FEL Forks

[tuffytractor]

Hey guys,

Got a new addition, to the tractor. FEL Forks for the job site. I had tried getting them through Scott, but things didn't work out, but in my search I found some I liked. Albeit more than I wanted to spend, I had to have them for assisting at the job site. They are rated for over 2000 lbs, anything I could locate from China seemed a bit cheesy and was rated at about 750 lbs. One thing I realize about my usage, I'll far exceed the capacity of a light duty fork. So I bit the bullet and had them fabricated. Had a bit of problems with the mount, although I specified a V shaped top mount, it came in too tight, had to take a grinder to it. Oh well, everything else about them I like. Stout, is the word that comes to mind. Here are some pictures ....


Useful for moving things around the site, I also used my trailer ramps to bridge a couple of trenches. With the self leveling of my 4 in 1 FEL, they are very easy to use. The forks are also easily adjustable side to side and lock into detentes if desired.

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Wow! Those are very nice! much better than what is available from China. You will be very happy with the extra dollars spent.

[GuglioLS]

Tim,

Those are some serious pallet forks. I remember your FEL has those huge 3" cylinders, so no doubt you would have exceeded the capacity of anything less than those custom made beauties. Your tractor is looking tough with them installed along with the gearmore BB. You must be pleased with how it's all working out for you, nice setup.

Larry

[3RRL]

Nice fork lift attachment Tim. I'll bet they were super pricey because I have been scrounging around for mine and haven't posted anything about them yet, so you beat me to it. But I I know how costly they are new, and especially to have them made like you did. I already bought used forks and carriages (2) for side shift. Bummer is all my machines are down so I can't do the modification necessary to fit my Kama. They are super heavy duty like yours. I wish I had them earlier so I could've used them for what you are doing with yours.
Rob-

[tuffytractor]

The forks were about $650, delivered. I could have gotten a higher capacity model for about $750 but these already exceed my FEL "rated capacity", so I just went with these. After figuring in the freight for some cheaper and lower capacity model, I thought these were a good value.

I would have like to be able to fabricate something, but time is really pushing me to make other choices. It seems that you, Ken and Larry, have perfected the ability to procure major steel at rock bottom prices. Every time I price steel, for any of my projects, it is very pricey. Then when I add my time, the best I can do is break even.... perhaps that won't be true when I have a bit more time to do some of the fabrication projects I would like.

What is the trick to locating steel cheap?

When I bought the steel for my property Outbuilding project, they told me re-bar had doubled in price over the last six months.

[quikduk]

Tim,

Those forks look beefy!

Re: steel, it depends on "what" type or size you need. I look for "rems" at the local yards and there are also scrap yards that have decent prices compared to "new" steel.

When I bought the steel for my upcoming driveway gate project, I priced it out at about $1500 but by the time I was done, it "only" cost around $1200. It certainly isn't cheap but at least there was "Some" savings.

Larry seems to get better prices than us here in California. It is probably the market demand here that drives the price up since we pay more for just about everything here in California.

Ken