the snowblower - forked them right off the shelf and into the front garage to be installed.
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Racerwannabe
New member
Equipment
B7510 w/LA302 FEL, Titan clamp-on forks & Woods BH75 with custom hydraulic thumb
I bought the Titan clamp on forks a couple years ago. They work great. For heavy stuff I use mini chain binders to my bucket hooks which also works great to tighten things up and eliminate some of the flex. With the chains I'm only weigh limited by my loader capacity
I've also got a set of the titan clamp on for my L3901 and I love them. I realize the lifting capacity is less but it also depends on how high you plan to lift the load. My loader max capacity at the end of the bucket at max height is 855 lbs. but at 5 ft high it's 1182 lbs. I've been stacking logs with mine today (12 to 15" dia x 8' long) with no problem. If I'm lifting anything heavy as Racerwannabe said I put chains on them and no problem with bending the bucket.
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I have a set of 1000 pound clamp on bucket forks and I have slightly bent them but not the bucket.
They work alright for a tractor like mine that has no quick attach on the loader, but I'd rather have real pallet forks.
They are hard to see in front of the bucket and they put a LOT of leverage on the bucket. You have to be very careful curling because it will drop like a stone.
Even lifting a lawn tractor like alansz400 or my box blade makes it very touchy on the curl.
But they are definitely better than nothing.
They work alright for a tractor like mine that has no quick attach on the loader, but I'd rather have real pallet forks.
They are hard to see in front of the bucket and they put a LOT of leverage on the bucket. You have to be very careful curling because it will drop like a stone.
Even lifting a lawn tractor like alansz400 or my box blade makes it very touchy on the curl.
But they are definitely better than nothing.
RCW
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
I got a set of Titan's clamp on forks today.
Look pretty decent.
I'm still in winter mode with the snowblower on, but hope to put the FEL on in the next couple weeks.
These are the 4,000 lb ones. I think 10 lbs heavier for each fork than the 1,500 lb ones, and have the stabilizer. Clamping bolt looked a little heavier duty in the on-line pictures, and 2"x3" vs. 2"x4" for the heavier ones.
Of course, much more capacity than my little BX can handle, but maybe it will have a big brother someday!!
Look pretty decent.
I'm still in winter mode with the snowblower on, but hope to put the FEL on in the next couple weeks.
These are the 4,000 lb ones. I think 10 lbs heavier for each fork than the 1,500 lb ones, and have the stabilizer. Clamping bolt looked a little heavier duty in the on-line pictures, and 2"x3" vs. 2"x4" for the heavier ones.
Of course, much more capacity than my little BX can handle, but maybe it will have a big brother someday!!
