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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 👍
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.
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.
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! 🤣👍
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.
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.
"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.
@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.
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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'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?
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 😊
@@kdegraa He also had the new 14 tires on that tractor until Tim at TTWT one of them for his new Kubota. I wonder when Neil's going to get a new set of those! Lol I've heard they're hard to get right now due to supply chain issues.