Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

I gave my Brother three cabinets today, he also took a little bit of the steel, I really got harsh with what was left, so it is looking good. I also gave the rusty claw foot tub to a friend of a friend so they could use it for a drinking trough for horses or cows. I loaded up the nicer tub and I will be bringing it home because the GF wants to use it in the garden????

Another thing that my brother convinced me to do was store the two volvos for just a bit longer, he thinks the way things are going I may need another project around February. I figure it won't hurt to keep them in the back forty and if I don't get to them by spring, then they both go away.

Of all things, tomorrow I am trading a few hours of work for some more galvanized steel. I guess I haven't totally learned yet. I think I have a buyer for most of it all ready, but only time will tell. At least it is only a few pieces and not an entire yard, if I did that again, I think I would need to be put down, because there would be no hope for me.

I still need to strap down the final load of scrap steel, then I can get some dinner and come back and try and drill the holes in the forks. I am also going to chase some wires and find out where the power source is so I can figure out how to get some lights working, it really ***** trying to drive around with just my little headlamp.

Drives, I apologize, I did not get any good pictures today, but I will do it sometime this week. I have one more thing that may go to the dump, but I am not sure yet, the rest of the wood will be burned when I get all the small trees cut down.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: don't worry about the pictures and take a few as you have time. sounds like you have good thinking going on with everything so keep getting ready for winter.

cheers

 

[davejo]

What a great thread y'all have running here! As i read the early posts I wanted to make many comments but made myself wait until I got caught up. I think that the info shared here is actually going to change how I conduct myself.

My thoughts regarding some of the profound issues discussed are quite disorganized so I will start with a superficial entry into the fray:

Strouty, i bet you have a bunch of receiver hitches in one of your piles. Weld some rectangular tubing onto the frame of one of the hitches so your forks can slide into them as was previously suggested. Then you can put all the hitch attachments that you have accumulated to work on different trailers.

As soon as you drill a hole in the fork and bolt a 2" ball to it, you will have to move a gooseneck or king pin trailer around....

 

[Strouty]

Welcome to the Garage Journal Davejo, thanks for taking the time to read through the thread. The good news is even the worst mess can be undone, you just have to keep with it.

As for the ball, all my trailers are 2 5/16" and so is the gooseneck, so I should be good for that part. I am thinking of making a large wing nut to make it easy to tighten and loosen the ball.

I have been doing a bit of research on the forklift and also on tires. The forks are not a regular style fork, they have a much longer drop from the bottom of the carriage and I am wondering if that means they will be really expensive. The motor is a bit confusing, looks like it has a gear driven hydraulic pump for the power steering and then a crank driven pump to run the forks. At first I was not sure where to add oil, but it looks like you add it to the power steering drive unit, at least that is the only place I can find to add any oil. I am going to see what the local clark dealer has for info on the machine.

I also found out that michelin makes a 12.5R20 XL tire for the military and they are a bit wider, but they are the same height as a 9.00 20 tire (40"), so I may try and upgrade to tubeless tires, just need to figure out how to make the offsets correct. My Dad said he had some that had the centers riveted to the rim, he ground out the rivets and moved them to the offset he wanted, then welded them up. This was on a tractor type off road vehicle, so speed is not an issue, I looked at some of the rims that I have and they are riveted, so it may be doable.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I worked for that company back in 1980, maybe osha didn't have that policy then, a lot has changed in the last 35 yrs.

 

[Strouty]

I know we were all discussing the issue of outside storage, the main ram has a cap that when the forks are all the way down it completely covers the top of the cylinder, so no water issues with this.




The step is probably going to take me out one of these days, so I plan on adding some cool aluminum ones I pulled off a fire truck.





They will be mounted in further, almost flush with the cab, I wanted them to be seen in the picture because they are just cool!




I found a nice metal toolbox that I think I will mount to the back deck of the machine to hold a few shackles and straps.




I think I figured out the antifreeze leak, but I won't know until I run it again. I doubled up on hose clamps, so we will see, it did not seem like the hose was cracked, it was just soft and the old clamp did not want to tighten any more.

 

[slowzuki]

A lot of Ford industrial tractors had the power steering pump on the engine and the aux pump on the crank for a loader and sometimes another pump in the transmission. They usually had separate reservoirs for the power steering pump, just a tiny one.

 

[nine4gmc]

The old forklift I owned had a Dodge slant six in it. IIRC, the power steering pump was on the engine. IDK if I would put those steps on there sticking out like that Strouty, my luck I would catch a pallet rack or shelf with one and knock it over.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I know I would be hitting every thing with them sticking out.

 

[Strouty]

I only did that to show you what they look like, they will be almost flush with the edge of the cab. I would definitely take something out with them stick out that far. When I tried to take the picture where they are going you couldn't see them and I thought they are too cool not to include in the picture.

I took what I thought was the last load of scrap over to the junkyard, then after looking over my newly acquired steel, I decided to scrap most of it too. So I kept the things that I can sell and a few things that I wanted, my Brother took a couple pieces and then I dumped another 2500 pounds off at the scrap yard.

I really did not get much accomplished today, I did get a battery for the F350 snow plow, so I guess that is something. Still did not drill the holes in the forks and I need to do a bit of paperwork tonight, so it looks like it will be another day before that gets done. Snap On driver came by this afternoon and gave me a new coat. He really liked the fork lift, so we must have spent 20 minutes looking it over, he thought the articulated steering was cool.

I will update with pictures tomorrow for sure.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: i remember you saying you might sell the fork lift and then i read you said it wouldn't pass OSHA without new forks so i might hold off drilling holes in the forks in case you want to sell it. you find so many great deals i'm betting you'll find even a better fork lift this winter when some of the guys are selling off some of their stuff at the end of the year or buying new equipment for next year's new jobs.

your call, but if they are unique sized forks you might want to keep from drilling a hole or two in them. maybe make a sleeve that somehow can be bolted or stay on that has a trailer hitch attached to it?

Almost got nothing done but dropped off a ton at the scrapper and another load at the dump. your standards have risen and hopefully you are not throwing stuff away that you'll have to pay a premium for on your next job.

take care and keep up the good work and ORGANIZING.

cheers,

MR. TEETER

 

[Tommo3]

Hi Strouty, is it the 945 16v turbo project that you want to scrap? Did it ever come together?

 

[Strouty]

Drives, not likely I will sell the forklift, it is going to be a pet project and it is worth its weight in gold right now. I do not thing that I can find another one the is 4x4 in this price range unless it had a blown motor or some other major issue.

Tommo, the project is a 940 5.0 mustang V8. I am putting it on hold and have decided to give it until this spring to see if I can either make something of it or sell it as parts. I have most of the engine parts to make a 16 valve turbo, but I ran out of ambition a while ago. I think I overwhelmed myself with projects, now I am trying to pick and choose with a little more thought process rather than all willy nilly.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You say you didn't get much done, it sounds like you got quite a bit done. Remember one step at a time.

 

[Strouty]

It felt like I was spinning my wheels, my Dad decided he needed his truck back before I got to use it, so I spent a couple hours driving for no reason, no big deal and I am grateful that I can use it at all. I am probably going to grab the tractor trailer in the morning and try and get that brown building/shed loaded up. It is supposed to go to one of our tower sites and I would like it gone anyways.

 

[cat06]

I know you want laminated safety glass, but have you considered using tempered glass? I was playing on just this one site and to get a piece 3 foot x 3 foot with rounded corners in 1/4 inch it didn't seem that expensive, about 150 if I remember correctly.
I personally wouldn't have a problem using tempered instead of laminated, in fact pretty sure most on my equipment does have it.
Tempered is like the glass in your auto side windows that when broken busts into little pieces
Just a thought in case you may have overlooked it

forgot the link

http://www.dullesglassandmirror.com/tempered-glass.asp

 

[Strouty]

I had not thought about tempered glass. I think the laminated stuff may be more flexible. I wonder if the jarring of the machines could break the tempered glass? Another area to investigate.

 

[dlcwent]

I had not thought about tempered glass. I think the laminated stuff may be more flexible. I wonder if the jarring of the machines could break the tempered glass? Another area to investigate.

Is there a rubber gasket around the glass?

 

[Strouty]

There will be, I have to order the gasket material, but I need to take some measurements to make sure I get enough of it to do the excavator and the forklift. I am going to order a few pieces of glass and start messing with it, I figure I have to start somewhere.

I had to swap out trucks, again, now I have the tractor trailer in my yard too. Hopefully I can get the brown building/shed loaded. I am going to try using the forklift, but I am pretty sure it is not going to work without longer forks or fork extensions. I do figure it is worth a try before I give up. I know I can load it with the crane, but then I have to figure out how to unload it, so if I can do it with the forklift I may be able to take the forklift over with the building and unload it. That is my theory, but I don't always theorize things the correct way.

 

[bulletpruf]

127 pages? I read the first page and the last. Anyone care to summarize what happens in between?

 

[nine4gmc]

I think the lexan would be my first choice.

Bulletpruf, lots of organizing and reorganizing, tons of scrap and breathtaking views. Give it a read through when you get time.


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk

 

[Strouty]

I don't want to have to replace it again in ten years. I know I could break a window, but the windows rarely get cloudy to the point of no vidibility.

 

[nine4gmc]

Will the forklift last another 10yrs? It's a 50/50 shot either way IMO.

Without looking back, I can't remember if the corners are rounded or not but if so, you will hate trying to put glass in there.


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk

 

[dlcwent]

Nines, didn't you know Strouty is a glass bender from way back. It was a talent he picked up from an old soothsayer years ago.

 

[Strouty]

DLC, as always the comedian.

Nines, they are mostly rounded corners. I watched youtube videos, it is easy!

The way I keep things, the forklift will outlast me. I really want to do this to learn the skill, I have to replace all the old lexan in the excavator as well, there are only two windows you can see out of and it is a bit scary.

 

[Strouty]

Why is it every time I get to the point where I can/should do something, I find something else to do that ends up not being as important?

I really need to work on this, it is getting down right annoying. Between today and yesterday I must have spent 5 hours driving just swapping vehicles around, now I have a tractor trailer in the way and no good place to put it. I am only slightly frustrated, well maybe that is exaggerating things, I am totally frustrated. I know I need to just go do something, but looking at my to do list 3/4 of it is inside stuff and the remaining quarter is stuff that I either need parts for or will take more time than I have at this moment.

I guess I need to make a new list with small goals and quick things that are priorities, kind of like a filler for the bigger stuff. Anyways, it is just starting to feel "warm" outside, so I am headed back out to try and get a few more things loaded onto pallets so I can commence moving stuff around.

 

[mdbeck1]

Why is it every time I get to the point where I can/should do something, I find something else to do that ends up not being as important?

I really need to work on this, it is getting down right annoying. Between today and yesterday I must have spent 5 hours driving just swapping vehicles around, now I have a tractor trailer in the way and no good place to put it. I am only slightly frustrated, well maybe that is exaggerating things, I am totally frustrated. I know I need to just go do something, but looking at my to do list 3/4 of it is inside stuff and the remaining quarter is stuff that I either need parts for or will take more time than I have at this moment.

I guess I need to make a new list with small goals and quick things that are priorities, kind of like a filler for the bigger stuff. Anyways, it is just starting to feel "warm" outside, so I am headed back out to try and get a few more things loaded onto pallets so I can commence moving stuff around.

You might want to save some of that "inside stuff" for when the "white stuff" blocks the door and won't let you do any "outside stuff".

X2 on making a list of the stuff that has quick goals. It helps to get you focused.

 

[Strouty]

Agreed, the white stuff is not far behind, I know that. I think the biggest issue that I have is I need to get a survey done on the lot the shop is on, things are pretty messed up and the stuff I would like to do involves cutting trees and moving earth, I found the most up to date plot plan and it is awful, the neighbor has trash pilled all over my back corner, I will need to deal with it. Until I get it surveyed, I have nothing to back up my claim. The lots are really strange, a few of them are parallelograms, while mine is a rectangle and the neighbor behind me has some weird slice for the drive way (also includes a right of way across my property). There is also a ROW on the front section that seems to show the existing road, but I am not sure, I can't find two irons that allow me to get a good picture of the lots. I have found the opposite corners, but the others are no where to be found. I also looked for my neighbors across the street, because they have property lines that are parallel to mine, I was hoping to use them as a reference point. Of course because of the forklift I can't afford to do a survey and once the snow hits, it probably would be a real PITA, plus add more costs.

I think I may just move things to the back corner in order of perceived importance, because if the layout is as I think, I would be wasting a lot of usable space to set things up without the survey.

 

[Strouty]

I am going to try something, I am not tired, just not motivated, I am going to take a 5 hour energy and see if it gets me moving.

It is either that or pack up for the day, because I am just completely out of the groove.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Be careful with them 5 hours drinks, They scare me, I have listen to too many strange heart beats after people have used them.

 

[nine4gmc]

x2 be careful. Doctors don't even recommend them, bad for your heart.

 

[Strouty]

I can feel it, but it is too late now. If I don't post in the next 24 hours call 911.

As bad as they may be it kicked me into gear and I have done more in the last hour than I have all day. I put a bunch of things away, stacked up some concrete forms and banded them together. I have to shuffle a couple trucks now so I can get the dumpster emptied. I guess the fork lift will end up in the shop again. Tonight I am going to try and make a game plan. I also called a local surveyor, I figure I can at least get a quote, then I know what to budget. I am pretty happy with the idea of not getting too carried away with outside organization this year, I think if I rush things it will just be more work in the spring. All of the steel is galvanized so it won't hurt it any, I just need to get it all out of the way for plowing. Who knows what next week will be for weather, so I can take it one step at a time.

 

[Tommo3]

Drives, not likely I will sell the forklift, it is going to be a pet project and it is worth its weight in gold right now. I do not thing that I can find another one the is 4x4 in this price range unless it had a blown motor or some other major issue.

Tommo, the project is a 940 5.0 mustang V8. I am putting it on hold and have decided to give it until this spring to see if I can either make something of it or sell it as parts. I have most of the engine parts to make a 16 valve turbo, but I ran out of ambition a while ago. I think I overwhelmed myself with projects, now I am trying to pick and choose with a little more thought process rather than all willy nilly.

If you can't see yourself getting the project done just give yourself time to sell for a decent price. Once its converted to cash its easier to store

Is there no way to buy the neighbour out? Would save on commutes and confrontations !

 

[Strouty]

Tommo, I would love to own both properties, but he would ask way too much and the house is trashed inside. Maybe someday, when I win the lottery.

Cash definitely stores better than any other object I have ever owned, but it also seems to disappear faster too. This forum could bankrupt a billionaire.

Originally I was going to take the 945 and stuff the 5.0 in it, but I am a chevy guy and not really thrilled about it. Of course the dizzy is on the wrong end of the chevy, but I thought about converting to the newer coil pack style 6.0 liter engine. All it takes is time and money, I always have lots of time when I have no money and I never have any time when I have the money. It is the way of my business, someday I hope to have a better savings account, but when I run into deals, well you know.

I got a few more things picked up and the forklift is inside for the night, it is supposed to be raining for the next few days, and some idiot tossed the windshield plexiglass in the dumpster. I did however find a piece of 7" channel iron that seems like I may be able to make some fork extensions out of it. I can get a new piece for $140 and that would give me 8' extensions, the piece I have will only allow for 6' extensions. I don't know the best route, I got a price of $450 for a 17' piece of 7" x 3" x 3/8" tube, I know that would be rugged as can be, but that was without shipping, so I could see $600 or $700 total. I may be able to get forks for $1500.

Another thought is the local truck place can bend up custom frame rails, so maybe I can get them to bend me some 8' pieces that fit tight to the forks, this would be better, because I could get a taller lip and they would be stronger than the channel iron.

 

[Strouty]

Well, I just spent a little time on the phone with a sales rep, the forks that I have are considered "negative drop" and he can make them to my exact specs. He also told me that he can put a hole in each fork and include a certificate that will make OSHA happy. Best part is 72" forks are about $1100 shipped to my door. Sounds like I will be doing that rather than messing with fork extensions. He quoted me for 4" wide by 2" thick, rated at 8,000 pounds, he has 5" wide by 2" thick that are rated at 11,000 pounds and he thought they would not be much more. Either way, I am very happy about this and glad I made the call.

 

[matt_i]

I read back some and maybe I missed it, but what are the fork extensions for?

I went with 5" x 2" x 60" Class 3 Cascade-Kenhar forks that I picked up at their plant in Ohio. Tougher to "spear" pallets but the upside is they are awesome for rigging machinery which is why I bought the machine in the first place. The original ones were almost sharp on the tips, and short, around 48" maybe designed for picking llifts of plywood apart. With the 60" dimension I can easily get to the centerline of a 8'6" semi or gooseneck trailer to load or unload stuff.

 

[Strouty]

I have a building/shed to load and the current forks are only 4'. I really need to be able to do the same thing that you are describing. I was thinking 60", but 72" will allow me to pick a few things that are just over five feet.

 

[slowzuki]

I assume you mean just over 5 ft load centre.

Can cheat a bit further load centre with a chain from up high on the the load back to the fork rack as well. I've only got 42" forks and you can move 8 ft+ wide stuff pretty easily this way. Moved a shed this way a couple of years ago, works great!

I have a building/shed to load and the current forks are only 4'. I really need to be able to do the same thing that you are describing. I was thinking 60", but 72" will allow me to pick a few things that are just over five feet.

 

[Wanna Ride]

I guess I need to make a new list with small goals and quick things that are priorities, kind of like a filler for the bigger stuff.

First thing on that list should be clear off that top shelf and ship that TXT to me. I promise it will make you feel a lot better.

 

[Strouty]

My new skid winch is made of two beams that I need the longer forks to span, otherwise it could become damaged. Also as Matt said, loading and unloading trailers, it is nice to be able to easily reach the middle of the trailer. I think that having the longer forks will be good for general outdoor usage, of course the extra 2' will make for less maneuverability, but I am sure I can overcome this. My Dad's forklift has 6' forks and I liked using them a lot, I will have to really assess things, because once I get them, I can't change my mind. I did not ask if they could do 5'6", that may be just enough to get things done. I will need to take some measurements just to see if 5' would work. Basically I want them as short as possible, but long enough. Does that make sense?