*update* slip on tractor forks - light/med duty

[MinnesotaDave]

On my recent demo job I needed some forks for my tractor. Lots of heavy crap to load. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=288851

Needed them the next day so grabbed some scrap 1.5" x 1/4" pipe, cut some plates and turned on the MM210.

Made 3 tacks and ran outta wire!!

Already used up all my 7014 and good 7018 and only had the son's 6013 left from him practicing.

So these are built with 1/8" 6013 run at 130-135 amps AC on my Airco 300.

6013....the world will probably end right?

Pic 1 - the forks
pic 2 - 3 pass 6013 - not perfect but pretty normal weld for me
The top strap that bends over the bucket lip was welded on straight first, then heated and hammered over the lip. "Custom fit."
pic 3 - chain ring for the tail

More next post
Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

I only needed them to lift about 800 lbs, so I load checked them much higher.

I was chainsawing the walls into 5' x 8' up to 8' x 8' sections. The 8x8 water-logged sections I could not lift one end so I know they are over 600 lbs.

When the SA200 was up I measured about 1" flex over the length of the forks.

Pic 1 - load check
Pic 2 - load check


Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

So that was the deal in a nutshell. Needed them, made em and used em I will build real ones with rectangle tubing next time I have some extra stuff in.

Anyone uncomfortable I used a good SA200 for a load check? LOL

Feel free to comment - I'll start:
"That will never hold"
"6013 will not work"
"Your welds need work"

Just kidding around - as others have said, let the flaming begin

Dave J.

[weldermike]

Sweet Dave, came out nice man! I wouldn't go driving around with the SA200 on there which i'm sure you know, but for purpose cool bro!

[MinnesotaDave]

Couple extra pics

pic 1: closeup of the bucket lip
pic 2: chain "adjuster" from scrap and left over parts

Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

Sweet Dave, came out nice man! I wouldn't go driving around with the SA200 on there which i'm sure you know, but for purpose cool bro!

Thanks Mike

Ya, not going to drive around with the SA200 on those forks! :laughing:

I'll have to remember Light/Med duty as intended.

Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

Thanks tackit - I try to do a good job, even when it's made from scrap

Dave J.

[camjeep3]

off topic. but how does the allis do with a load in the bucket? I was always curious what a tricycle tractor would handle like with a loader. and nice tractor by the way. my friend had a 53(?) wd 45

[MinnesotaDave]

camjeep3 - With a full bucket of dirt, and a low bucket it's fine. Or stationary dumping the dirt - no problem.

Any loads up high are SPOOKY. Lots of uncomfortable sway going on. Owned it 18 years now and it never gets less of a pucker factor with the bucket up high.

Next reasonable wide front for sale I see, I'm buying

It is a great yard tractor for my needs - I'm not a farmer - it will drive around the yard with a SA250 hanging on the hook (very carefully)

Dave J.

[camjeep3]

very cool. there was a wide front end for sale around here a while back. My friend was going to put it on his but ended up trading for a rare ford.

[Ruark]

Good creativity with that chain adjuster mechanism! I'd probably do it the easy way and just use a couple of load binders. I'm starting to draw plans in my head already...

[MinnesotaDave]

Thanks
I needed my binders for the chaining of the load or I probably would have too

Check out this post for a really nice set of slip on forks (post #9)
http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=tractor+forks

Those are the ones I'll likely copy when I make "real" ones for my tractor.

Dave J.

[MinnesotaDave]

*update*
I have bent them and straightened them a few times, and the dozer mangled one immediately...

None of the 6013 welds ever cracked, but the forks are about done for now...

[farmersammm]

Not to be ugly about it, but I'd never get near those with a ten foot pole. Dangerous stuff IMHO. Just don't stand under the damn things

[farmersammm]

Beautiful welds BTW

[MinnesotaDave]

Not to be ugly about it, but I'd never get near those with a ten foot pole. Dangerous stuff IMHO. Just don't stand under the damn things

Heck fire, I thought you would understand "temporary" items that you need right now - LOL

...but hell no, I didn't get under them

Beautiful welds BTW

Thanks