Can pallet forks be a grapple alternative?
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- Neil brings down a dead tree and puts his compact pallet forks to the test. Can he move the downed tree with the same efficiency as what he could do when he had a grapple?
Timecode
0:00 Intro
1:13 Today's Task
3:12 Stability
4:55 Capacity
5:41 Risk of Rolling
6:17 Grapple Comparison
6:49 Moving the Big Stuff
8:27 Can the Fork Replace the Grapple?
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Pallet forks are the number one handiest attachment for loaders.
I used to run a set of 3pt hitch mounted DIY pallet forks on the back of my Ford 860. They worked very well for large logs. I save the loader for smaller branches. Carrying large loads on the rear tires was much more stable than out on the articulating front tires.
Pallet forks forces you to balance the load which sides in stability for the tractor. If you grab with a grapple, you can have a heavy end, and that can cause a tipped tractor.
This makes so much sense, I wish I could like more than once.
100% accurate, sir.
Thats what I thought but thats the whole operator thing he went into also. If it feels wrong when you pick it reset at try again. I don't doubt you know that just saying.
Coming from an age of doing everything with a bucket, chain and maybe log tongs, forks are a God send. Someday I'll try a grapple and wonder how I got along without them.
I use my pallet forks ALL the time like this. Works great, no hoses to snag, nothing to break. Grapples are expensive. I'm cheap.
Pallet forks are very handy and quick coupler skid steers are a huge improvement over pinned buckets. I would add a word of caution if you are moving a heavy load of logs on downhill slopes. It can get really crazy really fast without proper rear ballast. Even with tire ballast or a rear implement slow down and use 4-wheel drive.
Hey Neil! That looks like a typical job here at Catbird Hill! Everything you said was absolutely true. I can't be happier with the Virnig grapple that I purchased from you with the L2501. By the way, I heard you huffing and puffing quite a bit! If you need to get in better shape, you know where I live, and feel free to come over and help me anytime, lol! 🤣👍
Having used both I will no longer use forks for logs. I once put 130+ trees through a wood processor and it was a pain and time consuming. The logs had to balanced just right and the forks would sometimes be in the way of the legs when loading the processor. Then if you’re talking about moving through the woods, logs were always sliding off the forks.
Since getting my grapple I couldn’t be happier. I use my forks a lot, but not for logs anymore. I have also found I use my grapple for a lot more than I ever thought I would. It’s been useful for more than just logs and brush.
Also, for those who haven’t seen, forks can be very dangerous in transporting logs. One gentleman had one land on his lap and was lucky to escape with only minor injuries.
Thanks for the video it was just what i needed to decide about getting pallet forks.
I have a pair of clamp-on forks for my L2900. For a job like yours I also clamp a sheet of plywood on the forks, then chainsaw the tree into manageable sizes, and load up the bucket.
We use forks all the time for picking up logs, branches, sometimes even whole trees. If you can get the forks right under the center of gravity yeah it works. I wish we had a grapple though. It would make everything so much easier just being able to go up to a pile of brush and move it, instead of being concerned with how well it will be balanced.
The real challenge comes with handling branches with pallet forks. If any of the branches get tangled up in anything, it’s going to pull your whole load off the forks. And then everything falls into a jumbled pile, and it’s just a mess. You have to restock all the branches on the forks.
Used my forks for a little over a year now and as you state, they do work if your smart about it, broke down and just went the grapple route and what a gamechanger. There are cheaper grapples out there and doing a diverter vs true third function saves big $$ too.
I always enjoy these videos, I most always learn something that I did not know was available to put on my tractor. Thank You
Good video Neil. My L3830HST has had Kubota pallet forks since new in 2006. I couldn’t live without them when dealing with firewood. I’m sure a grapple would be better but I’ve learned to balance loads and do lots of operations with the forks. I put my firewood in 40”x48” industrial wire baskets. They are easy to move with pallet forks from my splitting are up to the house or storage area. Keep up the good work !
I have moved literal tons of log sections with nothing more than pallet forks on a skidsteer. I can tell you for a fact you get much better at planning routes through the trees quickly. Had some crazy loads on the forks before, but when it is what you have it is what you use. Neil is totally right the hardest part is making sure you have the best balance on the forks at all times.
Neil you should slide the forks out all the way, it will make your load more stable. Less of the rocking it works especially with uneven ground it’s nice to see you have done that.
Great video. Pallet forks are on my list of implements to buy.
Nice job, Neil. Pallet forks *can* be better than a grapple in that they force you to carefully balance your load. As many know, I bent my FEL by overloading it with the grapple. Saying that, I LOVE my grapple and just ordered a set of Land Pride pallet forks. 👍
Great Video Neil. Pallet forks are certainly a universal tool and if I didn't have my Artillian grapple id be using them non stop. Those were some pretty massive logs you were moving there at the end, Looked like fun!
Like to see a video on bushhogging that bamboo down and then again when it grows back up
Yeah, I was hoping somebody else would comment on it. Not like a herd of pandas will come by anytime soon.
"I give you food." hahaha
I've not gotten the 3rd function and grapple yet, but as you said you can move a lot with forks. I cut the rounds to the width of the widest my forks go, plus a little bit. Then scoop them up and go, with a 3pt crane and log tongs to pull another long log behind me. It's the little stuff that gets annoying for sure, doesn't do well on forks. But I'd not lift heavy stuff with a grapple, as I'd be nervous about bending or off balancing them.
So good to see you actually doing physical work...🤣... I enjoy your videos Thanks for putting these out!
Not driving the bus here..but a landscape rake will get a lot of that small clean up in bucket pile
Me: Sees video title: “oh maybe I can save some money on my tractor purchase and skip the grapple”
10:00 “nope definitely investing in a grapple”
Absolutely right you can. And I went one step further. I bent the rack slightly on my first pair so I bought a new set and if necessary I put all four forks on one plate for smaller stuff. I run these on an MX5200. To me that works even better than my grapple bucket. Yes I have a grapple bucket also and I rarely bother with it because the forks work better.
last year’s derecho clean up used case 1816 with forks and bucket. spent a lot of time on 2 wheels. heavy loads have to push against another log to curl back. stacked and packed brush high as possible for the city to pick up curbside. the cleanup continues, a year later
It can be and definitely much cheaper option and while I have used my pallet forks for about a year now doing this type of work with them, I just recently broke down and bought a grapple and installed a diverter valve......no comparison and what a game changer! Thanks for the great vids though Neil.
I use clamp-on pallet forks for my loader (NH 16LA loader) and a box plow on the 3-point for ballast. Works great for tree work and the forks were only $170.
Although the "rake" at the end is helpful, might I suggest an LR1672 to speed things up? An LR1672 also won't ask you to help. Great video!
Need a new Kubota feature whenever the tractor strains it will play Neil's voice saying "What are you doing?!". 🙂
Ive got everything set up on pellets and stillages , the forks are an awesome tool
Forks are what I use. Gets those logs straight to the mill easily. Nice job.
You bailed on the pallet forks to early! Toss smaller ones across the forks and build a pile up on the resulting"pallet".
@5:25 trying to pick up that one that look like a y was a bit funky, probably would have been nice to have a little chainsaw handy to kind of shorten up some of the pieces, plus there's no rule about getting off the tractor for a few minutes and throw a few logs on the forks to save you a trip. Cool video!
I was thinking the exact same thing. Being less efficient by wasting time trying to be more efficient. Some of those logs I'd have cut up and rolled on there by hand. And if necessary, throw a chain around it if you're worried about the load dropping or shifting.
you can also buy the upper grapple attachment for pallet forks...neighbor logs and has a single grapple arm on his forks
Add in cost of 3rd function kit to the equation. How often do you need to move logs/ tree debris ? I have 70 + acres of heavily wooded land with trails that get blocked by downed trees. In my case the 3rd function with grapple makes sense. Forks would not work well when carrying trees several hundred yards on hilly terrain.
Just run a strap or chain around the load and loader frame, problem solved.
I use my forks constantly for firewood, they make an attachment for the forks that do "grapple". I would LOVE to try that out.
Forks are nice when exceeding weight limit. Forks = lighter grapple. Just takes more time
Hi Neil We use pallet forks for logs or a muck fork works as well the extra tines hold more small bits Nice Video Thanks again
i have used a long pallet and a ratchet strap to haul brush and small stuff with pallet forks
I used my pallet I used my pallet forks all day yesterday I love them
My L2501 nor my recent 3902 wouldn’t pick up that large log you had on yours! Granted I had a 525 and now 526 loader.
Both were grossly under their desired hydraulic pressure! (Checked with a gauge) especially my 3902! It was just over 2000psi and spec is 2349.
I set it too 2400 psi. What a major difference! I seen your videos on guys changing their hydraulics pressures and the so called minimal difference it makes bumping pressures!
I now need ballast to pick up heavier objects were as before the tractor just wouldn’t pick heavy things! Also here of people saying ya got to be careful about too much pressure can hurt your hydraulics! Blow seals and lines etc….come on….The lines them selves say 3000 psi …..I’m well under that!
Great video tho….I myself started out with old tractors and worked on them more than used them…..didn’t get a lot of work done that way so but the bullet and bought new! Never looked back!
Love my pallet forks!
Heck yeah they can. Also use 1 fork to trench cable runs and dig little holes when needed.
I have only recently picked up pallet forks, i got by moving FAR larger logs than i expected with my bx2680 with a chain on a hitch on the back
I have found by attaching a sheet of plywood to the forks you can gather the small stuff into a pile and scoop up a lot in one shot.
Yep.
I have both , but for handling trees I like the grapple . Use a pipe grapple to move logs
A couple of ratchet straps would have helped with stability at little cost and time.
Don't they make a add on hydrolic finger for pallet forks to make even more like a grapple
Yes, but most are kind of hacks.
Fortunately, I have both a grapple and a set of pallet forks, and those are the two implements that I get the most use from. Granted, a box blade, land plane, and landscape rake are very handy, I don't get near the use of those that I do with the grapple and pallet forks.
I have been using forks on my Bota for over 14 years to carry logs and brush. As long as you balance the load, it's all good.
I have both grapple and forks and the bucket. My grapple is on %99 of the time. Weather im mowing moving trees everything the grapple is worth double its weight in gold.
You’re giving me a lot to think about for the future…
At the risk of repeating myself on this channels comments, I just use a chain. You can't roll the tractor, the log doesn't fall off, and you don't hurt your loader. You do mark your grass, but that's healed in a month. Also, a good chain is $150
Oh, and I do really enjoy your videos! (And I know you gotta sell stuff) :)
Nice looking land
I just have a BX2680, I can say the loader can lift enough to make the tractor unstable, so it'll lift more than plenty considering the size and weight of the tractor. I do not have fluid filled tires or wheel weights...I just had my box blade on the back, filled the bucket up with sand/gravel, more sand than rock, and dirt, the quarry calls it reject sand, but its $20 a load if I haul it myself. With that weight in the loader bucket, and just the box blade on the back I was feeling the tractor's back end bouncing quite a bit. Slowing down helps a lot, and keeping the loader as low as possible as well. These tractors can do more than people think they can, and if I had a heavier implement, or wheel weights or fluid filled tires it would have made a difference too...I don't want the additional weight of the fluid in the tires or the wheel weights as I have to drive across my lawn no matter where I go on the property so the lighter the better. Next time I think I'll make sure I have the roto-tiller on for more counter weight LOL.
Just bought a 3310 love it, Neil where did you get your Chain Saw Scabbard
www.messicks.com/part/sh001cct/sawhaul-universal-chainsaw-carrier-kit-for-tr
Yeah, forks won't work on small dead stuff but they work wonders on small live branch piles in my experience.
I want a grapple but can't justify it. Number 2 front attachment for the front (they should come with them) is forks. Mine are on my tractor as much as my bucket is and I never leave home without both of them almost always without regret.
I use my forks for alot of things. I tend to have the forks on more than my bucket. I've moved ALOT of logs and brush with them, it gets challenging sometimes grabbing stuff. I wish I had a grapple but I make do with the forks.
Think about hay forks also. I had family out to help clear about a half acre area that had grown up in small trees and we ended up with a brush pile the size of a small house. I have a hay fork that looks just like your pallet forks only the forks are narrow and pointy. With that I was able to move that whole brush pile in 5 "scoops". Then I just used the bucket and loaded the small stuff so I could go dump it on the same pile - in a location I can burn it someday. I move big hay bales more often than pallets and I can still move pallets with my hay forks. Triple duty attachment?
What size and brand flail mower do you have?
Moving logs with forks isn’t bad. But they just don’t work for brush. At least I’ve never had much luck
There are always going to be guys who expect to unload a full pallet of bricks with a BX sized machine...
"Well they fit on the forks!"
Emerald Ash Borer strikes Neal's house!! I like to carry those big logs on my 3 point carryall. I back under, then strap them on. Smaller rounds in the bucket for counterweight.
What is that basket and light set up on your rops? That looks like a really good set up
Artillian accessories.
I use my palletforks wood cutting all the time there great on my b 2650
I don't know Neil, but looks like maybe you ought to get a Grand L series like the 3560! Lol
Seriously though you do have to use caution on the pallet forks which of course you were exercising do care. I might suggest that you can actually add a grapple or two two pallet works with precision manufacturings at a grapple concept. They came up with a years ago and it's pretty easy to attach to make your pallet works be able to do more as well as folks with a pin on bucket you can actually add those add a grapples to them as well. Also, just like I think most of your product line precision manufacturing makes theirs in the USA and appear to be quite good on your quality. I may go that route when I get the new tractor and the next year or two.
We do work with Precision mfg. Good company.
Ya I’ve been using my forks like this for years. I couldn’t load logs on/off my sawmill without them.
I have gotten really good at piling branches from felled trees in 8-10’ wide, 5’ tall piles, and scooping them up with forks without leaving the slightest divot in the grass. I then turned right around on multiple occasions to unload shipments from trucks delivering palletized cabinets, appliances, and even my stump grinder, when the driver didn’t want to back his semi down my driveway.
Once you have a good grapple you will not want to use forks and if you can use them right, might prefer the grapple to most other attachments
I totally agree. I use my forks for a lot of things but they’ll never be used for logs again.
Landscape rake for the small sticks will put them in a nice pile.
Keep a piece of split firewood on tractor to set under end of large log for centering it.
All in all I have pallet forks on my tractor atleast 80% of the time. One day, I'll get me me a grapple. The are super nice to have Neal.
Put your bucket back on for small branches, push them in a pile to brush, or pick up what you can for starting fires
Same size loader I was easily able to move 1800# transported on level ground about a foot off the ground
You've convinced me that my grapple is far superior to forks
Forks don’t hold a candle to what a grapple can do with logs and brush.
Use a ratchet strap or chain wrap it around the logs and loader frame and you can eliminate most of the problems you are talking about, only down side is you have to take the time to fit and remove said strap
That HST whine is the worst thing ever, just got a B2401 and love it. I know the loader work is easier with HST but I just can’t get use to that whine.
Are you paying us? NO, I give you food, perfect answer.
I do a lot of firewood each year. Did saw logs for years also. All I have ever used is pallet forks. My preference is 36” long forks. For brush I have a second set of forks I put on. Having 4 forks on makes a world Of difference. I’ve pondered a rock grapple but I’m staying with forks. It’s only as good as the operator.
Could you please do a loader tractor vs wheel loader? Eg a 100 hp farming tractor vs a compact wheeloader. In the future I’m interested in purchasing a loader but I’m not sure wether a farm tractor or wheeloader is better for me.
Thanks 😊
Hi! You mentioned wheel spacers and the Kubota has OEM spacers. I was just wondering if the Bora spacers are OK to use? Is there any brand which you would recommend avoiding for use on a Kubota tractor
Bora spacers are just as expensive as the OEM ones. Not aware of ones to avoid.
Nice bamboo
"I give you food" something I've said to my kids many times.
I've used pallet forks for years, best tool for a tractor! It's like a swiss-knife!
I'm curious as to your opinion of pallet forks that clamp to the bucket. It seems to me a bad idea as it would probably bend the lip of the bucket. Your thoughts?
Yea, really not a great idea.
I'm wanting to add a rear remote for a top link. What kind of valve. (Detent, spring return, etc.) Do y'all recommend? It's a 25 hp. Tractor. Thankyou.
I have a hydraulic top link on my BX. My opinion, you’ll want a spring return so that it blocks center after you get it into the position you want.
I use my forks several times a week. Best attachment by far.
I have a LX2601, I like the forks better than Land Pride grapple for more then 1 log at a time.
Forks with a quick attach grapple would be better, like JD or HLA or Contec (spelling?)
I move a lot of logs with skid steer pallet forks.
I’ve always just used the bucket. I just cut them small enough to fit in it and thrown it into the bucket
Hey Neil! I just bought a brand new MX5400DT. It has a la1055 loader on it but I’ve noticed Kubota says the LA1065 loader is for the Mx series. Is this a issue I should be concerned about?
Really?! LA1055 is for the L-60 tractor. I'd be surprised if it fits.
Yes the la1055 is mounted and functional. I’m not sure what the difference is concerning the mounting points but it is on the MX5400DT. I’m supposed to pick the tractor up today and I’ll see what they say.
Chain or cinch strap would benefit with this.
Hey Neil, everything you said is true and you have done a great video of things I have been doing here since I got my tractor. I would have loved a grapple but couldn't afford it so I got the next best thing, Forks and have loved them too. Probably the best investment I made for the tractor. We use them all the time. I find that I can get bigger piles of brush with the forks than I could with a grapple and since they are forks I'm forced to balance my pile better for travel, who wants to end up with a pile of brush that fell off in the middle of your driveway. 😄 Anyway forks are a great option and I think I like them better than a grapple for what I do a d ya know what!? I found i can even use them for... pallets! 😲 I mean, who knew right?! Can't use a grapple for pallets, so, there's that.
Sometimes, I grapple at ways to carry stuff on my pallet forks…
Nice video on pallet forks, poor man’s (or woman’s) economy picker upper!
what lights and mounts do you have on the roll over frame?
Artillian
www.messicks.com/part/1rmlk/artillian-work-lights
If you get 2 additional forks and have 4 on there, brush will not fall in between them.
Put a ratchet strap on to keep the logs secure yea that means getting off the seat but it will keep stuff from falling off
Forks are awesome and affordable however grapples can do alot more with loose brush piles and off center uneven loads, forks 500 3rd function 900 and grapple 2100 depends on how much you need a grapple forks are honestly a pretty good compromise for occasional work
👍
Is there an air seat option for my L4701?
Sadly, no.
No attachment to pick up sticks? Thats what kids are for.
But can you mount them on the quick attach?
@@JCWren yup duct tape all kidding aside a land scape rake would get it done or at least most of it
I like to use the pallet forks to drop a pallet to collect all the small stuff.