I am buying a 40x60x16 red iron building and planning to do the install myself. The issue is the building will be delivered months before the pad is ready, and I'm trying to avoid renting my neighbors telehandler twice. The broker is telling me I will be fine unloading it with my 65 HP tractor but I am skeptical about it. I don't want to find out its stacked too high or too heavy once the truck is at the lot! Does anyone have any experience unloading one of these and how did you do it?
Unloading a 40X60X16 Red Iron building
- Thread starter StefanNH
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OneEyedMan
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I’ve moved red iron building pieces with a 125hp tractor. It’s good for a ton at least and it was none too big. Your tractor could probably move the pieces but may have trouble with them in the bundles as shipped. Might have to cut bands and move more individual pieces or small groups.
readhead
Well-known member
I doubt that your tractor will work for everything. Some of the lifts can be a couple of thousand pounds and you will be lifting rafters that are over 20' long. I would be concerned about the stability of your tractor. The telehandler will be much safer.
Rusted Nut
Well-known member
What’s your tractors lifting capacity? What the heaviest piece of the load?
They won't give me an exact number but I can pick up about a ton.
That's what I'm leaning towards. I'd rather get everything off loaded without incident and getting the telehandler is just a matter of trading my time for his machine.
LopezBart
Well-known member
The bundles can be quite heavy, but cutting the bundle straps on the truck can/will cause problems. My shop has no large heavy beams, and some of the bundles were still quite heavy. Go with the telehandler... and have lots of clear space with dunnage ready to layout the materials. If you have limited access (my shop is in a wooded clearing), laying out materials so they're in the order needed will save some time and energy... and don't forget to leave plenty of space for the concrete folks to have access around the site. Drawing up a site plan w/ material locations, etc. is worth while.
That Guy Scott
Well-known member
This is a 40x50x14. I unloaded with a skid steer and forks. A little sketchy but it’s all we had. ^^^LopezBart has some great advice
A 65 hp tractor can unload one, but it really depends on how the bundle shows up. Some loads are broken down into manageable, others come stacked higher and heavier than you expect. The longest rafters and column bundles are usually what get sketchy, not the sheet metal.
I’ve seen guys unload with tractors by sliding pieces off one at a time rather than lifting full bundles. If you go that route, make sure you’ve got plenty of room, forks long enough, and a plan before the truck shows up. Personally, if timing allows, I’d rather borrow or rent the telehandler once and be done than be rushed with a truck waiting.
Codyboy
Well-known member
Surely more than that but idk.
My mahindra 6065 has a loader capacity of 3609 lbs.
If you have forks it should be no problem.
If you're going to pick it with slings or chains it still shouldn't be an issue but i would get some ground help thay can sling it and have a tag line on it to keep the load from swinging around.
I would save the money for the telehandler for the erection stage. Because you will definitely need it along with a scissor lift or two.
Smilodon
Well-known member
I think if you can get the telehandler from a neighbor (lucky you!), you should bite the bullet and go for that. The other advantage is that you get some experience moving the pieces with the same telehandler you would be using to actually help in installing it.
readhead
Well-known member
With the telehandler you will be able to unload both sides of the trailer from one side which is infinitely easier.
What happens if you get half the load off with the tractor and then can’t get the next pick.
Get the telehandler.
What happens if you get half the load off with the tractor and then can’t get the next pick.
Get the telehandler.
OneEyedMan
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I’m sure the Mahindra is stout but lift capacity does not specifically mean how much weight the tractor can pick from a flatbed and maneuver to unload. I play with tractors and telehandlers and there is a great value in margins. I’m cheap as a habit and renting a lift to mitigate the risk of dropping parts or hurting a helper is still something I do when away from our operation.
We’ve done sketchy stuff when forced to but planning can keep that from happening.
markietas
Well-known member
Not to mention that lift capacity is assuming the leverage point of a bucket, not forks.
My backhoe has a rated capacity over 4000lbs but it won't lift an actual pallet anywhere close to that.
nadogail
Well-known member
Sometimes you just have to get creative.
I saw a large printing press slid off a truck and lowered into a Concrete pit by using blocks of ice. As the Ice melted it was slowly lowered into place.
Do not allow your thinking to confined into someone else’s box.
I saw a large printing press slid off a truck and lowered into a Concrete pit by using blocks of ice. As the Ice melted it was slowly lowered into place.
Do not allow your thinking to confined into someone else’s box.
Thanks for the pictures, Unfortunately the site is in the woods and tight, so its going to be a trick to unload no matter what. I have gotten semi trucks in and out of the area before but never had to unload one with a lift, usually we load logs with a grapple!This is a 40x50x14. I unloaded with a skid steer and forks. A little sketchy but it’s all we had. ^^^LopezBart has some great advice
Also debated building a series of gantries and supporting the whole load at once! Not sure how much the whole building weighs but it can't weigh more than 40 ton!
Agreed, plus then it will be easier to get out of the way for the concrete work. Due to how the area is set up I can only unload one side of the truck at a time.
My tractor is a 1974 Oliver 1365. It's an absolute beast and can pick up some amazingly heavy logs and pallets but I have had to do some welding on the loader cause of it! I'll give it a try once the load is on the ground as I'm sure I'll have to move the materials anyways, but for safety's sake and for the time of the truck driver I'm going to use the telehandler. All it should cost me is replacing the undercarriage on the owners Kubota...
Good to know thanks!