Pallet fork tines are the load-bearing arms that slide under a pallet or load. They are the most critical component of any pallet fork attachment — the tine length, width, thickness, and material directly affect how safely and efficiently you can move loads with your tractor or loader.
This guide covers everything you need to know about pallet fork tines in New Zealand: sizes, materials, hitch compatibility, and how to choose the right set for your machine and application.
What Are Pallet Fork Tines?
Pallet fork tines are the horizontal steel arms that extend forward from the fork carriage. They slide under pallets, bins, bags, and other loads to lift and transport them. Tines are typically made from solid or forged steel and are rated to a specific load capacity per tine or per pair.
Most pallet fork tines are adjustable — they slide across the carriage and lock into notched positions to suit different pallet widths. Standard pallet widths in New Zealand are 1000mm and 1200mm, so most tines adjust across a range that covers both.
Pallet Fork Tine Sizes
Tine dimensions affect both strength and versatility. The key measurements are:
- Length — how far the tine extends under the load. Longer tines provide more support for large or heavy loads. Common lengths in our range: 750mm, 950mm, 1070mm, 1200mm.
- Width — the horizontal face of the tine. Wider tines distribute load more evenly. Common widths: 75mm, 80mm, 100mm.
- Thickness — the vertical depth of the tine section. Thicker tines resist bending under heavy loads. Common thicknesses: 25mm, 30mm, 40mm.
As a general rule, heavier capacity forks use thicker and wider tines. Our 2500kg models use 100mm × 40mm tine sections, while our 1000kg lightweight models use 75mm × 25mm sections.
Tine Materials
Pallet fork tines in our range are made from either solid steel or forged steel:
- Solid steel tines — fabricated from flat steel bar. Standard on the Novaquip range. Suitable for general farm and yard use.
- Forged steel tines — manufactured under high pressure, which aligns the grain structure of the steel for greater strength and impact resistance. Used on our Sierra Pallet forks. Better suited to applications where loads may be uneven or off-centre.
Adjustable vs Fixed Tines
All pallet forks in our range have adjustable tines that slide across the carriage. The Sierra pallet forks use a standard fork tine with a spring loaded locking pin Adjustment is done by lifting the locking pin sliding the tine to the desired position, then locking it using a pin No tools required.
Adjustment ranges vary by model:
- Novaquip NPF300 — 100mm to 655mm (4 positions)
- Novaquip NPF700 — 270mm to 780mm
- Sierra 1000kg and 2500kg models — up to 1200mm carriage width
Folding Fork Tines
The Novaquip models in our range feature folding fork tines that hinge upward and lock in the raised position. This reduces the overall footprint of the attachment when not in use — useful for transport between paddocks or storage in a shed with limited floor space.
Models with folding tines: Novaquip NPF300 and Novaquip NPF700 (3-point linkage range).
How to Choose the Right Pallet Fork Tines
When selecting pallet forks, consider the following:
- Load capacity — match the fork capacity to your heaviest regular load, with a safety margin. Do not exceed the rated capacity.
- Tine length — longer tines suit deeper pallets and provide more stability. 1070mm and 1200mm tines are the most versatile for standard NZ pallets.
- Tare weight — on compact tractors and loaders with lower lift ratings, a lighter fork carriage leaves more capacity for the load. Our lightweight 1000kg models (95–98kg tare) are designed for this.
- Hitch type — tines are part of the fork carriage, which must match your machine’s hitch. See our full pallet forks range filtered by hitch type below.
- Pallet width — confirm the tine spacing adjustment range covers the pallet widths you work with.
Pallet Fork Tines and Load Centre
Load centre is the distance from the face of the carriage to the centre of gravity of the load. Most pallet fork ratings are specified at a 500mm load centre — meaning the load’s centre of gravity is 500mm from the carriage face. If you regularly handle loads with a longer load centre (e.g. long timber or machinery), the effective capacity is reduced. Check the rated load centre for each model before purchasing.
Shop Pallet Forks by Hitch Type
- All pallet forks
- Euro hitch pallet forks — 1000kg and 2500kg
- 3-point linkage pallet forks — 300kg, 700kg, and 2500kg
- Skidsteer hitch pallet forks — 1000kg and 2500kg
- John Deere hook and pin pallet forks — 1000kg
- Blank fitment pallet forks — 1500kg and 2500kg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace just the fork tines?
The pallet fork tines in our range are supplied as part of the complete fork carriage unit. If you need replacement tines, contact us and we can advise on options for your specific model. Sierra Pallet fork tines are only available in Pairs
What length pallet fork tines do I need?
For standard NZ pallets (1000mm × 1200mm footprint), 1070mm or 1200mm tines are the most practical. Shorter tines (750–950mm) suit lighter-duty applications on compact tractors where overall weight is a priority.
Are pallet fork tines universal?
Tine dimensions vary between manufacturers and models. While some tines use standard Class 2 carriage dimensions, always confirm compatibility before purchasing replacement or additional tines.
What is the difference between 1000kg and 2500kg pallet forks?
Beyond the rated capacity, heavier-duty forks use thicker tine sections (100mm × 40mm vs 75–80mm × 25–30mm), heavier carriage frames, and typically weigh more. The right choice depends on your loader’s lift capacity and your typical load weights.
Browse the full pallet forks range at Implements Direct →