Forks are something that you only need them when you need them, so depending on your application, they may sit around a lot. They are a huge benefit of owning a loader, however you really want your loader to be capable of lifting at least around 1000lb 4 feet in the air (if not 1500 LB). I think LX is about as small of a tractor you'd want...
I got a land pride 3042 as that's what the dealer had in stock. 3000 LB capacity 42 inch long. Do it over again, I'd probably would have gotten 48 inch long as they only 30 LB heavier. It's difficult to see the ends of the forks when they are low and I end up standing up on the tractor and you end up using the tips to push in or pull stuff... that extra 6 inches would have been nice. A pallet depth is 48, so a downside is you might go too far when you got 2 pallets near each other (42 ensures that will never happen). I don't like 36 or shorter forks would support pallets too well... They have 2000 LB forks, but they're hardly lighter. End of the day, you're looking at ~350 LB for forks (42 inch, 3k capable)
My L3301 loader is rated for ~850 LB 2 feet out (not pins) at max height, but at lower heights it's more capable. It can (and I have) get 2000 LB off the ground a few inches (+350 forks) so having 3000 LB capacity is just about right (2000 LB would have been fine too). IDK if LX is like that, but the LA525 loader is really 'under rated' especially when you got your hydraulic pressured turned up. People say it 'wont handle lifting a hay bale or 1000 LB skid, but I KNOW and SEEN it can despite what the 'max capacity ' numbers might say.
I really doubt you'll find a reasonable 2000 LB capacity 42 inch forks under 300 LB. If you do, they're probably not that solid. Certainly with a 1k max lift you don't want a 1k rated pallet fork because the loader is much more capable than that at lower lift heights.
Similar to a pic here, I leave straps wrapped around on mine.
Once you have pallet forks, the mindset of 'unloading the truck or trailer' changes. You get the forks out and utilize them...don't even have to grab pallets...just unload on the forks then move it. Then you realize you can store heavy stuff and also use forks to move it in and out of storage. For anyone doing construction, home improvement, farm, or hobby work, they really open up a lot of opportunities of what you can do. If you don't do much of that and just mowing grass on a suburban lot, it might be excessive....though still you'll be able to do residential deliveries with 'no liftgate required,' saving ~$100 per delivery. The forks would pay for themselves after ordering 5-8 items, though IDK if that's good enough to have them sitting around.
About the whole store it outside thing...well I kept mine in a de-attached, not air conditioned garage/shop and there are still spots where it's rusting. I don't think you can win the battle against rust...they're just a big chunk of steel and I don't think a little rust will harm them aside from cosmetic value. Mainly you want them to be easily accessible and if they're tucked deep in your AC's garage, it really becomes a question of 'do I want to bother to go dig them out.' If you place them right next to where you park your trailer or work truck and where it's easy to hook up to, it turns into 'why not use them.'
I got a land pride 3042 as that's what the dealer had in stock. 3000 LB capacity 42 inch long. Do it over again, I'd probably would have gotten 48 inch long as they only 30 LB heavier. It's difficult to see the ends of the forks when they are low and I end up standing up on the tractor and you end up using the tips to push in or pull stuff... that extra 6 inches would have been nice. A pallet depth is 48, so a downside is you might go too far when you got 2 pallets near each other (42 ensures that will never happen). I don't like 36 or shorter forks would support pallets too well... They have 2000 LB forks, but they're hardly lighter. End of the day, you're looking at ~350 LB for forks (42 inch, 3k capable)
My L3301 loader is rated for ~850 LB 2 feet out (not pins) at max height, but at lower heights it's more capable. It can (and I have) get 2000 LB off the ground a few inches (+350 forks) so having 3000 LB capacity is just about right (2000 LB would have been fine too). IDK if LX is like that, but the LA525 loader is really 'under rated' especially when you got your hydraulic pressured turned up. People say it 'wont handle lifting a hay bale or 1000 LB skid, but I KNOW and SEEN it can despite what the 'max capacity ' numbers might say.
I really doubt you'll find a reasonable 2000 LB capacity 42 inch forks under 300 LB. If you do, they're probably not that solid. Certainly with a 1k max lift you don't want a 1k rated pallet fork because the loader is much more capable than that at lower lift heights.
Similar to a pic here, I leave straps wrapped around on mine.
Once you have pallet forks, the mindset of 'unloading the truck or trailer' changes. You get the forks out and utilize them...don't even have to grab pallets...just unload on the forks then move it. Then you realize you can store heavy stuff and also use forks to move it in and out of storage. For anyone doing construction, home improvement, farm, or hobby work, they really open up a lot of opportunities of what you can do. If you don't do much of that and just mowing grass on a suburban lot, it might be excessive....though still you'll be able to do residential deliveries with 'no liftgate required,' saving ~$100 per delivery. The forks would pay for themselves after ordering 5-8 items, though IDK if that's good enough to have them sitting around.
About the whole store it outside thing...well I kept mine in a de-attached, not air conditioned garage/shop and there are still spots where it's rusting. I don't think you can win the battle against rust...they're just a big chunk of steel and I don't think a little rust will harm them aside from cosmetic value. Mainly you want them to be easily accessible and if they're tucked deep in your AC's garage, it really becomes a question of 'do I want to bother to go dig them out.' If you place them right next to where you park your trailer or work truck and where it's easy to hook up to, it turns into 'why not use them.'
