Pallet forks?

28217 Views 110 Replies 47 Participants Last post by rtgt, Oct 4, 2019

Lhunter

Discussion Starter · Aug 20, 2019

I'm thinking about getting pallet forks. The clamp on type are around $145 and the JD QA are about $500. Has anybody had experience with either? I won't be using them for pallets as much as moving large logs small trees other brush appliances heavy work benches etc. I have moved all of these things quite well with buckets hooks and a chain or ratchet strap but pallet forks seem more convenient. I'm just wandering if they are worth the money?

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MacCool

· #2 · Aug 20, 2019

3

Lhunter said:
I'm thinking about getting pallet forks. The clamp on type are around $145 and the JD QA are about $500. Has anybody had experience with either? I won't be using them for pallets as much as moving large logs small trees other brush appliances heavy work benches etc. I have moved all of these things quite well with buckets hooks and a chain or ratchet strap but pallet forks seem more convenient. I'm just wandering if they are worth the money?

For me, forks were kind of an afterthought, but turned out to be the most useful attachment I own. They spend much more time on my tractor than the bucket. I use them mostly for brush, trees, stumps, and I made an device out of some scrap wood that magnifies the usefulness by a lot. Worth every penny of of the $475 (including shipping) that I paid for them.

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Leo_K

· #3 · Aug 20, 2019

Lhunter said:
I'm thinking about getting pallet forks. The clamp on type are around $145 and the JD QA are about $500. Has anybody had experience with either? I won't be using them for pallets as much as moving large logs small trees other brush appliances heavy work benches etc. I have moved all of these things quite well with buckets hooks and a chain or ratchet strap but pallet forks seem more convenient. I'm just wandering if they are worth the money?

I have/ had both the clamp on ones work ok as long as you don't overload them(small brush and such) I have a set of john deere forks and they are awesome:good2: and on my tractor all the time

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jimmylh

· #4 · Aug 20, 2019

Get regular forks, I think you will be happier with them. More money but they will have more lifting power by being closer to the loader and not bend your bucket.

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Kennyd

· #5 · Aug 20, 2019

This is one of the most talked about topics here on GTT-especially when it comes to attachments.. I suggest you search some for hours of reading!

I'd stay faaaarrrrr away from clamp ons, you will use decent forks 100 times more than you think you will.

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Old Cajun

· #6 · Aug 20, 2019

Kennyd said:
This is one of the most talked about topics here on GTT-especially when it comes to attachments.. I suggest you search some for hours of reading!

I'd stay faaaarrrrr away from clamp ons, you will use decent forks 100 times more than you think you will.

Big ditto on the forks!!

Have a set of 4' JD on mine, as others have said, you will use them more than you think.

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MacCool

· #7 · Aug 20, 2019

Kennyd said:
This is one of the most talked about topics here on GTT-especially when it comes to attachments.. I suggest you search some for hours of reading!

I'd stay faaaarrrrr away from clamp ons, you will use decent forks 100 times more than you think you will.

I'm certain that it's faster and easier to detach/drop my bucket and attach the frame/forks that it would be to try to cobble on some clamp-on forks.

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Corkpuller

· #8 · Aug 20, 2019

ya ever had to sacrifice a good set of vice grips to spool yer window up and down on your pickup? I have.

If you have, and you were pleased with that setup, then opt for the clamp on forks. :hi:

****disclaimer: for those that have the clamp on forks and they work well for you, then I am glad. Honest.

I'm saving my pennies for the Deere AP10.

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rtgt

· #9 · Aug 20, 2019

Corkpuller said:
ya ever had to sacrifice a good set of vice grips to spool yer window up and down on your pickup? I have.

If you have, and you were pleased with that setup, then opt for the clamp on forks. :hi:

****disclaimer: for those that have the clamp on forks and they work well for you, then I am glad. Honest.

I'm saving my pennies for the Deere AP10.

:bigthumb:

For the most part I use my grapple more that the bucket or forks, but when I need forks, they are pretty darn handy.

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rjm240

· #10 · Aug 20, 2019

Odd Man out

Visibility is very important with pallet forks if you are indeed using them for pallets or anything that you dont want to put big scratches in. I may be the odd man out here but I just picked up a set of Titan 36" forks with a frame. Others seem to prefer the local brands more but I am fairly impressed with what I was able to get for my money. They came quickly and seem very heavy duty. The visibility around the tractor hood is not great. I imagine trying to use clamp on forks would be nearly impossible to see what you are doing.

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Poppi

· #11 · Aug 20, 2019

Lhunter said:
I'm thinking about getting pallet forks. The clamp on type are around $145 and the JD QA are about $500. Has anybody had experience with either? I won't be using them for pallets as much as moving large logs small trees other brush appliances heavy work benches etc. I have moved all of these things quite well with buckets hooks and a chain or ratchet strap but pallet forks seem more convenient. I'm just wandering if they are worth the money?

I too have been looking at forks. I've followed the advise of many and tried to read all the threads I could find. I just yesterday ordered a pair of Titan 42" forks for $439 with free shipping. I need them for a job where I have to move and install 31 sheets of 3/4" plywood and don't want to carry it any more than I have to. To be honest, the true decision maker was my wonderful bride who's in full support of saving my back, especially since she hurt hers. She's just wonderful!

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Greenhope

· #12 · Aug 20, 2019

I have both and vote for the real pallet forks. And I would get a guard to protect your tractor from things falling back onto your tractor or you.

I liked the clamp on kind that I got at first....and I soon realized the value of having pallet forks, and how often I was switching from my bucket to them...and it is back breaking for my limitations to keep installing them and uninstalling them. It is so much easier to unload the bucket and load the real pallet forks with the john deere loader. Pallet forks have so many applications it was eye opening and still is when I realize all the things I can use them for.

Just the other day I needed to lift up my small fishing boat that had rainwater standing in it... but it was too heavy for me to lift. I lifted it up with the pallet forks and tilted it slowly backwards and emptied most of the water out of it. I then was able to bail the rest out by hand... at waste level. I then set it up on saw horses to clean and patch where needed.

If you get the clamp-on kind... you might end up spending more in the long run because you will get the other kind anyway like I did.

But just enjoy which ever kind you get. And remember... to keep finding new ways to use them!

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Greenhope

· #13 · Aug 20, 2019

MacCool said:
For me, forks were kind of an afterthought, but turned out to be the most useful attachment I own. They spend much more time on my tractor than the bucket. I use them mostly for brush, trees, stumps, and I made an device out of some scrap wood that magnifies the usefulness by a lot. Worth every penny of of the $475 (including shipping) that I paid for them.

That is the coolest tool you made! I can see lots of uses for that. And you used scrap wood. Great job.

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Lhunter

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 20, 2019

Thanks, I'm going to save up and get JD QA but for now I will continue using the bucket hooks with the chain or ratchet straps.

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MeagerHair

· #15 · Aug 20, 2019

I :lovetongue: my forks.

ddinham

· #16 · Aug 20, 2019

I vote for REAL pallet forks, not the clamp on type. The clamp on type do have the possibility of bending your bucket. But mostly, you will be very surprised how much you will use the REAL forks. Much more than the clamp on as it is easier to drop the bucket and attach the forks. In my case, I never leave either on my loader as it is so easy to drop the SSQA bucket and it is just in the way most of the time when mowing, for example. Then it is just as easy to attach the forks as it is the bucket. It is pretty much a toss up as which I use the most, but I would never be without the forks. Check out the following pic. No way I could have lifted that big hunk of concrete with clamp on forks with out destroying the bucket. I could barely lift it.

Dave

Land vehicle Tractor Vehicle Agricultural machinery Field

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WifeSaidOK

· #17 · Aug 20, 2019

MacCool said:
For me, forks were kind of an afterthought, but turned out to be the most useful attachment I own. They spend much more time on my tractor than the bucket. I use them mostly for brush, trees, stumps, and I made an device out of some scrap wood that magnifies the usefulness by a lot. Worth every penny of of the $475 (including shipping) that I paid for them

That’s pretty sweet. Got any plans, or pictures of the build?

Greenhope

· #18 · Aug 20, 2019

MacCool said:
For me, forks were kind of an afterthought, but turned out to be the most useful attachment I own. They spend much more time on my tractor than the bucket. I use them mostly for brush, trees, stumps, and I made an device out of some scrap wood that magnifies the usefulness by a lot. Worth every penny of of the $475 (including shipping) that I paid for them.

Hi MacCool,
Would you mind showing a photo of the bottom side of that gizmo you made? I'm so impressed... I might try to make one. The reason I asked is ... did you make a holder of some kind for the forks to slide into for more stability while driving and easier to dump without hopefully sliding off? It's like a giant bucket... minus the digging capabilities!:thumbup1gif:

klunker

· #19 · Aug 20, 2019

Lhunter said:
I'm thinking about getting pallet forks. The clamp on type are around $145 and the JD QA are about $500. Has anybody had experience with either? I won't be using them for pallets as much as moving large logs small trees other brush appliances heavy work benches etc. I have moved all of these things quite well with buckets hooks and a chain or ratchet strap but pallet forks seem more convenient. I'm just wandering if they are worth the money?

For moving logs, working in the woods forks are a poor choice.
A grapple is what you seek for moving logs.
You can pickup much heavier logs using a grapple.
You can grab logs from the ends or the sides.
You can grab a whole tree from the stump end and drag it to a spot where its easier to cut up.
The logs are securely held when moving which is a problem on forks when bouncing around in the woods.

In addition my woods have lots of rocks, I can dig out a rock, pick it up and drop it where I want with the grapple, another thing that forks can't do.

I don't have forks, I have a grapple.
I also use it for lifting things on the rare occasion that I need to using a strap and the grapple. This is a place where forks have an advantage.

Yes, a grapple is much more expensive.

In the end do some serious thinking about what you need to do. Then decide on the right tool for the job.

For me, I'm working in the woods with logs and rocks 95% of the time. I need to lift something that would be beneficial to have forks less than 1% of the time. Not worth the cost and having another thing to store for me.

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Eric1968

· #20 · Aug 20, 2019

seen too many people with bent buckets from clamp on forks, not worth the risk to me. Buckets cost more to replace than buying a set of forks!!!

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