Something just clicked…..

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: there might be something to that because i was told by several members not to buy a pallet jack that had been sitting outside. might be worth either buying one of those carport set ups or finding some space inside you shop.

good luck

 

[Strouty]

Good points Matt, I am used to equipment being outside, but nothing with a vertical ram. I think a lean to would be the best bet, spell check got me, supposed to be the side of the conex or shipping container. I will look it over, hopefully it will only be for this year and next year it will have more of a home, of course that is assuming I decide to keep it.

I got another load to the scrap yard, then I moved a bunch of things around and set them up on blocks in anticipation of the forklift. I also loaded up all the rotted wood that came back from my Massachusetts adventure, there was a ton of good blocking as well, so I saved it all out. I just got back from dumping the wood, now I am going to take it easy for the evening, then tomorrow morning I am going to start cleaning the basement, it has way too much stuff in it. I will most likely take a trip to the shop so I can drop off some of the stuff from the basement, then get gas for the forklift and grab another load of stuff to bring to my Dad's place. Then I have to be ready for turkey.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Strouty, you're making good progress. Take the day off tomorrow and enjoy some R&R.

 

[Strouty]

I need to do a couple things tomorrow because it means a much smoother day on Friday when I have help from my buddy.

I figure I will take some time off when the weather is bad, right now I need to use all the 50 degree days that come my way. It is almost December so I know it can't last.

 

[Strouty]

I am headed to the dreaded basement of the house, it has been the dumping ground for a lot of stuff and since we moved the washer and dryer upstairs it doesn't get much attention at all. Wish me luck! Happy turkey day to everyone.

 

[dlcwent]

Ha. All I can think of is "Don't go into the basement". Must have been 72 -75 . A fun drive-in movie I remember.

Be careful Strouty. And watch your back.

 

[Strouty]

The only thing in the basement that is dangerous is the floor joists, they hurt when you bash your head on them.

 

[LaneRover]

I have some low but big plumbing drain pipes in the basement that LUCKILY are modern PVC, just about everyone wacks there head on it. If it had been cast iron I think a few would have been laying on the ground for a bit . . .

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Strouty]

I used to have a small wood working lathe in the basement (I made pens), I could stand between the joists no problem, but after a while you would "forget" that they were there, of course there was always a not so subtle reminder that they were still there.

Enjoy the weather Lane, looks like Friday is supposed to be nice too.

 

[matt_i]

One nice thing is you can probably use the fairly flat overhead guard to support either a sheet of plywood or a sheet or two of metal roofing (or ply + metal assembled) plus some "side guards" to divert splash etc. I use my overhead guard to store and transport cribbing wood but its very common for warehouse guys who work outdoors at times to wrap it in stretch wrap or overturn a plastic pallet base as a rain guard.

 

[dlcwent]

I have some low but big plumbing drain pipes in the basement that LUCKILY are modern PVC, just about everyone wacks there head on it. If it had been cast iron I think a few would have been laying on the ground for a bit . . .

Happy Thanksgiving!

Same situation in my basement. Good thing I'm short, but still hit my head at least once a year. (That me rubbing my head, not scratching it.)

 

[drivesitfar]

one of the reasons i started selling new or newer homes after the first few years of selling old homes and whacking my head on those low beams. were all the people 5 foot tall in the early 1900's. one couple that built their home pre WWII told me that they built it that height because the bulldozer operator couldn't get his machine to remove any more soil past that point.

if you have a spot out of the wind this might be an option for storing your fork lift and other stuff you want to keep out of the rain and Target and Costco have them for under $400. a friend of mine spent $2500 on a nicer one he stores his BMW in because his garage is full of tools. or maybe you can build something with any steel you haven't taken to the scrap yard?

http://www.target.com/p/sandstone-p...gclid=CLvu4LKTrskCFY17fgod5h8CKQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Richard Cranium]

Happy Turkey days guys, The power went out here about 1 pm yesterday and didn't come back on until 7:30 this morning. The house was still 60 deg. But it seamed like a long night. 7 power poles blew down about 2 miles south of my home. I have lived here for over 30 yrs and we do loose power some times but never for this long, most of the time a hour or two. I hope we don't have many more of these long outages. Might be buying a wood stove...Richie

 

[North Run Grader]

Strouty, I said I'd post a picture of articulation. The first month or so of learning to operate a grader I hardly ever used the articulation, now I wouldn't have one without it.

View media item 55122
That's maximum articulation to the right side and it offsets the front wheels approx. 4'. When I'm wide winging snow banks, I'll run the front right tire down in the ditch along side the snow bank and keep the drive tires up on the road surface where its level and firm. That's just one example of the uses. I'll post more pics in my thread in free parking as I don't want to highjack your thread.

 

[slowzuki]

Those load ratings are for heat build up at speed. Low speed application like a forklift they can take significantly more. Also, at max load, its the front tires by the mast taking the weight. The rears are most loaded when the lift is not carrying anything.

Lastly, thats an outdoor machine, they aren't often kept inside at the sawmills etc, and last for 50+ years, I can't imagine a winter outside will hurt.

I checked a few more charts and it appears that the 9.00 20 tires are rated at 5150 or 5680 depending on the F or G load rating. The 10.00 20 tires are 6175 or 6610 based on G or H load ratings. I am going to measure the circumference of the tires that I have, my Dad has 11.00 20 studded traction tires that I can have and those have a better load rating, but they are taller.

I guess it also depends on the manufacturer, I have found the ratings all over the place. The circumference is the tricky part, I am not sure if I can have much deviation because of the 4x4, I know it would be an issue on pavement, but on gravel and mud it really should not be that big of a deal.

 

[Strouty]

Drives, most of those do not have tall enough doors, at least the cheaper ones. I looked at one for my other forklift, I could always extend the pipes.

Rich, glad you got your power back.

North, I am talking more like a front end loader, I can't offset like that. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some good pictures.

Slow, that makes sense about the tires. As far as the machine, it looks like it is designed to protect itself from the weather. The tilt rams are exposed, but that would be the same with any piece of heavy machinery. In other words, I agree that it could stay outside with no issues.

 

[slowzuki]

The biggest drawback of outdoor storage is deterioration of paint, hoses and tires over time but I think you're already there!

A big positive to outdoor storage is its less likely to burn your shop down. Old machines like to start leaking gas or short out electrical equipment at odd times.

Slow, that makes sense about the tires. As far as the machine, it looks like it is designed to protect itself from the weather. The tilt rams are exposed, but that would be the same with any piece of heavy machinery. In other words, I agree that it could stay outside with no issues.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: hoping you survived Thanksgiving without eating too much. that said i only mentioned the carport idea to give you a suggestion because a guy that builds tall towers i'm sure knows how to extend a bit of pipe.

hope you have a great day today and sounds like you have one of your helpers showing up so you don't have to do any or all the heavy lifting by yourself.

cheers

 

[86turbodsl]

Strouty, hasnt your scrap prices dropped a ton there? I quit trying to scrap anything because the last time i called the yard the lady said she was embarrassed to tell me the new rate. 11 a ton. Nothing at all unless you bring at least 300lbs.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[nine4gmc]

86, he only scrapped free stuff that he would have had to sit on and store so it made more sense to scrap it in this case.

Cool pic North Run!

Strouty, post up your pens if you still have any.

 

[Strouty]

Yup, Nines is one the money, it would have cost me 5 hours plus fuel per load to bring the steel home, even if I waited for it to hit $300 a ton, it would still not be worth it. I have scrapped some local, but only because I don't want it in the way for plowing.

Slow, the machine is surprisingly in good shape for the vintage, the tires are crappy, but that is fine, they just need to hold air.

Drives, I ate a little too much, but I was pretty good overall. Having help at the shop was great, I got one of the boxes completely emptied and now it is ready to be moved. We also got almost all of the steel that is outside on blocking so I can move it with the forklift easily.

 

[Strouty]

The forklift is growing on me, I still think it needs lower gears and some of the levers are opposite of the way they should go. I got the emergency brake working, just needed a couple hose clamps to hold the handle together. The dumpster is almost full and I have another load to take to the scrap yard Monday. Hopefully I can borrow my Brother's truck until then. Tonight I am taking a few things home with me, just to get them gone. I also decided to get rid of a really old and badly damaged knaack box that I have been holding on to just because it was once expensive. The contents are marginal and I think most of them will be headed to the dumpster as well. I also called and told the local auto salvage place that they can take the two volvos sometime next week. I am pulling a couple parts off them and sending them away. Every minute I put towards them is time I could be using to finish one of the suburbans or work on Bev (the freightliner). Even my buddy Nate said he noticed a difference in how I was handling keeping or tossing things. It was a bit hard to toss certain things with him around, he was like those would be great for this and you could use those for that. So as much as I needed and enjoyed the help/company, I am glad I will have alone time tomorrow to get back to being vindictive. I have a dumpster to fill so it can be emptied again (then filled again).

 

[Richard Cranium]

more sense to scrap it then haul it home unload it and then store it.

 

[Strouty]

That was what we decided, I would have scrapped more of it, but the place was only open until 1:30 the day we were there. I could still stand to take a bit more to the scrap yard, I may be able to stuff it in with the things I want to take all ready. The biggest issue with the forklift is that it takes a large area or a lot of back and forth to get into the loads. It is definitely better than a backhoe or tractor, but it still takes more room than a regular forklift would. I tried it with just the front axle engaged and it worked fine on flat ground, but when there were uneven surfaces it would spin easily, so I have to leave it in 4x4 all the time. This kind of stinks, because the rear axle fights you a bit if you steer it all the way and I don't want to break anything. I figure once things are leveled up it may be fine, I plan on getting tire chains for it as well, that would make winter usage a breeze. We had a cold night the other day so I got to start it at about 20 and it was no problem.

I will say that my lower back and hip are way out of whack because of the clutch, I am not used to driving something with a clutch and you use it for just about every maneuver. I guess I am going to have to use the inversion table again tonight and see what happens. I will post some pictures tomorrow, it got dark before I could get some. This week will probably be the most improvement in overall appearance that the shop has ever had.

 

[Strouty]

I need to make a bracket for the forks that will allow me to move trailers, this will probably be the single most awesome feature of the entire fork lift. I will be able to easily shuffle trailers and bring them into the shop to work on them. I have to go and load a few more things, so I will talk with you guys later.

 

[nine4gmc]

I've seen guys drill a hole in one of the forks for a trailer ball and one in the other for a large shackle.

 

[Strouty]

I thought about doing that, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it. It would solve a lot of my issues and I could make an easy to change setup. I am pretty sure it ruins the fork as far as "safety" certifications go, but I don't need to worry about that.

 

[damiansd]

Weld a loop/plate on the side of one of the forks. Then the integrity of the forks is still ok.

 

[bimmer1980]

This may work for you....

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200642017_200642017

Simple, cheap, and you can have it in short order and get some trailers moved....

Of course, if it is 5-wheel style trailers you are moving, you may need a difference type of trailer hitch option....

Also, I don't think I would drill or weld to the forks. They are probably heat treated... In addition to that, it is helpful to have completely smooth forks. When you are trying to get in at an odd angle to a pallet, etc, it is nice to be able to use the side of the fork to adjust the pallet, etc. As mentioned before, I do have a small Clark forklift and I have a set of pallet forks for my New Holland LS150 skid steer. I'm not sure what I would do without either of them......

 

[Strouty]

Damian, after doing a bit of research, I think I am not going to modify the forks at all.

Bimmer, I think I will make something along those lines, no fifth wheel trailers right now, just a gooseneck and that is only a 2 5/16" ball. I do have one pintle, but as long as I make a place for the safety chains, I can use the ball with the lunette eye.

 

[Strouty]

I have some errands to do this morning, but I should be over to the shop before dark. I am not sure what direction I am going next. I know I need to get a few more things done before the snow arrives, just not 100% sure of what order I am going to do them.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: Can you take a few pictures of your yard and shop because the last few posts are telling us you are really letting go of some things? since you got rid of the BOAT, hung your new Lista cabs and lost a few pounds you are on a rampage so keep up the great progress.

how's the back? usually when i push my back too hard and it gets really sore it takes maybe 3 days of hanging once or twice a day before i'm back to normal without it hurting.

 

[slowzuki]

A chunk of 2x4x1/4 HSS with a hole burned for a ball and a short piece of chain welded on works well. Slip it over the fork and use a load binder to hold it to the back plate.

 

[Richard Cranium]

one of the places I used to work had a hole cut in the fork and we would put a ball on it to move trailers. We also had a eyebolt that we would put in the bottom of the hole and a hook for using with a chain to move other stuff. We were rough on fork lifts and they didn't last over a few yrs. But most of the problem was that they were being over loaded all the time.
And I am sure it didn't help that he only bought used p.o.s units in the first place. We split more old ford tractors trying to lift too heavy of loads also.

 

[Strouty]

Drives, I will try and get some pictures of everything, it is so overcast right now, I am not sure how they will come out. I was thinking since I need to move the bucket truck, I may get some aerial views, maybe I can do that on a nicer day. The back is fine, it is my neck that is really bugging me. I can see another visit to the chiropractor in my near future. This time I need to let things settle and give the neck a bit of a day off. Last time I went right before moving all that steel and it did not stay loose long enough to do me any good.


Slow, these forks are pretty big, like 6" wide, I will get some exact measurements and show some pictures of what I plan on doing, I want it to be versatile, but not too heavy.

Rich, apparently when you modify the forks it is a huge OSHA no, no. I may use this thing on job sites at some point, so I don't want to do anything to the forks that will make them unusable in the future. If I find another set of forks, then I will definitely drill holes in these, but for now I will work on a slip fit solution.

I would have to say that today I lost almost all of my momentum, I did bring a few things over to my Brother's today, but I have done nothing at the shop at all. Maybe I can regroup and get things done tomorrow. I will spend some time measuring the forks and trying to find pieces that I can use to make the plate for the hitch.

 

[mdbeck1]

...I will spend some time measuring the forks and trying to find pieces that I can use to make the plate for the hitch.

If I Remember Correctly you were going to start storing your "drops" at the scrap yard. Measure the width and depth of the fork and go see if there are some "drops" there.

 

[1/2 Cup]

I will try and get a pic or a link of the fork attachment the guy use in our work shop for doing exactly what you are after, it is fully compliant and very handy for moving trailers about.
Attaches to both forks and no holes

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...+&qpvt=forklift+towing+attachments+&FORM=IGRE

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: i bought a walking style fork lift a while back that is working great and just realized the table type attachment it included that fits over the forks and over the back of the part holding the forks might help you with the design of a hitch idea you are throwing around.

maybe you can design something similar to hang on the forks and over the back support to keep it in place and put a ball in the middle of it to pull your trailers around your lot?

here's pictures of my Jet lift with the table over the forks. i'll get more pictures and try to get measurements if you need some.

good luck with the neck and Advil used to make mine feel a bit better and Aleve doesn't work at all for me. haven't taken any pills for pain in a long time, but if it gets to where my pain lasts for more than a few days i'll buy some more Advil.

 

[Strouty]

MB, not all the drops made it there, I still have a good amount in the shop. I don't think I could functionally complete most projects without a small stockpile of steel.

1/2, I would love to see a picture or two, I like to get a bunch of ideas before making the final product.

Drives, the plate is a good idea, I have a smaller plastic pallet that has a completely flat top that I use in the same manner.

I am going to take my measurements now and maybe show you guys what I have available so we can figure out the best way to make this work.

 

[Strouty]

Looks like according to all specs the forks are toast anyways, so I will drill a couple holes in them. I still want to make a slip on unit, because the next set of forks will be either new or good condition. You are only allowed 10% reduction of thickness from the vertical section to the heel and I am at 1.70 and allowable is 1.80 inches. I guess that makes the first step quick and easy. Tomorrow I will use the mag drill to pop a couple holes in them.