Front Loader Pallet Forks

Paul:

Thanks for your input. What part do you think would be weak? The loader lift capacity is 6,700 pounds on this bucket. I was thinking of welding hooks on the top of the bucket for a quick connect. The back carraige plate would span across the top and bottom of the bucket (see below example image).

As the other person said, I think with the bucket in between your forks & your loader frame, you are adding a lot of length to the deal. That is a killer to most loaders - you greatly reduce the lift capacity.

People have done what you are thinking about, & it works well. But generally for light loads. for the heavy stuff like you want to do, I would get the bucket out of there, & get an attachable plate made as the other picture shows. You will be very hard on your front axle, loader frame, hydraulics, stability of the rig, and the bottom lip of the bucket by leveraging the max weight out that far,

Of course, you have a better handle on your equipment & uses than I do, but I would not want to do it.

--->Paul

I'm not sure of the distance between the bucket pins and the front of the bucket. I'll measure it over the weekend. It's a big job to remove the bucket though. I checked on the front loader quick attach, but the cost was significant. Can't afford it. The load I'll be lifting is more like 3,400 pounds.

Have any of you ever used or seen the following bucket forks:

Better are the style that use a chain & tightener that wrap around the top of the bucket - they put some weight on the top of the bucket, not the whole load on the front edge of the floor.

--->Paul

--->Paul

image

Paul: Yes, I agree. These forks are made to be used with or without a chain and binders. For that weight, I would for sure use the chain and binders. I found a company who will make a set of these with 5,000 lb. forks. The dimensions would be 2" thick, 4" wide, and 48" long. They can be attached with the chains and binders, or with the built-in clamp for light duty work.

RonG: The image you attached is the type of frame I had in mind for my welder to build. My plans were for him to weld 4-sturdy hooks on the top of the loader bucket, then weld a 2" solid steel round bar across the top of the frame. The frame and forks would store standing upright. I would drive up on the loader, lower the bucket to fit under the round bar, then raise the bucket to lift the frame/forks. The bottom of the frame would rest against the bottom of the bucket. Likewise for the top of the frame would rest against the top of the bucket. I've attached an image URL that gives you an idea what kind of hook-up the frame would be on the loader.

Anyone have a better idea?

Thanks for all of your advice!