pallet forks? need advice

[Kingcreek]

I don't want to spend much, only need something occaisionally and don't need to lift to double stack or anything. mainly just be able to move pallets with less than 1000 pounds load.
I don't have a universal quick attach on the loader (but I would like to convert to one sometime).
I'm not fond of bucket-mounted forks even though cheap I don't want to bugger or bend my bucket edge but I would have added ability to lift to truck bed height.
3pt mounted pallet lifter/mover would suffice for most of my needs.
any thoughts or opinions?
Thanks

 

[MagKarl]

Forks have turned out to be 10x more useful than I ever imagined. I bought a set of used Rankin clamp ons off of Craig's List and love them. I can't see a 3 point mount set being anywhere near as useful. Loading/unloading heavy objects and pallets from my truck is cake now. You have two choices, pony up big bucks for a detachable bucket and fork setup or live with the off chance you'll bend the bucket. I can see that happening if you had the forks really close together, but with my tractor, I've tried lifting pallets that were more than my loader could lift and no damage to my bucket. If you have a stronger loader and weaker bucket you may not be so lucky.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got the LA481 loader with the heavy duty round-back bucket and top of bucket is tube steel reinforced as originally came from Kubota

 

[smog]

I welded a set of pallet forks as a 3 point implement for my B7200.

It' one of the most useful project I ever made; I even use a flat plywood pallet as a work bench when I'm not close to the garage.

 

[bcbull378]

I have a L3830 I bought it with 600 hours on it . When the fella and I that I bought it from were making the deal he kept saying it has the quick attatch pallet forks I told him I didnt want them so I could get the price down a bit more. I bought the tractor for the price I wanted to give with the pallet forks , gannon, springtooth
and I have to say I use the hell out of them. I wouldnt be with out them now, save up and convert to a quick detach bucket and buy yourself some forks you wont regret it .....Dan

 

[Bulldog]

One of the most usfull things I ever bought for my tractor. I never have had the need to drop my loader off again after installing this QA. I drop the bucket when I don't need it. It takes just a couple of minutes to change from bucket to forks and no moving parts to wear out. It doesn't have any slop to it like a skid steer type QA will get after it wears. After using both types I would take the Kubota version hands down.

I don't know how I ever made it without forks and a QA. You won't regret either one.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've pretty much decided to save up for a QA since that is where I would like to be someday anyway. my neighbor is a good guy (he sold me the L3010 when he traded to an M70xx) and he said I could borrow his QA forks whenever I need them. I just gotta make sure I get the same QA setup. so I really just need to convert to QA loader and current bucket first.

 

[magicheater]

I have a L3830 I bought it with 600 hours on it . When the fella and I that I bought it from were making the deal he kept saying it has the quick attatch pallet forks I told him I didnt want them so I could get the price down a bit more. I bought the tractor for the price I wanted to give with the pallet forks , gannon, springtooth
and I have to say I use the hell out of them. I wouldnt be with out them now, save up and convert to a quick detach bucket and buy yourself some forks you wont regret it .....Dan

I agree wholeheartedly!

One of the most usfull things I ever bought for my tractor. I never have had the need to drop my loader off again after installing this QA. I drop the bucket when I don't need it. It takes just a couple of minutes to change from bucket to forks and no moving parts to wear out. It doesn't have any slop to it like a skid steer type QA will get after it wears. After using both types I would take the Kubota version hands down.

I don't know how I ever made it without forks and a QA. You won't regret either one.

I designed and built my own set of forks and Q/A for my LA402 loader. I have lifted loads of 900 lbs. with it!