Go BottomUsing 4200 4300 as forklift
 | Chris Deaton
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2000-02-29 13280
I am looking to purchase a JD 4200 or 4300 4WD HST and would like to know if anyone has seen or heard of a forklift-type attachment. I would assume this would be coupled with some type of loader. Of course, this is not the primary use of the tractor but it would/could get considerable use moving pallets on/off pallet racks, etc. Would love to hear from someone with experience using the tractor in this manner. Being new to tractors, would also be interested to hear thoughts on the 4200/4300 or maybe even a 4400 being used in this manner. If a loader is needed, is there one better than another that will make for simpler, more advantageous use in the forklift capacity (for example: better hydraulics, easier to use, quicker, more simple to hook up)?
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 | Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada 
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2000-03-01 13292
Chris, as a landscaper we use a tractor for a forklift constantly to unload supplies delivered to job sites, etc. A loader with forks does work well, but is less than ideal, because of the distance the forks end up from the front wheels you need considerable counter-balance to keep it stable, and the turning circle is much larger because of the extra length. What we prefer (and use) is a 3pth forklift implement, it is basically the business end of a forklift with 3pth mount. Being very near the rear wheels it will lift as much as the 3pth can handle (most 3pth weight ratings are 24" behind the pins, or center of pallet). Besides, they are almost the same cost as what a loader quick-attach adapter and forks costs. If I remeber correctly, they were about $2,000 Canadian ($1,300 US) each. I think you can find them at Eastern Farm (www.easternfarmmachinery.com). Best of luck. ....
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| Mike S.
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2000-03-01 13299
Chris--while I do not have nearly Murf's experience since he uses forks for a living, I do have a set of JD forks that are used in place of the bucket on my 430 loader (JD 4400 HST tractor). For occasional use, they work great, but as Murf indicated, they are so far out in front of the tractor that it takes considerable ballast on the 3-point to safely balance the tractor front-to-back. Also reiterating what Murf indicated about turning radius, even though the 4200-4400 tractors have a tight turning radius, the added length with the forks on the end of the loader (in place of the bucket) do add significantly to the turning radius. However, if you, like I, don't make your living with the tractor and just need the forks for periodically saving you back, then the JD forks are great. It takes only two minutes to pull the two pins on the bucket and back out of it and then drive into the fork, add the two pins and you're in business. The price I paid for the JD fork attachment for the 430 loader was $858. IF you don't need to lift anything very high, then a less expensive alternative would be 3-point mounted forks that have no hydraulics for extra lift, like those of a real front-end loader. Most implement dealers will have catalogs with several brands of rear 3-point mounted forks such as those made by Manufacturer's Diversified Services (MDS) in New Holland, PA in which their economy forks will lift 1200 pounds and cost about $225, or their standard duty forks which will lift 1500 pounds and cost about $300, or their adjustable tine forks which cost about $500. However, the total lift height of these will only be about 20 inches, so they cannot be used to load trailers, but would work great to just move pallets of materials from one spot to another or use them as a carryall. ....
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| Chris Deaton
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2000-03-01 13333
Mike/Murf: Thanks for the input. My JD dealer also mentioned the counterbalancing issue and is suggesting a ballast box. With the experience you have had, what kind of weight should I expect to use with the box? I will be lifting heavy pallets (500 to 650 pounds) and will be loading/unloading trucks/trailers, etc. Is the JD ballast box the best thing here or have you seen other better solutions? Also, as I looked at the specs today at the dealer, it seems that the 4300 is the better choice over the 4200 due to the added weight if nothing else. It does not appear the 4200 with a 420 loader will give the lift capacity I need. One more thing....with the 4400 and 430 loader, the lift height is rated around 101 inches. Is this realistic or a stretch for practical application? I will have lots of guys running this thing and I don't want to see someone hurt. Thanks for the input. ....
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| Mike S.
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2000-03-01 13335
Chris--I heartily recommend the 4300 over the 4200 for size and power considerations. The ballast box is the quickest way to satisfy your needs for rear ballast. Another method that has been mentioned on this forum (and on another tractor Web site that appears to have closed) is to create a plywood form with the appropriate steel pieces inside which protrude out the sides and out the top and fill it with cement creating a ballast that could easily weigh 800 pounds and connect to the 3-point. You would want at least as much ballast on the rear as the weight you plan to lift in the front, for stability. The lift height you mentioned is realistic. IF you purchase the 430 loader, I recommend that you spend another $100 for the heavy duty bucket. There has been a thread on this tractor forum that dealt with add-on forks for buckets including some home-brew jobs--if interested, use the search engine to see if their postings are still archived. Good luck to you ....
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| Murf
Join Date: Dec 1999 Posts: 7249 Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
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2000-03-02 13343
Chris, don't dismiss the rear-mounted forklift implement too quickly. I also have forks for the loaders on our machines, particulary for planting trees the added reach is fantastic, for trucks, etc., I'm not sure reach matters. Most of our fleet is 40hp class 4wd's, even these are rather unsteady with much weight up high, however the rear lift is rock solid while unloading landscape boulders, some of which weigh 2500# each. Also, with a 3pth mounted item the engine, etc, is your counter-balance, and if you have a loader it is even better....best of luck. ....
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| turfman
Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 97 midwest
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2000-03-02 13361
Chris,
I also have a 4400 with the pallet forks. There are some real limits when you use this setup. The most it will lift is 1250#s plus a pallet. at this weight the tractor is very unstable even when a lot of rear ballast is used. if you have to lift very high with much weight forget about it. 4 feet tops at 1250#s.
I have used this setup extensively and work very slowly and very delibratly even on level ground. just my 2 cents. ....
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| Chris Deaton
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2000-03-02 13376
Thanks for the input guys. I will definitely keep the advice in mind when purchasing! ....
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| charlie
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2000-03-03 13410
we've used a ford 601 with a loader and forks for years to handle sod pallets and have never had a problem.most of our pallets usally run around 800 to 1100 pounds.our skid steer works well with the olny problem being reach.loading in a pickup is easier with the tractor becuse you don't have to push the first pallet with the second one to get them both in the bed.the rear tires are filled with fluid and we have 2/3rd's of a 55 gallon drum of concrete on the 3 point for wieght.god luck. ....
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