Forklift Opinions?
- Thread starter cr0ntab
- Start date
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
This is my unit, a Datsun 3k capacity from around 1970 or so. It has a standard Datsun truck cablight 4 cylinder OHV engine in it on gasoline. I bought it from my neighbor for $600 in 2003 and did an overall refurbishment on it in my shop including full engine rebuild and lift cylinder repacking. I ended up with $1800 in it when it was ready to go. I bought it specifically to move my entire shop operation, then just kept it because it was so useful. I gave it a fresh brush paint job recently because it has been faithful to me for 20 years.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Relative to a previous comment in this thread about Towmotor, Cat bought Towmotor at some point and still sold parts in Cat boxes for them last I checked. I drove one as part of my work before I retired and it is still in regular daily use on the job at 71 years old.
Have driven Towmotor, Cat, Doosan, Yale, Toyota, Clark, Daihatsu, Crown, Hyster, and probably a few others I have forgotten. Like most things in life if properly taken care of any of those would be awesome for a homeowner or small business. I prefer Toyota and Clark because I have seen many of those (over the years) that were absolutely neglected and sometimes purposely abused and always came back for more. Any unit that has been taken care of will serve you well. Good luck
I finally pulled the trigger.
I ended up with a 1961? Hyster S50E
At least that's what I think it is from the serial number and name plate.
I really wanted one of the smaller clark units, I found two that were going for $2300.
I offered $2500 for this one and they took it, so I figured the extra $200 for a 3 stage mast plus side shift was worth it (not to mention capacity that I'll likely never use haha)
The seller claims the hydraulics were just serviced, I didn't see any leaks around the mast or anything there.
But when I took it off the trailer I saw a small puddle of oil that seemed to come from the engine, so I'll have to inspect that to see what the deal is.
Everything seemed to work well, so I'm excited to give this a little TLC and make it mine!
Engine bay pictures
I ended up with a 1961? Hyster S50E
At least that's what I think it is from the serial number and name plate.
I really wanted one of the smaller clark units, I found two that were going for $2300.
I offered $2500 for this one and they took it, so I figured the extra $200 for a 3 stage mast plus side shift was worth it (not to mention capacity that I'll likely never use haha)
The seller claims the hydraulics were just serviced, I didn't see any leaks around the mast or anything there.
But when I took it off the trailer I saw a small puddle of oil that seemed to come from the engine, so I'll have to inspect that to see what the deal is.
Everything seemed to work well, so I'm excited to give this a little TLC and make it mine!
Engine bay pictures
dr_clyde
Well-known member
That’s a very fair deal. Hyster makes a fine lift, you’ll be happy with it.
Once you have a forklift you’ll wonder how you ever did anything without one.
Once you have a forklift you’ll wonder how you ever did anything without one.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
The first thing you lift will cost you $2,500. The second lift will be $1,250, the third $625, and so on. Eventually it will be free if you use it enough.
I have had mine for 20 years.
I have had mine for 20 years.iagsxr
Well-known member
I finally pulled the trigger.
I ended up with a 1961? Hyster S50E
At least that's what I think it is from the serial number and name plate.
I really wanted one of the smaller clark units, I found two that were going for $2300.
I offered $2500 for this one and they took it, so I figured the extra $200 for a 3 stage mast plus side shift was worth it (not to mention capacity that I'll likely never use haha)
The seller claims the hydraulics were just serviced, I didn't see any leaks around the mast or anything there.
But when I took it off the trailer I saw a small puddle of oil that seemed to come from the engine, so I'll have to inspect that to see what the deal is.
Everything seemed to work well, so I'm excited to give this a little TLC and make it mine!
Engine bay pictures
Looks like a nice sized machine. I don't think it will take you long to appreciate the side shift and three-stage mast.
I'm not familiar with Hyster so I looked up the specs. Your machine was built from 1975-1987 so you probably have a 1981 there.
So I had to spend a little more on TLC than I would've have liked but so be it.
When I got this thing home I started looking around at the motor. There was LOTS of gunk and grease on the motor and there was water being flung around when the unit was running.
I also noticed that the parking brake was VERY iffy, sometimes the lift would get stuck in neutral and I'd have to fiddle with the parking brake to get it to move.
Part 1
After some examination I noticed that the back side of the upper radiator hose was leaking, so I bought a replacement.
When I took it off I noticed that the thermostat housing was toast (likely the root cause of the leak) the previous owner cinched down on the hose clamp (no doubt to "fix" the leak) so much that it ripped the hose.
While I was in there I noticed that the previous owner used water instead of coolant in this motor
and there was a lot of debris and other **** in the hose and thermostat housing.
I opted to replace the entire setup. The "forklift" version of the thermostat housing was $180!!! However, I figured out that this motor was used in a '69 Chevy Nova, so cross referencing parts I found the same housing for $15 with gasket
Part 2
With the hose no longer leaking I was able to see that there was a slow drip from the water pump pulley, well I guess I need to replace that too....
"Forklift" version was $80, chevy nova version was $30 with gasket
While I waited for that to come in I continued to degrease the motor, I went through tons and tons of degreaser and brake cleaner to get it somewhat manageable.
I saw that the valve/rocker cover was leaking so I also ordered a new gasket for that.
There was more rust on the rockers than I would have liked (probably due to moisture from not having an oil cap) but things seemed? to be in decent enough shape.
This time I ended up
But this time I noticed that I was leaking a fair amount of oil from the valve cover.
I think I ended up tightening it too much, I've never used a cork gasket and my guess is that I pinched it because I can see oil bubbling up from the screws
I have a new gasket on order, I'll try to be a little less caveman on the bolts.
The lift seems to run great, in the process of cleaning all the **** out of the engine I also managed to fix some electrical issues???
All of the warning/indicator lights turn on when the key, the temperature gauge now works, and my annoying parking brake neutral issue is gone!
I'm excited to finally start getting some use out of this thing!!
When I got this thing home I started looking around at the motor. There was LOTS of gunk and grease on the motor and there was water being flung around when the unit was running.
I also noticed that the parking brake was VERY iffy, sometimes the lift would get stuck in neutral and I'd have to fiddle with the parking brake to get it to move.
Part 1
After some examination I noticed that the back side of the upper radiator hose was leaking, so I bought a replacement.
When I took it off I noticed that the thermostat housing was toast (likely the root cause of the leak) the previous owner cinched down on the hose clamp (no doubt to "fix" the leak) so much that it ripped the hose.
While I was in there I noticed that the previous owner used water instead of coolant in this motor
and there was a lot of debris and other **** in the hose and thermostat housing.I opted to replace the entire setup. The "forklift" version of the thermostat housing was $180!!! However, I figured out that this motor was used in a '69 Chevy Nova, so cross referencing parts I found the same housing for $15 with gasket
- I replaced some worn out vacuum lines
- Replugged a few vacuum lines that had fallen out
- Installed new PCV valve
- Installed an actual oil cap
- Topped off the radiator with coolant.
Part 2
With the hose no longer leaking I was able to see that there was a slow drip from the water pump pulley, well I guess I need to replace that too....
"Forklift" version was $80, chevy nova version was $30 with gasket
While I waited for that to come in I continued to degrease the motor, I went through tons and tons of degreaser and brake cleaner to get it somewhat manageable.
I saw that the valve/rocker cover was leaking so I also ordered a new gasket for that.
There was more rust on the rockers than I would have liked (probably due to moisture from not having an oil cap) but things seemed? to be in decent enough shape.
This time I ended up
- Installing a new water pump
- Installed a new lower radiator hose
- Dumped all the radiator water and filled with 50/50 coolant
- New oil filter/drain screw and oil change
- Lots and lots and lots of degreaser and cleaning
But this time I noticed that I was leaking a fair amount of oil from the valve cover.
I think I ended up tightening it too much, I've never used a cork gasket and my guess is that I pinched it because I can see oil bubbling up from the screws
I have a new gasket on order, I'll try to be a little less caveman on the bolts.
The lift seems to run great, in the process of cleaning all the **** out of the engine I also managed to fix some electrical issues???
All of the warning/indicator lights turn on when the key, the temperature gauge now works, and my annoying parking brake neutral issue is gone!
I'm excited to finally start getting some use out of this thing!!
LopezBart
Well-known member
Easy on the torque. Some PermaTex Hi-Tack works well as a sealer on the downhill side, and oil on the uphill side so you can remove the cover.I think I ended up tightening it too much, I've never used a cork gasket and my guess is that I pinched it because I can see oil bubbling up from the screws