[Sylvester Calzone]

now that the 3 point is on and working :trink: :clap:
I need to fab up some forks.
looking for ideas before I start.

should I make a fork frame to attach to the A frame, the top portion would be a thick steel pipe with a next size steel pipe to go over that to weld the forks onto, this way its adjustable and could be locked with either a large set screw or holes drilled in the pipes in measured lengths that a pin can slide into.

I dont plan to lift crazy weight, more just to move my many attachments.

 

[cp7]

Here's Brinly's version and a pair of home made ones I saw awhile back.
If your wanting store bought http://www.alzwelding.com/ has a slick design.
Watch his video. His bucket forks are cool too.

 

[Sylvester Calzone]

thank you, I am thinking something like that home made job
if all goes well I will pick up some crates this week/end then look for some metal. :trink:

 

[cp7]

I liked those too that's why I saved the pictures. I like how he used straight metal and didn't have to bend them. He beefed them up with the gussets real nice.
Did you look at Alzs videos? They sure made you understand how much you need them don't they?
Make sure and get some good pics of what you build. :thumbsup:

 

[Sylvester Calzone]

yes! exactly, I am trying to stay away from bending anything.
and I dont plan to lift crazy weight, just attachments.

I will video the process

and post any questions :trink:

 

[Bart]

I made up pallet forks using some 4" channel and they will lift anything my loader can lift. For a 3 pt hitch 3" channel should work equally as well. You can make the width adjustable but in practice you probably won't bother moving them so I'd just make them wide enough to handle a pallet and then you can move anything that will fit on the pallet.

 

[cp7]

My intent is to buy a pair of these forks and make a frame for my 646. They want $400 for the setup but will sell just the forks for $150. They've got them in 42" and 36". http://www.arrowforklift.com/micro-pallet-forks.html

 

[Bart]

I picked up some forks from a junked forklift for $0. Check around and you may find some used ones cheaper than $150.

 

[Sylvester Calzone]

I picked up some forks from a junked forklift for $0. Check around and you may find some used ones cheaper than $150.

hmm I do know someone that works on forklifts. good idea!
but would they not weigh allot more then a home made job.

 

[cp7]

I've got an extra pair for my skid steer and they're 1.75" x 4" x 36" and weigh a good 100lbs each. The ones that I linked to are only 1" x 2" and they have them in a 42" or 36". The 42" with the carriage only weighs 130lbs. They're built for machines like the Toro Dingo. I checked with every forklift outfit in KC and they didn't have anything as small as those especially used.
The channel iron that Bart mentioned weighs about 4 - 5 lbs a foot so something homemade would be about the same weight as these.

 

[Bart]

The forklift forks are definitely a lot heavier but I haven't found that to be a problem on the loader. For the 3 pt you're probably not going to be lifting more than 300 lbs so the channel would be more than adequate. I used my channel forks for several years and lifted some very large oak logs without any problems but then I tried to pry a large log loose that was frozen in the ground and that did them in. The forklift forks can handle any abuse I dream up. :sidelaugh:

 

[gunnarfan]

i have a pair of pallet jack/hand trucks that both have their own set of problems. I've been debating for a while modding them to work on a 3 point. if it works out i'll post it.

 

[Sylvester Calzone]

looking forward to it :thumbup:

 

[Mr onetwo]

I talked to Al @ Alzwelding...he uses 3/4" x 3" flat bar for his forks.My steel guy up here can do 2 forks bent for $178.I also asked Al about making a cage to fit Case 600 series.His price is $499 minus 20% right now for the "safety forks" setup.Add shipping to that.He said if I sent him some drawings and photos he would fab it for that price....seriously thinking about doing it.Anyone else want to get in on something like this in the NorthEast to save on shipping?

 

[cp7]

I'd look into the factory forged forks for the price of your bent ones. It says they have a dealer near you. http://www.arrowforklift.com/micro-pallet-forks.html
The carriage would be easy to build. Take a look at the mount that Gregad511 built. viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2315