I was farting around on Hemmings.com the other day and ran into the above. Pretty rad, right? It's a Crosley powered forklift built just after the war and I'm in love wi...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
- Thread starter Ryan
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I was farting around on Hemmings.com the other day and ran into the above. Pretty rad, right? It's a Crosley powered forklift built just after the war and I'm in love wi...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Nice...what's that gonna set you back?
drivesitfar
Well-known member
i'd love a little one like that. nice find Ryan. i'm curious how it works almost as much as what you had to pay for it.
good luck
good luck
OP
Oh, I didn't buy it... I just WANT it.
Falcon67
Well-known member
"Gavabutu Ordinance Depot"? Is that a prop from In Harm's Way?
I always remember walking into a machinists property in North California where one of my buddies was picking up a freshly turned crankshaft. One of the first things I saw was an old forklift with a Chrysler industrial hemi with aftermarket valve covers, a Model AA dually and inside the shop a Vega funny car body hanging from the ceiling and a Donovan 417 hemi. The machinery was restored and was impeccable. That was 25 years ago and I will never forget it.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
We used to have a pettibone almost identical to that. Bought it for $300. Used it for 10 years or so only ever fixed random stuff on it and rebuilt the brakes. Then got a newer 4 wheeled yale and scraped the old pettibone. Its a shame but nobody wanted to pay anything for it. Got way more money for scrap. It still ran great and worked good. Just didn't need two and it was in the way.
marty_p
Well-known member
Nice size unit, Ryan. And it's probably something you would use more than you can imagine.
We used to have a huge Pettitbone Army Surplus forklift at my work, and while I never got to operate it, did I ever love hearing it and seeing it in action!
We used to have a huge Pettitbone Army Surplus forklift at my work, and while I never got to operate it, did I ever love hearing it and seeing it in action!
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Wow, that thing is like the Marilyn Monroe of forklifts. Beautiful with curves and bulges in all the right places.
Didn't know there could be such a thing as an elegant looking forklift.
Didn't know there could be such a thing as an elegant looking forklift.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
Used to have an old 3-wheeled hyster, had the same old flat-head engine as old willis jeeps...
IndyGarage
Well-known member
So one thing you will figure out quickly if you buy a forklift is that the newer ones are way better than older ones.
I would much prefer a 10-15 year old beater than something 30-40 years old. The hydraulics are better, the handling is better and they are much safer.
That old one is cool looking, but trust me on this, buy a mid 90's model and you'll be way ahead.
The thing about a forklift is you find tons of uses for it after you get one. And sometime not too soon after you figure out you are lifting up some heavy stuff and it's dangerous to lift heavy stuff. Fortunately I learned this lesson the first time I rolled 1000lbs of steel off the skid I was messing around with - and it was only 6 inches off the floor. If it had been 6 feet off the floor - which is where I was going to put it - or 12 feet off the floor where I could have put it, then it would have been disastrous.
It's like the first time you bought a floor jack and didn't know you needed jack stands along with it - just go under the car and work, right?
That lift has three wheels, which have to be a compromise on anything but a perfectly flat floor. It has no overhead protection or rollover protection. It probably doesn't have power steering. It probably has bad brakes, and the hydraulic controls are probably jerky and poorly responsive, whereas you need precise control to pick and place heavy things safely.
I would much prefer a 10-15 year old beater than something 30-40 years old. The hydraulics are better, the handling is better and they are much safer.
That old one is cool looking, but trust me on this, buy a mid 90's model and you'll be way ahead.
The thing about a forklift is you find tons of uses for it after you get one. And sometime not too soon after you figure out you are lifting up some heavy stuff and it's dangerous to lift heavy stuff. Fortunately I learned this lesson the first time I rolled 1000lbs of steel off the skid I was messing around with - and it was only 6 inches off the floor. If it had been 6 feet off the floor - which is where I was going to put it - or 12 feet off the floor where I could have put it, then it would have been disastrous.
It's like the first time you bought a floor jack and didn't know you needed jack stands along with it - just go under the car and work, right?
That lift has three wheels, which have to be a compromise on anything but a perfectly flat floor. It has no overhead protection or rollover protection. It probably doesn't have power steering. It probably has bad brakes, and the hydraulic controls are probably jerky and poorly responsive, whereas you need precise control to pick and place heavy things safely.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
^^^ +1
Some other tips are, find machines that are off-lease from big box stores like Walmart. They had service contracts so were maintained regularly.
Also, don't be afraid to look all over the country. We've been able to find better quality forklifts out of state, have them trucked here, and it still ends up being cheaper than what the local dealers want for their worn out junk.
Talk to a local service guy. He will tell you models & brands to avoid, things to look for, etc... Also if you go to look at a machine, it can be handy to call him up and get instant feedback.
Forklifts for the most part are pretty simple, an engine & hydraulics... But parts can be expensive or hard to find for some old oddball models. Usually engines are okay, it's leaky seals on the pistons or worn hydraulic lines or the drum brakes pistons leaking.
We have a couple forklifts, but 99% of the time I find myself using the smallest one, which is rated for like 2500 or 3000 lbs... Usually I'm just lifting stuff that is in the hundreds of pounds, or just a bulky pallet of stuff to put on the upper deck. It's the convenience of having the machine do it vs making a bunch of trips up and down the stairs.
Some people burn a hole in the end of their fork to put a ball on to move trailers. Forklifts are very convenient to move trailers and you can maneuver them right up against a wall if need be. However, that's not really a safe way to do it. I found a piece of thick-wall square tubing that would slide onto the end of the forks at 45-degrees and wedge itself on tight. I drilled a hole on the edge of the tubing to screw the ball onto that. I just slide it on when I need it, and have a little sledge to bump it off. That way too I can use it on any forklift. I made a second one out of a piece of round pipe that fit snug. To keep it from spinning I welded a piece of bar across inside.
If you can get a forklift with side-shift, it is worth the extra money! Even if they have to add it on for you (which is usually pretty cheap). Makes life so much easier than trying to line up perfect with something, or if you are in a tight space and need to slide the forks over so you can turn tighter to get out.
Most lifts are 2-stage which go to like 120-130", which is enough to get to a typical deck above an office. 3-stage go like 180-190".... But you sacrifice visibility because there is another layer of masts in front of you, and I doubt you need to go that high.
Browse around on http://www.eliftruck.com
Some other tips are, find machines that are off-lease from big box stores like Walmart. They had service contracts so were maintained regularly.
Also, don't be afraid to look all over the country. We've been able to find better quality forklifts out of state, have them trucked here, and it still ends up being cheaper than what the local dealers want for their worn out junk.
Talk to a local service guy. He will tell you models & brands to avoid, things to look for, etc... Also if you go to look at a machine, it can be handy to call him up and get instant feedback.
Forklifts for the most part are pretty simple, an engine & hydraulics... But parts can be expensive or hard to find for some old oddball models. Usually engines are okay, it's leaky seals on the pistons or worn hydraulic lines or the drum brakes pistons leaking.
We have a couple forklifts, but 99% of the time I find myself using the smallest one, which is rated for like 2500 or 3000 lbs... Usually I'm just lifting stuff that is in the hundreds of pounds, or just a bulky pallet of stuff to put on the upper deck. It's the convenience of having the machine do it vs making a bunch of trips up and down the stairs.
Some people burn a hole in the end of their fork to put a ball on to move trailers. Forklifts are very convenient to move trailers and you can maneuver them right up against a wall if need be. However, that's not really a safe way to do it. I found a piece of thick-wall square tubing that would slide onto the end of the forks at 45-degrees and wedge itself on tight. I drilled a hole on the edge of the tubing to screw the ball onto that. I just slide it on when I need it, and have a little sledge to bump it off. That way too I can use it on any forklift. I made a second one out of a piece of round pipe that fit snug. To keep it from spinning I welded a piece of bar across inside.
If you can get a forklift with side-shift, it is worth the extra money! Even if they have to add it on for you (which is usually pretty cheap). Makes life so much easier than trying to line up perfect with something, or if you are in a tight space and need to slide the forks over so you can turn tighter to get out.
Most lifts are 2-stage which go to like 120-130", which is enough to get to a typical deck above an office. 3-stage go like 180-190".... But you sacrifice visibility because there is another layer of masts in front of you, and I doubt you need to go that high.
Browse around on http://www.eliftruck.com
sberry
Banned
That's nice. Most old lifts are a pia with old engines but it looks like a full height lift.
Skidonenko
Well-known member
You have to love it for what it is. And keep in perspective its application and capabilities. The mast/carriage looks built like a raymond walkie stacker (~2000lb capacity). Used within its limitations and this thing would be awesome, no elevated docks or pits around though. Might not be too bad to come up with an overhead guard/cage. Round tube might look good on it.
3 wheel forklifts with treaded tires are still made aplenty. They are not mountain goats but serve their purpose.
I hear stuff like this driving my 61 falcon as a daily driver. Manual steering, 3 on the tree, 4 wheel drums, no ac, no heat, no radio, no seat belts, vacuum wipers. I also do not go driving it like it is a f-1 car in rush hour traffic.
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GreenMtnMan
Well-known member
Having one around the shop is a huge asset. A few years ago I got a 1948 Towmotor. Original 62 cubic inch Continental flathead, has a clutch and two speed transmission. 1500# capacity, takes up a three by five foot floorspace. Lifts to 108". All I had to do was replace a ring gear on the left drive wheel.
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Some of us prefer to have cool old stuff, like a Streamline-styled Crosley forklift, rather than run-of-the-mill things you see in every warehouse or big box store in the US.
If you're using it every day in a business setting, then yes, newer and safer, and easy-to-find service and parts will be important.
If you're using it a few times a month at home for your hobby, then old and cool may be just the ticket if that's your thing. Like having a '40 Ford pickup or whatever to take to car club events or the local drive-in instead of a brand new F-150 or whatever.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
My buddy bought an old fork lift for the hydraulic setup. He had built his own home from a barn and he and his wife lived on the upper floor with a beautiful view of the surrounding country. After he retired he got tired of dragging groceries and everything for the home up the two flights of steps, so he set up the forks next to the third floor deck. After buying a hydraulic pump and tank he had a very nice elevator for sending the supplies up and down from the garage to the house. Sure miss Ray!
Mark in Indiana
Well-known member
I think it is a great show piece and I bet that it's a hoot to play on. But it looks impractical. Along with some other comments, it looks like there is no way to tilt the forks. The single steer wheel is a good thing for tighter spaces and it looks like it has a 2 speed transmission (low for carrying loads). I wonder what the capacity is. It looks like there is no counterweight.
Thanks for this feature. My have forklifts come a long way.
Thanks for this feature. My have forklifts come a long way.
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
kent_323is
Well-known member
I used to use an old hyster just like this one at a college, and it had the old Wisconsin motor on it. The counterweight is built into the rear, that is all very thick cast steel. That one had tilting forks, but I think the cylinders are sort of hidden. It had leaks internal on the hydraulic controls, so the boom would always creep down. I was always amazed they kept it around in the college environment with the risk of liability. It was a hoot to drive, and could really get into some tight spots.
I like the way it looks, and is great for a garage/shop with an interest in vintage stuff. Keep in mind that most forklifts have their rated capacity at about 24" out on the forks. So if you are lifting a load that is uneven, and more of the load is at the tip of the forks, it decreases the capacity that you can lift.
I have also made a clamp on style ball for moving around trailers. I also made a slide-on cross tube with a hook for lifting loads with straps or chains. 4" square tube, 1/2" steel plate, and large hook.
I much prefer my mid-80's Komatsu forklift with 4 tires, and more capacity (3500lbs). Altho I have seen these old ones for sale before, and you just never know what might follow me home! A second one could always come in handy!
The OP did a nice job restoring it, and I bet enjoys using it for all those odd little jobs that a forklift can do! thanks for posting the pics and info.
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ZRX61
Well-known member
That thing is just crying out for a custom paint job. There was a craze at VNY airport for customized tugs. a couple had flame jobs & one had been re-engined with a blown dragster v8 motor.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Mine's only ~40 years old but has led a hard life. Rat-lift. 
mauris69
Well-known member
what a beauty....
ez-duzit
Well-known member
Ha! Hardly a beauty.
Rat-lift.
Rat-lift.