I am considering picking up a rear mounted pallet fork implement for my Kioti (because one can never have enough tractor implements). I have a set of front mounted pallet forks; however, those do no good once the front mounted snowblower is attached for the winter. I was using the FEL with bucket, grapple, and forks up until the morning of our first substantial snowfall (around eight inches) and got caught without the blower. No sweat, I just used the scraper blade and bucket to clear the snow. I have since dropped the FEL in preparation to mount the snowblower subframe but would still like the capability to move pallet bins of firewood as I will hopefully continue to split firewood during the winter. Looking for any feedback from those who have/have used the three-point hitch rear mounted pallet forks as I have never used that particular setup before. I believe I have seen photos of some on here before however I cannot remember what posts they were under. Note: I do not yet have a hydraulic top link. (Below: Not my picture or tractor but gets the idea across.)
I have a set, but I rarely use them. I bought them from Agri-Supply. The front forks can easily be tilted forward or backyard and lift much higher. The rear forks are pretty inexpensive as implements go, so I wouldn't hesitate to get them if I were you. Like you said if a front implement is on they are nice. They are also handy if you have a machine with no loader. When I do use mine its usually on my Ford 1700.
I have not used one, but have long considered it for moving more firewood at once than the loader can (usually 2x lift capacity). We see a lot of pictures here of large logs being lifted and moved by small tractors- that weigh really belongs on the rear for longevity and safety. My thought was a 2-row stack of splits, wider than the picture above, keeping the weight closer to the axels. Maybe with a plywood header on the forks so you could really tip the load toward the tractor while moving around.
I normally have a couple pallet bins built for uglies however this year I started building more bins for splits I keep separate from my general stacks (i.e., softwoods and oak). I'm also rearranging where I have some of my long-term stacks so I'm using pallet bins as temporary storage until I get those long-term stacks built next year. I like the idea of the rear mounted forks however maybe I'll just build the pallet bins where they will remain for the winter and just bring the splits to the bins (instead of doing everything where I split and then moving the full bins afterwards). Of course, if this winter continues to be lame, I may just put the FEL back on the tractor.
I have front and rear pallet forks. Front are adjustable, rear is home made fixed width. Two biggest issues I have are it’s really difficult to get a perfect alignment with rear forks with a geared tractor and a you really need a hydraulic top link. I primarily use the rear fork for heavy lifting and carrying ballast for FIL work. Also will carry my green oak loaded pallets from splitting area to storage, once dry and ready to burn usually use FIL to carry to house.
