Skid Steer-Mounted "Rock Fork"

Skid Steer-Mounted Rock Fork ROCK PICKERS “It gives you a fast way to clear fields before planting ” says Ed Maas Eden Valley Minn about his new rock fork that makes use of a skid loader’s pallet forks     The patent pending “Rock Star” as Maas calls it measures about 4 1/2 ft long and 3 ft wide and has pockets at the rear that ordinary pallet forks slip into The unit’s 4-ft long replaceable hardened steel tines are spaced 3 in apart The skid loader’s tilt control creates a pitching action that sends rocks to the back of the unit     To operate you tilt the tines down below the ground surface as you approach a rock As the tines go under the rock you tilt the fork back to pitch the rocks to a holding area on back of the unit The crossbar that the tines anchor to also acts as a stop to keep rocks at the rear when you tilt the unit down to pick up the next rock     The 1 1/8-in dia tines mount inside 2 crossbars and are anchored with roll pins Each tine can be easily replaced by driving out a pin     “It lets you pick up rocks faster and with less dirt than conventional rock buckets ” says Maas “When I’m in the field I raise the back end of the rock fork 6 in and then tilt the tines down as I drive forward sifting the ground surface I can get quite a few rocks on the tines before I have to tip them back The only limitation is that it can’t dig out real big rocks buried deep in the ground     “It’ll dig out rocks below the surface in compacted ground but performs best in freshly worked soils by tilting the tines down so their tips are 3 to 6 in below the surface Most rocks can be picked on the go without stopping It’s almost like you’re sifting the soil ”     There are a series of keyholes on back of the rock fork through which a chain can be run to secure the rock fork to the skid loader     Sells for $775 plus S&H Dealer inquiries welcome Maas also plans to soon offer a quick-tach bucket-style unit     Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ed Maas 56520 365th St Eden Valley Minn 55329 ph 320 453-2756; ekmaas@meltel net; www therock-star com

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