SeaMac
Senior Member
Greetings HEF Members,
I've gotta question and a suggestion regarding hydraulically adjustable forks. First the question, anyone here use them? Second, the suggestion, since the whole concept of hydraulic forks is to keep the Operator -US- from having to dismount and manually -sometimes not so easy either- adjust them for the load to be "forked" wouldn't it be a grand idea if we didn't have to first connect the hoses?
Yeah I know, seems like a far-fetched idea doesn't it? Well, Liebherr has a system for excavators called LIKUFIX which not only affords easy attachment swaps but also connects the hydraulics without Operator intervention. So, could someone please tell me why this has yet to be developed for Wheel Loaders? Seriously, don't give me some technical excuse about dirt and grime clogging the system mating plate, as if to imply that a Wheel Loader's "business end" works in a more inhospitable environment than an Excavators arm/stick and bucket, c'mon! Even if an Operator has to dismount a few times to check the mating plate for gunk and grime that's a whole lot simpler and less manually intensive than constantly adjusting the forks. Besides, most "pro" Operators usually keep simple cleaning products in the cab for windows, mirrors etc, I can't see it being much of an inconvenience to have on hand some degreaser and a few shops rags as well.
If you work in Underground Utilities as I do then you are aware how many times a day we have to dismount and adjust our forks. I have used the most prevalent forks in the industry, those which will lock in place -preferred and suck less- and those that don't -which suck more- if you use those that lock it can be a real PITA to adjust once grease and gunk clog up the locking rail. If you use those that don't and keep 'em greased so you don't have to drop a knut to adjust them they will change position with the wind which will have you climbing down to re-adjust them constantly, which sucks EVEN more.
I hope those of you here if any from CAT, Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, JRB, WB, Pemberton etc. read AND hear what I am suggesting. I can't see it being much of an engineering leap to design some sort of plate as Liebherr has done and afix it to the quick coupler which in turn kills two birds with one stone. There are other attachments for a Wheel Loader that would benefit from such a system such as hydraulic jib booms and brooms to name a few. Loader Operators on Pipe Crews are arguably the hardest working and busiest of the bunch and climbing up and down the ladders to dismount is not something that's easy on the ole' bod in the long run. There you have it, my two cents on a matter that is long overdue for engineering attention and intervention.
I've gotta question and a suggestion regarding hydraulically adjustable forks. First the question, anyone here use them? Second, the suggestion, since the whole concept of hydraulic forks is to keep the Operator -US- from having to dismount and manually -sometimes not so easy either- adjust them for the load to be "forked" wouldn't it be a grand idea if we didn't have to first connect the hoses?
Yeah I know, seems like a far-fetched idea doesn't it? Well, Liebherr has a system for excavators called LIKUFIX which not only affords easy attachment swaps but also connects the hydraulics without Operator intervention. So, could someone please tell me why this has yet to be developed for Wheel Loaders? Seriously, don't give me some technical excuse about dirt and grime clogging the system mating plate, as if to imply that a Wheel Loader's "business end" works in a more inhospitable environment than an Excavators arm/stick and bucket, c'mon! Even if an Operator has to dismount a few times to check the mating plate for gunk and grime that's a whole lot simpler and less manually intensive than constantly adjusting the forks. Besides, most "pro" Operators usually keep simple cleaning products in the cab for windows, mirrors etc, I can't see it being much of an inconvenience to have on hand some degreaser and a few shops rags as well.
If you work in Underground Utilities as I do then you are aware how many times a day we have to dismount and adjust our forks. I have used the most prevalent forks in the industry, those which will lock in place -preferred and suck less- and those that don't -which suck more- if you use those that lock it can be a real PITA to adjust once grease and gunk clog up the locking rail. If you use those that don't and keep 'em greased so you don't have to drop a knut to adjust them they will change position with the wind which will have you climbing down to re-adjust them constantly, which sucks EVEN more.
I hope those of you here if any from CAT, Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, JRB, WB, Pemberton etc. read AND hear what I am suggesting. I can't see it being much of an engineering leap to design some sort of plate as Liebherr has done and afix it to the quick coupler which in turn kills two birds with one stone. There are other attachments for a Wheel Loader that would benefit from such a system such as hydraulic jib booms and brooms to name a few. Loader Operators on Pipe Crews are arguably the hardest working and busiest of the bunch and climbing up and down the ladders to dismount is not something that's easy on the ole' bod in the long run. There you have it, my two cents on a matter that is long overdue for engineering attention and intervention.
Last edited:
