Front End Loader with Forks
- Thread starter dh1
- Start date
Mine isn't here so no photos but will try to explain briefly.
Welded 4 square 2 inch ID pockets into the back of the bucket at the bottom. They are roughly 4 inches long and they just barely extend through the back of the bucket. Made forks out of 2 x 2 x 1/4 square tubing as long as you want. I think mine extend roughly 40 inches beyond the front of the bucket. The forks slide into the pockets you place in the bucket. Welded a stop on top of the forks at a point that allows the fork to extend a couple of inches through the back of the bucket so you can place a bolt through the fork to keep it from falling out. Makes the forks very easy to install and remove. They are surprisingly strong. I have moved pallets of pavers and roofing materials with them. They are great for hauling limbs and brush. Even telephone poles. I would suggest you taper and the ends so they don't catch when inserting they in pallets or dig into the ground.
Welded 4 square 2 inch ID pockets into the back of the bucket at the bottom. They are roughly 4 inches long and they just barely extend through the back of the bucket. Made forks out of 2 x 2 x 1/4 square tubing as long as you want. I think mine extend roughly 40 inches beyond the front of the bucket. The forks slide into the pockets you place in the bucket. Welded a stop on top of the forks at a point that allows the fork to extend a couple of inches through the back of the bucket so you can place a bolt through the fork to keep it from falling out. Makes the forks very easy to install and remove. They are surprisingly strong. I have moved pallets of pavers and roofing materials with them. They are great for hauling limbs and brush. Even telephone poles. I would suggest you taper and the ends so they don't catch when inserting they in pallets or dig into the ground.
I have forks on my main working machine...in fact, I don't think I have had the bucket on it in nearly 2 years. I keep a few pallets around, and move everything with forks. They are so darn handy. I bought a couple pre-cut carriage bars from ebay and a set of (overkill) forks from craigslist. I welded angle to the carriage bars and ran holes through for my loader pins, added collar/bushings and done. I'm no fabricator, and this was a $200 project done in a very short period of time.
Nicely done...I have forks on my main working machine...in fact, I don't think I have had the bucket on it in nearly 2 years. I keep a few pallets around, and move everything with forks. They are so darn handy. I bought a couple pre-cut carriage bars from ebay and a set of (overkill) forks from craigslist. I welded angle to the carriage bars and ran holes through for my loader pins, added collar/bushings and done. I'm no fabricator, and this was a $200 project done in a very short period of time.
