The way your tractor forks attach will be a major factor in how much use you get from them over time. The faster and easier they are to attach, the more likely you will be to put them on or switch out your pallet forks to hay bale spears or a debris fork.

Most tractors do not come with a universal quick attach system that allows an operator to quickly change the bucket into tractor forks. Quick attach tractor forks can be mounted on-demand to make moving loads fast and easy. The clamps attach to the front edge of the bucket. The bucket forks are then mounted into the clamps in just a few minutes.

Quick attach clamp on bucket forks should have a "c-clamp pad" design. Look for the largest c-clamp pad you can find. The pad is on the bottom or the base of a handle that screws down onto the top of your bucket. A large pad will make a more secure fit and will not cause damage to your bucket. Some brands of clamp-on tractor forks either do not come with a pad or have a pad that is either too small or is non-swiveling which will not create a secure fit and in some cases can actually damage the bucket.

Clamp with T handle and large pad - a good design

Damage caused by missing swivel pad

A well made clamp-on tractor fork attachment will come with a sliding T handle or other type of handle that allows you to securely tighten the clamp to the bucket. The clamp should also allow you to get the tractor forks close to the sides of the bucket. Some clamp-on tractor fork designs use a welded-on handle which will not permit you to securely tighten the clamp or move it out to the sides of the bucket.

Old style handle: no sliding T handle or swivel pad to prevent damage to the bucket fork = a poor design.

Bar stop wedges on top of the bucket edge

2x4 back stop slot

Top reinforcement bar

Debris Fork

Bale Spear for Round Hay Bales

Click here for information on square and round bale hay feeders.

Pallet Forks

Ultra Fork