How long are your forks?

[Lil Foot]

I have an old set of GC brand chain on forks, and I have always felt they were too long, especially for my B7100. I was thinking of shortening them and thought I would ask you folks what length yours are. The pertinent measurement would be from the bucket edge to the tip.
Judging from the third pic, mine must be at least 40", (stand is 39" deep) should have measured them last time I went there.
Thanks in advance.

 

[nbryan]

I find my 42" pallet forks are just the right size for the standard depth of most pallets.

 

[mickeyd]

On my LP 42" forks I have extenders that make it 60" and I have used them multiple times to lift my maximum weight.

 

[Kennyd4110]

42" for me, wouldn't want any longer or shorter.

 

[chim]

Does the length cause any problems for you? As long as you don't load them heavily at the tips, and they don't get in the way, the longer forks are probably handy for picking larger light things and piling brush on them.

 

[NWAZL3560]

Mine aren't clamp on and they're 36". Perfect most of the time, but sometimes I wish they were longer.

 

[mickeyd]

Does the length cause any problems for you? As long as you don't load them heavily at the tips, and they don't get in the way, the longer forks are probably handy for picking larger light things and piling brush on them.

Actually what I got the extenders for was to handle a 1,100 pound concrete stairs for my back deck. But since then I have used them many times to load and unload larger items.

You do have to do things very slowly and be very careful that you have enough weight on the back of the tractor.

 

[mikester]

Less is more. The shorter the better, especially if you are strapping forks on a bucket. You are losing a lot of lift capacity because you are pushing the load way forward.

 

[Lil Foot]

Does the length cause any problems for you? As long as you don't load them heavily at the tips, and they don't get in the way, the longer forks are probably handy for picking larger light things and piling brush on them.

If I try to pick up something like an old rotted log or a heavy limb, the forks are so long that the FEL will not lift until the forks are completely under the object.
In other words, the FEL cannot overcome the lever effect of the long forks. The FEL was only rated to lift 400lbs new, and I'm sure less after 41 years. FEL was rebuilt a few years ago, and functions well without the long lever arm of the forks to contend with. Something like a loaded pallet of almost anything is hard to lift because the load is so far from the pivot point.
I guess my thought was that if I can't use the outer 12" or so, why deal with all that extra length when maneuvering?
Sounds like most forks are around that 40"-42" length, so next time I go where the tractor is, I need to verify the fork length. My gut feel is that mine are still longer than that, but maybe not enough to make the chore of shortening them worth the effort.
A couple more pics, they seem long:

 

[Lil Foot]

I should also mention mine have a rectangular steel pocket welded just in front of the bucket lip that allow a couple 2x4s to be dropped in to prevent the load from sliding too far back. You can just see the yellow 2x4s in the culvert pic. Not a big deal, but one more thing that pushes the weight further from the pivot point.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I have 42" forks on a L3901 and 48" on my MX5800. The 42" are great for most pallet work and are a good fit on this size of tractor. The 48" on my MX5800 I often use for heavier work on larger loads. I have fork extensions that are both 5' and a set of 6'. These are very useful for larger light loads, I just built a woodshed and was able to lift, carry and place 8' x 8' roof sections made from 2' x 8" timber with the 6' fork extensions.

Fork extensions were from Titan Attachments and were about $100 for 5' and $125 for 6', very useful when you need them.

 

[Firefox]

48 inch is the right size for me. Gives full reach ,Full depth in standard pallet, any shorter and could not see fork tips in drivers seat(Guiding into pallet )Without standing up.Land pride-"48 weight is 350 pounds but still can lift just shy of 1000 pounds off the ground.(Pallet of hardwood)

 

[shootem604]

I have the 42" clamp on forks. They are rated for 1200lbs I think. I maxed out the loader moving a bus shelter I build for the kids on a heavy duty 5x5 skid - only dared lift it 8" and moved all the way down the driveway in first gear, low range, with the backhoe on for counterweight. Could barely turn the steering wheel.

 

[Lil Foot]

Got to visit the tractor for a few hours today and measured my forks- 42", so they're not overly long.
Thanks for your input.

 

[WFM]

Your forks only seem long as they are 24" out in front of your pivot point. If you had the drop the bucket quick connect as most of the newer tractors have they won't seem to long. Mine are 42" and wish they were 48".