Backhoe Forklift! || How to Make Pallet Fork Attachment For Backhoe w/ Quick Attach Forks || DIY

Turn your backhoe into a telehandler! Using a set of quick attach pallet forks, I attempt to adapt them to work with the rear backhoe bucket of my John Deere 310SE backhoe. Now I can lift small loads up to new heights using my backhoe, making it work like a telehandler or high reach forklift. This was a nice and quick DIY project that I have wanted to do for a long time because I have some nice storage but it is really hard to reach!

[@ianflook]

Awesome idea looking forward to seeing more ideas like this one and your log splitter very cool. Projects like these are always fun to create and build.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks a bunch Ian. I enjoy these types of projects where you get to engineer and build all at the same time. I've got some winter project ideas so planning on more to come. Thanks for watching!

[@tymz-r-achangin]

Cool project! We just mounted an electric wench in the loft so we could simply lift things up to it. Nice advantage is that it doesnt matter what's happening outside with the weather (whether its raining, snowing, or cold outside) , we can just stay inside to get things up and down from the loft

[@joelalleman9591]

your extend option on your hoe is what makes this thing work really nice !!!! great idea !!!!

[@debramast5619]

Love your backhoe videos. I keep coming back and watching them over an over. Ive always wanted a backhoe for myself. Im 21yrs old and watching your videos inspired me buy one so i finally found the right one and bought it. Love your videos and would absolutely love to meet you in person some day. Keep up the great work.

[@digdrivediy]

That's awesome! Hopefully you're loving the backhoe! I know I'd be lost without mine. Maybe we'll meet at one of these shows some day. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!

[@joebob7344]

That is a really good idea.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@jackkoch1368]

Looks like another good video. They say that necessity is the seed of all invention, you just proved how that theory works. As a wise man once told me work smarter not harder Good job bud!

[@digdrivediy]

Certainly words to live by! You of all people know how long I've wanted to do this and since my ramps rotted out it was time to do something! I think this will work better than the old way I was doing it! Thanks for watching Dad.

[@marykoch5168]

Very clever. You come up with some amazing solutions. My favorite part was the "precision adjustment" 🤣

[@digdrivediy]

That's my favorite type of adjustment: Apply Force! At least your favorite part was in the middle. Kara said her favorite part was the ending with the girls. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mrmikeyd2]

You are a multi-talented man......great job and great video.... thanks for posting

[@digdrivediy]

I really appreciate your kind words. Some of this stuff is fun to do even if I'm really not that good at it but life is short and there are lots of ways to challenge oneself to keep it interesting. As always thanks so much for watching and commenting sir, I always enjoy seeing a comment pop up from you.

[@scottsoper]

Well done and creative!

[@tonynieuwlandt1290]

Good Job, I also liked the precision adjustment, it's all about the choice of the size of the hammer.

[@digdrivediy]

Unfortunately I have become somewhat of an expert in the "precision adjustment". What good fabricator can't fine tune things with a sledge hammer? 😂

[@blackdogexcavator21]

The planning sessions looked very intense, and the test vigorous. Lol. Nice farm and nice craftsmanship on the new rig. Happy forking sir!

[@digdrivediy]

Ha! Yep, it got pretty serious with the R&D work! I think these forks will be nice to have around here for sure. Thanks a bunch and appreciate you watching!

[@gregkneubuhler5798]

Nice job as always!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Greg! Appreciate you watching 👍🏻

[@russellbelton8213]

What an outstanding idea 💡

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks! It has proven to be very handy. I have gotten better at using it since this video was shot :)

[@graciemiller9596]

Great work.

[@jasonk677]

Love it! As a backhoe owner myself, I come up with unusual ideas similar to yours to make life easier. I often thought about doing exactly what you've done for myself too (so your not crazy 😁). Looks to work well enough for the job it was intended. Great job, I really enjoy your content. 👍 Deere backhoe, I've got an E series as well! 😉

[@digdrivediy]

Glad to hear from you Jason. Good stuff and love having that "E"!

[@kevinmarlow5510]

Great idea

[@robertmintz63]

What a great idea , looked like the angle geometry was just about right . I did kind of similar, but on the front bucket, welded 2 -1/2”x 12” on each side at the top , to put a pin through for each individual fork , & the bottom of the bucket acts as the back stop for the bottom of each fork . Problem is only goes as high as the bottom of the loader bucket , about 8’

[@digdrivediy]

Sounds like an interesting setup Robert. Really appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@EdBrumley]

You’re a genius!

[@jdhogyellowhelmetproductio358]

You do good work !

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you very much.

[@bushmannevkoch9907]

Well done 👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thank you 👍 This has been very handy to have around!

[@casycasy5199]

wow nice build

[@digdrivediy]

I've used this thing so many times already. I don't know why I didn't do it sooner.

[@silentepsilon888]

pretty cool project and if you need to lift something a little heavier, you can fill the bucket in the front with sand or whatever you have to act as a counter-weight ;)

[@digdrivediy]

Very good point! I can add a ton (literally) of counterweight very quickly for those heavy lifts! Always appreciate your comments sir!

[@markrussell9719]

Good job👍

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Mark!

[@johnhunter273]

Very cool!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks John! It has been very handy to have around for sure.

[@LD-ij9tl]

If it were possible to like this video more then once I would.

[@digdrivediy]

Hey thanks! I wish you could too! Maybe give it a share to someone else that might like it :)

[@bobgrier3103]

Clever! I'm impressed!

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks Bob! I was happy with how it turned out now just need to get some practice.

[@danshearer2689]

I think it's called the "Planning and Design " stage😅

[@Gatnor]

Great project. What do you think the max lifting capacity would be? Thanks

[@digdrivediy]

I'm not really sure. Did you check out the video of us lifting up the deer blind with these forks? We lifted 700 pounds like it was nothing. I would think it could safely do 1000 pounds. Maybe more but I'm not sure. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3uwpJWaa5qDb5Y

[@durhamholtmeier8330]

Great video ...I use an old carryall mines not as strong as this but an old carry all can work if you have one

[@durhamholtmeier8330]

My set up does run out of curl for level in certain ranges

[@digdrivediy]

It is a handy unit! Thanks for watching!

[@digdrivediy]

Yeah. Mine just barely runs out at the top.

[@durhamholtmeier8330]

Mines an old case 530/580 with a 33 loader frame.

[@timslabaugh538]

New subscriber here i just recently purchased a JD 310K super excited to browse thru your uploads! You don't have any plans on building a thumb for your machine by any chance?

[@digdrivediy]

Congrats on an awesome machine! I built a fixed thumb for mine but unfortunately I don't have any plans. Thanks so much for the sub and checking out my videos!

[@emmettkelly7465]

Is it a good idea to put some weight in the front bucket to balance the rear end?

[@digdrivediy]

Yes, for really heavy things that is a great idea. I have a video where I installed a deer blind up high and I did put a large rock in the bucket for counterweight. Worked really well to place the deer blind.

[@tedohio3038]

Nice project. You tuber “ Marty T” did a similar project.

[@digdrivediy]

I hadn't seen that one so I had to go check it out. Looks like a really cool channel. I always like to say that I come up with great original ideas that someone else thought of first! Thanks for watching and commenting I appreciate it.

[@kurtkesters6043]

nice, but i would scoop up a bucket of gravel or sand in the front end loader before reaching out so far

[@digdrivediy]

That's a good call. There have been a couple situations where I did just that and added some counterweight to the front bucket to help out. In this video you can see me put a giant rock in the front bucket to help offset some weight on the forks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3uwpJWaa5qDb5Y Appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@kurtkesters6043]

@@digdrivediy i missed the rock. wish i thought of that setup when i had mij backhoe for an extension boiling last year. made due with lifting straps but height was alway a issue.

[@digdrivediy]

@@kurtkesters6043 Oh, you didn't miss the rock in this video. It was in a different video where I used the backhoe forklift to raise up a deer blind. That was the link I had shared. Sorry to be confusing. You're right though, having the extra height with this setup has been really cool. I've been using this forklift a lot to put stuff in the barn that I'll probably never get back down! cheers!

[@davefoerster8768]

Hi there Neil. I'm looking to get a backhoe my self and wondering if the 2000 310E is comparable to what you have and if you have any advice for me looking.

[@digdrivediy]

Hi Dave. Yes, the 310E is nearly identical. The 310SE stands for "super E". I think the SE has a little bit more horsepower and a little bit beefier hydraulics. Plus it has bigger front tires than the straight E. But the actual machine and all the components are exactly the same. I would strongly suggest getting an extend-a-hoe. 4x4 is a life saver too. Mine has 8000 hours and runs great. They can have a lot of hours and still work perfectly if they've been taken care of. Make sure the pins and bushings aren't or out on the front bucket and backhoe and look suspicious at something that is either excessively covered with oil or been recently power washed. If I was buying a backhoe I'd want to look at it right after the person has been using it or buy something that is currently in use. I feel like that's a better indicator than something sitting on a lot that's been washed and painted up because sometimes they could be hiding something. When I went to look at my backhoe the guy was using it that day. Warmed up in and it's working state. I can see anything that there was to see that could be problematic. I felt confident in buying it knowing that he was out there running it full aware that I was coming to look at it. Hope that helps.

[@davefoerster8768]

Thats a great help. Thanks alot

[@user-ch1uq4tr9g]

I'd be interested in buying one if you think you could make another. I have a CAT 416B with Extend-A-Hoe.

[@digdrivediy]

Thanks for your interest but I don't plan to build any more at this time. Might be something I'll look into this winter though.

[@matthewstorm8092]

Not being rude but you can get forks that go on the front bucket

[@digdrivediy]

Yes, I have some of those too. They won't lift this high though. That's the point of these.

[@tupapiperon4459]

Hi i have a questions about your box scrapers

[@digdrivediy]

I'd be glad to answer any questions you have. Thanks for checking out the video Fernando!

[@tupapiperon4459]

@@digdrivediy so i have a kubota bx23s and i saw you had the hydrailic hoses for the piston moving the wheels where would i conect the hose, or do i need a special kit for that. Sorry i know its late

[@digdrivediy]

On my tractor I installed the hydraulic hose connectors that run the grader box. If you have a front loader on your tractor, then the easiest thing would be to run the hoses up to the connection points of the loader and unplug a set of loader hoses and use them to control the grader box hoses. If you don't have a loader, then chances are you will need to install some hydraulic remotes or sometimes referred to as a "power beyond" and it will likely be kit that you'd need to get from Kubota. You can also use an electric actuator instead of hydraulic cylinder if you don't want to mess with hydraulic lines. Good Luck!

[@tupapiperon4459]

@@digdrivediy thank you you are really helpfull

[@oscarcortes8973]

Ohh Sr i love your backhoe Oscar from P.R I will love to buy that machine put price

[@digdrivediy]

I love it too Oscar! Afraid it is not for sale right now.

[@JasonWorksAlot]

So you got the tires into the upstairs garage but what about the rest of the car😊😉

[@digdrivediy]

These are tire seeds. You plant them in your barn and keep fertilizing with more parts and one day you can remove an entire car! 😋

[@JasonWorksAlot]

@@digdrivediy holy smokes! I’ve got a lot to learn about this country livin. Can’t wait to have a magic barn. Where can I get the seeds? Guy names jack I’m assuming? How’s that backhoe been to you? Considering trying to find one after the property purchase is finalized. Comparing buying a 310 size hoe and a medium size tractor for mowing, versus a John Deere 110 tlb. Mikes got me leaving towards the 110 chris is trying to pull me to the 310 side.

[@digdrivediy]

@@JasonWorksAlot Those country barns fill themselves in no time flat! Just you wait! This backhoe has been absolutely wonderful. I don't want to jinx myself but I've had it for 10 years now and not a single complaint. I really like the E models as they were the last of the old school with the new style boom and extenda-hoe. I debated on a 110 as well. Those things seem so versatile and handy. Bottom line came down to this: I could buy the 310SE for the same money! Then, I bought an older 755 with FEL for $4K and have never looked back. For me and what I do, I like having the big machine for when I need it, which is more often than ya think. Then, I've got the little machines for the other stuff for a lot less money. If I had the 110, I know I'd be missing the 310 the first time I couldn't pick up a tractor to put it in the upstairs of my barn! (oh yeah, there are tractors up there too). Good luck with whatever you decide but in my opinion you can't go wrong with the 310 (look for an E, and SE if you want to be "super"). ps - mine has 9000 hrs and still starts @0 degrees no problem.

[@JasonWorksAlot]

@@digdrivediy awesome thank you for the input! I’m kind of in the same boat. My biggest concern with the 110 is lifting capacity. Current prices put a “decent” 310e in the same price category as a “nice” 110. The mini excavator was probably the most handy thing Ive ever owned and that would hold true even if you took all the dirt work out of the equation, I’m afraid the 110 alone won’t fill that void lol

[@digdrivediy]

@@JasonWorksAlot Backhoes get a bad rap for whatever reason but I'm obviously a fan. The mini-ex is hard to beat for some stuff though. I'd just like to have one of each!! Best of luck with your decision and the move. I'll be interested to know what you decide on.

[@durhamholtmeier8330]

I have a hook on the back of my hoe bucket for lifting they I hook through the top link if a carry all for a 3 point hitch ....the lower arms face rear like it's used as a carry all only I can lift it just like these forks on my case 580

[@digdrivediy]

That's a good idea. Thanks for watching!

[@henrinaths1]

Did your arms burn after all that welding?😂

[@digdrivediy]

Fortunately not this time! Should have had my long sleeves. Thanks for watching Henri!

[@henrinaths1]

@@digdrivediy Had to laugh. Bin there don that. (Hot summer day and a couple of beers. Lol) Great vid btw that’s exactly what I need on my jd410 I noticed the scraper blade on the bucket teeth. You just U bolted it on? Subbed 👍

[@tonup80]

Boom stick extension, that's cheating😂😂😂