Full Taper Forks for General Use

[MikePhua]

Fork Basics and Definitions

• Fork Carriage / Class: The mounting frame on a loader, backhoe or forklift where forks attach. Classes (e.g. Class 3) define height and strength of carriage and matching forks.
  
• Standard Fork Taper: The blade (the horizontal part that slides under the load) has a taper (thinning) near the tip, but much of its length (heel to mid-blade) retains full thickness.
  
• Fully (Full) Taper Forks: The blade continuously tapers from heel all the way to the tip. Tip thickness might be only a few millimeters relative to heel. This makes entry under pallets or tight loads easier.
  
• Heel: The thick, proximal end of the fork blade near where it’s attached to the carriage.
  
• Blade Length: The total horizontal length from heel to tip.
  

Situation Overview
An operator has a 2015 John Deere 310 L backhoe, with a Class-3 quick-attach forklift carriage. They are choosing between:

• New full-taper forks, 42" long (cheap, rusty from warehouse storage), cost $250 for pair
  
• Used regular (standard) taper forks, 48" long, cost $350 for pair
  

They expect use mainly moving pallets off trucks or around a yard.

Pros and Cons of Full Taper vs Standard Taper
Advantages of Full Taper Forks

1. Ease of Entry: The thin taper from heel to tip allows the fork to slip under pallets or other loads more easily, especially if the load is tight to floor or the pallet stringers are low. Useful in narrow or confined spaces.
   
2. Grip on Load Tip: Because the tip is thin and the taper gradual, the tip less likely to damage the load and better insertion under load when space is limited.
   

Disadvantages / Limitations of Full Taper Forks

1. Reduced Capacity at Tip: Tapering reduces cross-sectional material near the tip, which means less strength there. If loads are supported primarily near the tip (e.g. long pallets or high load center), bending is more likely.
   
2. Wear Sensitivity: Tip and lower blade wear more, because taper makes those parts thinner to begin with. Any abrasion, deformation, overload, or striking surfaces worsen wear.
   
3. Durability Under Heavy Use: For heavy loads, frequent lifting near capacity, or uneven loads, standard taper or thicker forks may tolerate stress better.
   

Length Considerations

• A 42-inch fork blade is shorter than a 48-inch. Shorter forks are easier to maneuver in tight spots; longer forks allow deeper reach into loads (truck beds, pallets, etc.).
  
• Rule of thumb: forks should reach ≈ 2⁄3 of the way into the load to properly support it; too long forks can reduce maneuverability or risk tipping or striking surrounding objects.
  

New versus Used
New Full-Taper Forks

• Pros: better material, less likely to have hidden wear or damage, cleaner manufacturing tolerances.
  
• Cons: possible rust (as in this case), cost is generally higher per inch length, and taper means tips are thinner so more susceptible to damage in rough handling.
  

Used Standard Taper Forks

• Pros: more length for reach, likely stronger near tip because thicker tips, typically lower cost for strength.
  
• Cons: may have wear, bends, rust, possibly less reliable / more maintenance needed.
  

Safety, Inspection, and Guidelines

• Inspect for straightness and symmetry: both forks should have tips at same height; difference beyond ~3 % of blade length often flagged.
  
• Check thickness near the heel (unworn part) vs deeper in blade to assess wear. If blade heel has lost more than ~10 % of original material, replacement is advised.
  
• Ensure the fork tip hardness and integrity: rust or old damage could hide cracks.
  
• Observe the load center: fully loaded pallets with heavy goods near tip reduce safe capacity.
  

General Recommendation for This Case
Given your described use (moving pallets off trucks, material handling), here's guidance:

• The 42-inch full taper set is likely adequate, especially if loads are moderate weight and truck beds are shallow or you have to slip under pallets often.
  
• Unless you're frequently dealing with very long loads or need deeper reach, the extra 6 inches of the 48-inch that cost more might not be worth it. Longer forks weigh more, reduce maneuverability, and may limit lifting capacity when fully extended.
  
• New full taper may last longer if well maintained and used within its capacity; used standard taper gives greater reach but risk of hidden wear.
  

Parameters to Check / Ask
Before deciding, check or ask:

• What is the rated capacity of the forks at the carriage, and how much it drops off when used at full reach?
  
• What is the original thickness of the forks’ tip vs what remains (for used ones)?
  
• Are the used standard-taper forks straight and free of cracks or significant wear?
  
• What is your heaviest pallet load weight? Compare that with the fork’s capacity.
  
• What kind of floor surfaces / truck bed heights you’ll work with—just pallet vans/trailers or flatbeds, steel vs wood floors, etc.
  

Small Story and Context
An operator in Nebraska bought a set of full–taper forks for a loader to handle livestock feed pallets. The feed pallets had stringers set low, so standard forks scraped and bent tips trying to slide in. Full taper helped a lot. But after few months, the tips had worn significantly and showed bending when load was not evenly distributed. He ended up alternating between full-taper for light/short loads and standard taper (longer and thicker) for heavy or long pallets.
In another case, a rental yard needed versatility. One of their rental machines came with standard taper but clients complained it was tough to slide under tight pallets. They added a set of full taper forks and noticed usage increased, but so did wear--they started replacing full taper forks more often, as tips corroded and lost thickness from scrapes.

Conclusion
Using full-taper forks for general pallet moving is not inherently problematic. They offer benefits in ease of entry and handling tight loads. But their strength and durability near tips is lower; for long, heavy or frequent loads, standard taper or thicker forks may be safer and more durable. In your case, unless you're regularly handling long or heavy pallets, the 42-inch full taper is a solid, cost-effective choice. If you foresee needing extra reach or heavier loads, investing in the longer used standard taper set may pay off.