Broke My Pitchfolk

[oregon woodsmok]

My 43 year old pitchfork just broke. The wooden handle snapped off just above the metal.

Shopped for a new pitchfork lately? All that is available is junk. The metal is flimsy and floppy and the tines are too far apart. I've been to 4 stores, including the farm supply store.

I can't see anyway to get the broken end of the handle out and a new handle in place. Is there a trick about how to do it? The metal part is all solid, one piece. No seams, no rivets, no slits.

[simi-steading]

Put the end of the fork in a fire and burn out the old handle. Clean out well to make sure all of the old handle is out. Then install the new handle.

[rambler]

Just don't get the tines hot, it will take the temper out of them and ruin the fork.....

Paul

[simi-steading]

Originally Posted by rambler

Just don't get the tines hot, it will take the temper out of them and ruin the fork.....

Paul

Thanks.. I should have added that, but when I said the end, I meant just the end with the handle... I didn't make it clear enough.

[Cabin Fever]

Rambler is correct (as usual).

Are you in need of a hay fork or a potato fork?

If you lived closer, and need a hay fork, I'd give you one of ours. We have 3-tine, 4-tine, and 5-tine and more than one of some of those. All are vintage, bought by Mother at farm auctions. All we need is one. Never tell my 80yo Mom you need something, she keeps buying them until you beg her to stop!

[dkhern]

the fork should have a tang that goes into the wood. the metal ferrel is reenforcement. you should be able to put in a vice and a wernch or something on the end of the ferrel and drive it off. the new handle should come with a ferrel.

[Ozarks Tom]

I've drilled a hole into the stump, screwed in a welded eye bolt, and pulled it out with a come along. In one case I heated the shank to expand it.

[watcher]

Tines too far apart and flimsy ? You looking for a pitchfork, a spreader fork, muck fork or a manure fork?

A pitch fork is for hay and has thin tines (usually 3 or 4) that are sort of flimsy and fairly far apart. Makes it easier to stick it into the hay pile and lift up a good sized hunk. And because hay isn't that heavy the tines don't need to be that stiff.

A spreading fork has has more tines (4-6) but still sort of flimsy and is wider to allow you to pick up a goodly amount of stuff and fling it over a good arc.

A muck fork has a lot more tines which are a bit stiffer, flat on bottom (the others are rounded) and usually has a 'basket' shape on the back.

A manure fork has 5-8 tines heavy tines. Manure is heavier then hay so you need more strength to lift it.

[sammyd]

any fork handle I have replaced came with the metal ferrule as dkhern has mentioned.
Shovels usually need to be burned out but not forks.

[arcticow]

Originally Posted by simi-steading

Put the end of the fork in a fire and burn out the old handle. Clean out well to make sure all of the old handle is out. Then install the new handle.

Yep, this. Maybe a screw to secure it...

[am1too]

I like a 10 tine fork. Right now they are bringing bout $60 new.

[Conhntr]

Just sit it by my house. The termites will hve the wood out in no time