Changed my mind about buying forks.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

I place order for 48 in titan forks. Order Screwed up didn't complete. Talked to a friend who has 42 inch forks and he reminded me that loading logs on dump trailer the bucket won't go thigh enough so you have difficulty getting log off forks when trailer gets full

So off to RK for 1/4 chain binder. The rest is in the pic.

ohiojim · Nov 7, 2019

shoulda got the forks.

markct · Nov 7, 2019

Fork length has no real effect on lift height, maybe lose a tiny but of dump angle but will definitely be better than bucket forks. You could always go with 36" forks if you are doing lots of log work

markct · Nov 7, 2019

Another thought also if logs are the primary use then a double bale spear with short spears may be cheaper and serve you better

john in la · Nov 7, 2019

I do not know if I could stomach drilling holes in a new piece of equipment. At least not for the first year or two.

jm. · Nov 7, 2019

Take it from some one who has seen that tried too many times you will not be satisfied. When you get time call me and I will tell you all the reasons.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 7, 2019

newhollandnut · Nov 7, 2019

Many people have said you will not like this but putting forks on the bucket will cut your lifting capacity for a small tractor almost in half and having the load out that far in front it will be hard to keep the rear tires on the ground

jacksun65 · Nov 7, 2019

I use my forks more than my bucket. Logs moving brush piles carrying things on pallets etc.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

Jm,
You may be right. I've used these on terramites for years. I know factory forks are better built and weight too much for my to handle. So I'll give this a try. I know I will need to make something to keep logs and brush from going over the bucket.

I could borrow friends 42 inch forks and see if they are better. See if I have strength to move forks.
Mine are plenty strong to lift logs and brush.

Brush want to come over to bucket. May have same problem with logs on this tractor.
Be interesting to see Hota's strength.
I have some tree need removed.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

If you have loaded loaded logs in trailer. you would realize you need 36 inch forks.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

That's true you ways. Bucket weights around 600#, Forks around 300#. And logs will be about a foot closer to tractor.

And I'm fully aware of need for rear ballast.
Good chance I'm lifting the tractor's limit.
Could lift without grabbing another log on the rear hook.

If

I extend the rear log back and drop the log in the front I'll do a wheelie.

glennster · Nov 7, 2019

if you have an extra hydraulic outlet, look into a brush grapple. i bought one for my skidder, handier than a pocket on a shirt heres a link
poke here

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

No remote.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

John
It's like putting a scratch or dent in new car or truck. No biggie. It will happen, already put 2 holes in bucket. Will add more when needed.

I've modified about everything I own to make it more user friendly.
George

Richard G. · Nov 7, 2019

What are those forks made of?
Some kind of channel iron?
Richard in NW SC

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

Used 7 inch channel. First set I made used 4 inch channel and they bent them with easy.
One 7 inch Forks are strong enough to lift rear wheels off the ground. Terramite and Hota are rated lifting force around 1700. The close to tractor more force. Conversely the greater the distance, less. That's why home made bucket forks will lift less. No biggie, shorten logs, all burn the same.
George

dcarp · Nov 7, 2019

I agree, terrible idea adding those to the front of the bucket.

Billy NY · Nov 7, 2019

That is hard to figure, that tractor looks like it should easily have enough lift height with forks on, and you don't need much to let them roll off as you already know. I put a quick tach set of forks on a compact tractor at our other place, for my father actually, single most useful attachment hands down. There is no way I would ever go back to bucket forks and I still have a set that I used quite a bit, I adapted some old vehicle lift arms making forks from them.

The problem you describe is true with the 3 pt forks I have, need to get a hydraulic top link for this attachment, still very handy but you can't stack much with them.

JayinNY · Nov 7, 2019

Maybe you would be better off with a grapple, my brother has one, we have moved a lot of logs and brush, roots rocks ect with it, I know this is a skid steer and not a tractor like yours. But you can get them for tractors and there handy, he will pick up 20? long logs with 2-3? in the grapple at waist height for me to block up to be split. No bending over maybe hitting the ground with saw ect.

jm. · Nov 7, 2019

That needs to be your Christmas present to your self, got to get a grapple on that tractor

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

Jm,
I'll need forks. I'm planning on a loft in new pole barn. The loft will be 8 ft high so Hota can fit under, yet lift objects I want to store in loft. That's why I need forks.
I store objects in loft in old barn. Saves floor space.

I've learned how to use forks. I also can attach landscape rake to forks. Could attached SNOW blade to forks to push snow instead of using 3 pt.

A redneck knows how to get it done.
George.

Richard G. · Nov 7, 2019

Thanks very much.
Richard

Traditional Farmer · Nov 7, 2019

I don't know your definition of a 'log' but what I'd call a log you'll never get it off the ground much less get it very high, in that trailer you could probably only haul a couple.Plus with your new tractor if you get it very high and just a little off center you'll turn it over.

jm. · Nov 7, 2019

All the more reason to use that quick attach you have. Just get the hundred dollar flat face and mount your snow blade directly to the tractor, takes the bucket clear out of the picture. I know you and you are set in your ways , but listen to experience, once you get use to using that quick attach you will laugh at all that other stuff you are spending money and time on. Keep it up and I am just going to ship you a flat face, LOL adapter.

Bill in IL · Nov 7, 2019

With the bucket forks it will work better for brush as the brush is the width of the bucket that much further from the tractor. Now for lifting things you will be better served with fork attachment minus the bucket as the weight will be closer to the front of the tractor nor do you have the weight of the bucket. For your little bota i would stick with 42? forks though.

I have had my new loader since 2013 the bucket has been on maybe ten times but the forks are always on.

The stuff you put that little terramite through you would be well served with a small grapple bucket. Would be well worth the price of adding a remote.

Hobo,NC · Nov 7, 2019

If you are gonna move brush with it a brush guard would come in handy...

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.c...torder=asc&highlight=grapple&start=15

DoubleR · Nov 7, 2019

I bent the bucket on my bota 2150 using bolt on forks and on my 7800 bucket using them. Finally wised up and put a quick tach and brought a set of pallet forks for my B3000, That was seven years ago and that's the best money I've spent in a long time. I use my forks more than my buckets I have for it.

2510Paul · Nov 7, 2019

I love my grapple. Logs, brush, rocks, heavy broken concrete, etc.

Now my forks just do pallets and the occasional lift the forks work well for.

I have the JD quick tach.

Paul

Tom OConnor · Nov 7, 2019

Hi George,
Just wanted to let you know that I advertized the 3720 on Greg Petersons web sight. Gentleman called me in less than an hour after the add was up and asked to come over and see it and bought it. That tractor was sitting in the tool shed for several years and I just got around to advertising it and had four inquiries about it within two days. I would say that there is a market for those little cab tractors. Your new one looks great and I know you will have many years of enjoyment from it. Tom

Geo-TH,In · Nov 7, 2019

This is about as

Big as it gets .

More branches on tree than logs.

This pushed the lifting capacity. Never bent bucket.

This is landscape rake attached to forks.

I don't think I could do this with factory forks. I couldn't even lift the forks.

Changed my mind about buying forks.

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