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Forks for my Ford 4500?

HardmanGT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Messages
96
Location
Rutherfordton, NC
I am going to be moving some things around our property as we get ready to build our home. A set of forks would be really useful for moving logs, building material etc. The options I see are;
1. Pin-style (bar across the top of the bucket, welded brackets on the top of the bucket)
2. clamp on style (clamps to cutting edge)
3. dedicated pallet fork attachment (would require some fab for mounting)

Thoughts?
 

hammertime

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
123
Location
Rio Verde Arizona
Only ones I have ever run into are the pin ones. Very convenient, extremely easy to grab or drop. Those clamp on ones looked less heavy duty,
 

HardmanGT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Messages
96
Location
Rutherfordton, NC
Only ones I have ever run into are the pin ones. Very convenient, extremely easy to grab or drop. Those clamp on ones looked less heavy duty,

Agreed, the pin style looks like the best option. I wonder how visibility is with any of these that attach to a bucket
 

workshoprat92

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2014
Messages
817
Location
Bois D Arc Missouri
visibility honestly really suks. of course the 4500 visibility is not worth a **** to begin with. and then the pallet forks are impossible to see. some guys make the back really long so it sticks way below the bucket bottom and that way you can have a half ass chance of seeing something!!! thats on any hoe not just a 4500
 

Buickspec6231

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2013
Messages
77
Location
cny
I have clamp on forks. They work alright. Had to clearance them slightly for a good fit on the bucket. They are solid steel forks not a rectangular tube. I've been using them for exactly what you mentioned. With the logs, they tend to pivot at the clamp even with the spreader bar in place, and require the occasional readjusting. For pallets, I found that tipping them down far enough so that they are in view to assure I am lined up properly and bringing them right up to the pallet and then lowering the bucket while rotating back, gets me lined up 75% of the time, every time.(Anchorman reference) For the price and convenience, I am happy with them, but it does not make my tractor a forklift by any means. Only takes a minute to mount or remove them though. Tractor is a Massey Ferguson 50H.
 

NH575E

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2015
Messages
1,183
Location
North, FL
Occupation
Retired Machinist
You might could mount one of those cheap backup cameras on the bucket to make them more useful. I have one I tried one the rear of my little tractor though and found it to be not much use for hogging. I think the ONLY way you could use forks is to be able to see where you are sticking them. Otherwise you are going to damage something.
 

hammertime

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2014
Messages
123
Location
Rio Verde Arizona
If you're on a bouncy road those pin forks will bounce against the bucket as well. pre-mature unloading the crates of pumpkins i was carrying halfway from where i was supposed to unload taught me to respect the weight of the hoe behind me. wild pigs were happy that night with all the cracked pumpkins on the road
 

Cat420

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2004
Messages
527
Location
Pine Bush Ny
Occupation
Construction, small engine and machine shop work
How handy are you or a buddy with a welder? I only have about $150 into these. Not sure how big a Ford 4500 is, but I used 2x3 3/16" wall tubing with 1/4" flat brackets and it's way stronger than our tractor needs. Takes almost no time to swap out the bucket.
 

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HardmanGT

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Messages
96
Location
Rutherfordton, NC
How handy are you or a buddy with a welder? I only have about $150 into these. Not sure how big a Ford 4500 is, but I used 2x3 3/16" wall tubing with 1/4" flat brackets and it's way stronger than our tractor needs. Takes almost no time to swap out the bucket.

I have been leaning in this direction. My neighbor has a set of pin style bucket forks and the visibility is just not there. I have found pallet fork setups for skid steers etc for $400 with 4,000# rating. The loader is rated at 3,750# with a breakout force of 6,000#. I can also get a set with 6,000# capacity for a little bit more. Obviously I would need to do some fab work but it may just be worth it in the long run.
 
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