The Handiest Thing I ever Built (Manlift)

[joes_427_vette]

Jimgerken; Your math some how lost me. The loader reaches 6'. The basket is 4'. the extension from the loader to the basket looks 3' by the picture. That is a total of 13'........ How do you get 18' out of this equasion ? I doubt if that tractor could hold the weight of the bucket structure and a 200# man in the bucket that high without serious stability problems.
My TC 55 with the bucket @10' has a stability issue with a 300 # load.

[mjncad]

Originally Posted by jimgerken

I built a wife lift too. Then a few years later I figured out that it could reach two feet higher with a simple design change. So attached is the result. Note: when it is acutally being used, there is plenty of ballast on the back of the tractor. I can reach to 18 feet now, pretty good for a loader that only reaches six feet high by itself. Notice the small grey rubber (non-marking) wheels on there. The final version has four wheels, two at the cage floor level, and two mounted at the corners of the cage railing. When the loader settles slowly, the wheels keep the cage from marking the building you are working next to. There is a 2.5 inch raised lip all around the floor edge for safety, and it keeps handtools from rolling out too. Now, if only I had a self-leveling loader...

Nice work Jim, and that's similar to how I would build one. I see you have a partial ladder attached to the manlift. I've thought about doing the same thing; but adding an extension ladder arrangement that would allow me to use the manlift solo, and also act as a safety stop in case the hydraulics failed.

I assume your 18' reach means your outstretched hand.

[jimgerken]

Yea, I can reach 18 feet. Loader reaches 6 feet, basket floor is 4 above that, I am six feet tall, my arms reach 2 feet over my head. Stabilty is great, once the basket is placed where you want it, you lower the boxblade just to touch the ground. It sure aint going to tip over, but I wouldnt use it on a sidehill either.
Extension ladder of some kind would be a great idea. Maybe a rope ladder or chain ladder or something flexible.
Here's an action shot, and a closeup of the caster wheel idea.

[mjncad]

Originally Posted by jimgerken

Yea, I can reach 18 feet. Loader reaches 6 feet, basket floor is 4 above that, I am six feet tall, my arms reach 2 feet over my head. Stabilty is great, once the basket is placed where you want it, you lower the boxblade just to touch the ground. It sure aint going to tip over, but I wouldnt use it on a sidehill either.
Extension ladder of some kind would be a great idea. Maybe a rope ladder or chain ladder or something flexible.
Here's an action shot, and a closeup of the caster wheel idea.

I like it. Is that a 4100 it's attached to? If so, and you are doing well with your manlift with the smallest 4000 series rig from the early 2000's time frame.

[Gizmo2]

Just had to have one, sure will make trimming the trees in the pasture and around the house a bunch easier. Not to mention painting. I was talking to a friend about these a week ago and told him I want one but was too busy making my snow blade fit the 2320 to make one, he called me up today and said I've got your lift ready for you, come on over.

[Runner]

"But I don 't see the rope for the operator controls. "

I'm picturing a broom handle with a coat hanger loop on the end for this purpose....

If a guy was really worried bout the thing dropping due to hydraulic line failure or whatever, you could make something like a big trailer jack the would mount to the lift platform. Maybe use a 6 foot long piece of 3 inch pipe with a metal plate on the bottom for a foot and several holes drilled in the pipe. Then have a bigger pipe sleeve welded to the platform that the 3 inch pipe slides up and down in. When you get to the work area, you let the pipe stand drop down and put in the bolt. Even if it didn't reach all the way to the ground, it would still stop the lift from dropping all the way.

[yzbdsbp]

Gizmo2....Sounds Like everyone need friends like you have. That was awful nice of your buddy to do that for ya. I tell ya what...I dont use mine evey day, but when you need it, it is priceless. This time of year we are working on building and repairing alot of deer stands getting ready for hunting season, and my lift was once again priceless. When you trim some trees you will want to do everything you can out of it.

I can hear your buddy now, (the one who built it for you) "Hey Gizmo why dont you bring that thing over to the house and we can ________." Unless of course he has already built himself one! Then you will have to go drive the tractor for him. Enjoy I know you will, its nice to have one sitting there when you need it.

[curly]

Originally Posted by jimgerken

Yea, I can reach 18 feet. Loader reaches 6 feet, basket floor is 4 above that, I am six feet tall, my arms reach 2 feet over my head. Stabilty is great, once the basket is placed where you want it, you lower the boxblade just to touch the ground. It sure aint going to tip over, but I wouldnt use it on a sidehill either.
Extension ladder of some kind would be a great idea. Maybe a rope ladder or chain ladder or something flexible.
Here's an action shot, and a closeup of the caster wheel idea.

Wow, that is a sweet wife-lift. I guess it could be a one-man operation like that, even for a higher lift. Get it where you need it and lean a ladder against it and climb on up.

[Runner]

You could even build a fold-down ladder into the side of the manlift for single person operation.

Man, I love the ideas I get from this site...

[Gizmo2]

Originally Posted by Runner

You could even build a fold-down ladder into the side of the manlift for single person operation.

Better yet a slide down ladder, as in a small extension ladder mounted to the side.