Vintage Clark Forklift

[930dreamer]

I looked at this today, everything works, needs new tires and probably some charging work. Sellers asking $1200, indoor use only for me. Any idea on model/year? Thank you.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Tires are expensive. If it runs and no leaks etc it may be worth it. I picked up a newer running no leaks 70s clark for 2500. I see them for 2 to 3k in good condition all the time.

 

[rsanter]

I just bought a running (runs poorly) 1979 Clark forklift for $1500.
That one is very very vintage, unless it runs good (very good) I don’t think I would bother at that price.
I’m starting to lear just how expensive it can be to have any work done on a forklift.

And as for tires, if it is just for your own occasional use I would not replace the tires if they are not causing an issue

 

[dr_clyde]

That looks like a lot of headaches.

I bought my 5k lbs 90’s Mitsubishi for 2k and it all works.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Warehouse tires have to be pressed on and are expensive overall. My pneumatic chinese tires were $280 installed if I took the wheels in to the shop. Older towmotor brake shoes were $600 for two wheels 15-20 years ago when I put some on for a guy. They came in a Cat box, and priced accordingly. I am running a mid-sixties Mustang master cylinder on my unit. Cylinder kit was $140. Lift chains were $1,200 from the lift dealer, I replaced them with generic lift chain, 32 feet shipped to my door for $196. A private owner has to get creative sometimes to afford a forklift.

 

[cvairwerks]

Probably a 2k or 3k rated unit from the 60's. by the time you haul it, put tires on it and catch up all the maintenance, you're into the same $ as a 5k unit that doesn't need anything.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Probably a 2k or 3k rated unit from the 60's. by the time you haul it, put tires on it and catch up all the maintenance, you're into the same $ as a 5k unit that doesn't need anything.

Pretty much. In my case, I bought mine scrap and did a full engine rebuild, rebuilt most other things on it, painted it, and ended up with $1,800 in it in 2001, so I came out ok from a money standpoint. You gotta know your limits though.

 

[rustyjames]

I have a 73 Clark and by guessing that one is 50's, early 60's.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I have only seen one of these Clark clippers before. I wanted it sooo bad.

 

[930dreamer]

I was worried the tires would be spendy, i like it but could probably find a nicer forklift.

 

[crane operator]

You may think you will be indoor only, but you'll want to get outside and pull something off a truck, and then the little warehouse ones are stuck, and if its in mud, they are really stuck.

Go for something with pneumatic tires. You'll find it much more useful. I own both styles, and the little warehouse one I own is nice in the building, but I would sell it before my outside capable forklift.

$2,500-3,000 will put you into a decades newer lift, and one with a roll bar. I got a buddy a nice 90's clark a year or two ago for around $2,000, and its a nice lift.

https://lubbock.craigslist.org/hvo/d/littlefield-forklift/6964061034.html

https://amarillo.craigslist.org/grd/d/amarillo-toyota-forklift/6966002514.html

 

[OccupantRJ]

I was worried the tires would be spendy, i like it but could probably find a nicer forklift.

Looks like there are some cheaper press on tires these days than years ago.
https://www.google.com/search?ei=jZ...j30i10j0i67j0i7i30j0i13j0i13i5i30.3nH8if49rFg

 

[Farmall450]

50s/60s, not worth that in that shape w/out good rubber. Paid 500 for a bigger, better shape gaser than has only needed a tube and a tuneup so far.

 

[lis2323]

It’s up to you but I would definitely pass. Around here the seller would be laughed off the planet for trying to get more than scrap price.

Others have given good advice. You will be better served spending a little more money for a better one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[930dreamer]

Spotted this Cat T40B, how hot does an engine need to get to blow a head gasket?

 

[atomicpunk]

Did a head gasket on a T40B many moons ago when I was just starting out. It had a 4 cylinder Continental engine in it, blew between 2 and 3 cylinder. Didn't overheat, the guys I worked with said they do that sometimes. Bought a new head from LPM parts + new head gasket and was still running 12 years later when the co. was sold.

 

[dr_clyde]

Are you just wanting a project to tinker on or do you need a forklift to do some work with?

If you don't mind fussing with old LP engines that Cat is MILES better than the old clark. If all it needs is a head gasket and the rest of it is in good shape, I would pay up to $800 or so for it.

But if you need a forklift to get something done, hard pass.

I wouldn't pay more than scrap for any forklift that I couldn't fire up and immediately do work with. Even then, I would deduct the towing bill from the cost, as that isn't free. A non running forklift is a huge PIA to get around.

In this neck of the woods, 2k gets you a running, working lift. Not a very nice one sometimes, but use-able.

If your time is free and you have the know how, you can resurrect these old things pretty easily, but you don't want to pay for the privilege.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Everytime the foreman put me in the forklift shop ,I felt I was being punished.

 

[454ragtop]

Couple pics of my Clark from the late 60's, that one in the first post is likely from the 40's, early 50's at the latest, I'd guess. Before I got this one, I had an old hard tire Allis Chalmers, that thing got stuck soon as it had 1 tire off pavement, even hard packed areas. If you think you'll go off pavement at all, look for a lift with pneumatic tires.

 

[930dreamer]

$3K for both; are these pneumatic tires?

 

[lis2323]

They look like solids. Hard to tell on my phone. They MAY be semi pneumatic.

 

[dr_clyde]

Now that’s getting more in the neighborhood of useable.

Those are a soft cushion tire. They are a combination of a regular cushion and the benefits of pneumatic tires. That’s really good for off pavement and high capacity.

 

[tc429]

kinda sad what forklifts are 'worth'...used unless ready to go, theyre typically scrap price. work was scrapping two out- I talked them out of them... they even delivered the clark to my house, once I gt it running enough to get on a trailer... all up only got 800 bucks in it, and aside from some dents in the wheels I couldnt beat out, it would pass for a year old, thing ended up a really great truck... everything is heavy, think I had 5 weeks of evenings in it, as a sick hobby, worth every penny wish it was smaller though, it takes a little room, and the rear end is super heavy- get one tire off the concrete, youre a foot deep in the grass

 

[pelletman]

You didn't say what you were using it for but unless you have a lot of space that will be a pain in the *** to maneuver inside. There are much smaller lifts with plenty of capacity which will be much more usable. Also side shift is nice. I would stay away from early Clarks unless they are really nice. Those continental motors are notorious for blowing head gaskets

 

[IndyGarage]

I probably wouldn't give $500 for the OP's forklift. Buy one from the 80s or 90s for a bit more money and you'll get a much better machine.

The older ones have much weaker hydraulics, no sideshift, no power steering, and don't get into tight spaces nearly as well.

 

[lis2323]

The older ones have much weaker hydraulics, no sideshift, no power steering, and don't get into tight spaces nearly as well.

And most likely have THREE pedals [emoji33]

 

[ChrisLS8]

It would be a fun project

 

[milwaukeephil]

I know I've posted this before, but I can't resist showing off my Clark. No idea on the year.

 

[tc429]

I know I've posted this before, but I can't resist showing off my Clark. No idea on the year.

now THAT is awesome

 

[matt_i]

The OP got a Clark Clipper forklift. 2K capacity, handy as can be and might be able to fit thru a 36" wide doorframe (!!)

Ive never seen one up close & personal but I think its 40s-50s vintage. Likely flathead 4 cylinder. I would recommend usual stuff of ditch anything 6 volt and go immediately to 12volts. Ditch any generator for a 30A mini alternator and replace all of the ignition components you can.

Its probable that the mast leaks and will have to be sealed. Also be careful I don't think it has any free-lift on the mast and thus gains height immediately as the forks come up. That can damage things overhead.