Using a tractor as a Fork lift

[arcteryx]

I am not sure where this goes, so please move as necessary.

Would a tractor make a good fork lift? Does a PTO have more lift capacity than putting some tongs on a FEL? I am actively looking for a tractor, but need a forklift too, something that can lift 1500-2500 pounds.

Thanks.

 

[moored4]

You can use either end of a tractor for fork lift type attachments. FEL and the 3PH. The 3ph will be able to lift heaver loads but the FEL will lift them higher!

 

[arcteryx]

Thanks. How high can a 3PH lift roughly? I am looking for tractors in the 18-30 hp range. I would need probably 2 feet.

 

[LD1]

Thanks. How high can a 3PH lift roughly? I am looking for tractors in the 18-30 hp range. I would need probably 2 feet.

2 ft is probabally doable But you need to be at least 30HP or bigger to lift 1500-2500lbs on the back. And at that, it must be a HEAVY 30HP.

30HP tractors come in a wide variety from small 1500lb tractors up to 3500lb tractors. And you need to be in the larger 3500lb tractor range to be able to lift 2500lbs. And even then, you will need weight out front.

18-25HP tractor, forget it. Maybe 500lbs MAX with pallet forks on the bucket and probabally not more than 1000lbs out back. SCUT's are just too small for what you want.

What are you lifting anyway?????

 

[CurlyDave]

I have a 43 HP TLB and with a fork attachment on the FEL (not clamp-on or chain-on forks, a drop the bucket and put the forks on attachment) I can lift ~2500 lbs.

This does not make my machine into fork lift by a long shot.

By exercising a lot of care, most of the time I can get the forks properly into a pallet, and I can usually place the pallet where I want it. A lot of times the forks scrape the ground or the pallet. This is because the forks can be tipped up or down to a much greater extent than a real fork lift can.

For general fork lift work, nothing beats a real fork lift. For occasional fork lift work, a tractor makes a handy and low cost substitute if you already have the tractor, but it is not ever going to be a real fork lift.

 

[arcteryx]

thanks for the replies. I have a small dismantling business I do on the side, so once in a while I need to move/ship an engine/tranny or axles. The 2500 pounds is the upper limit, but most of the time it would be under 1500.

 

[Zebrafive]

Have you considered getting a forklift mast and adding 3pt hitch brackets then using it's lift cylinder (plugged into your hydraulics)?

 

[arcteryx]

Can you give me a link of a manufacturer or a pic of one?

 

[BruceWard]

I believe the suggestion was to get a scrap forklift mast, weld up a 3 point mount for it then attach it to your tractors hydraulics.

 

[bcp]

Can you give me a link of a manufacturer or a pic of one?

Scroll down to see some:

Forklifts :: Edwards Equipment Company

Bruce

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Im kinda in the same boat, I bought a tractor to unload merchandise on pallets off a semi-trailer @ my home. Front loader with fork attachment works for now, but a rear forklift mast would work much better and safer. They can be had fairly cheap from used forklift dealers. You would want a tractor with 2 rear hydraulic remotes so you could attach a hydraulic 3rd link for tilt. Also the mast should have heavy steel wheels welded to the bottom so the mast does all the lifting, not your 3point hitch. There doesnt seem to be alot of info/talk around here on tbn about the subject. Dont know why such an attachment would be almost as useful as a front loader imo.

 

[texasjohn]

To lift 2500 lbs you're going to need to REALLY check out the specs on the FEL....imho you 're looking at a 55-60hp tractor, properly weighted in the rear, to be able to do that. A vertical mast on the rear would work, but as you noted there aren't a lot built that way, and for that kind of weight you REALLY want something with true engineering behind it, not just some pieces welded together.

 

[CurlyDave]

I think the difference between 1500 lbs and 2500 lbs is a very expensive difference.

If you have a need for a tractor anyway, consider limiting what you will dismantle to vehicles where the components are under 1500 lbs. A fork lift attachment is going to be 200-300 lbs which must be taken into account when selecting a tractor.

Start smaller and when you can afford it get a used forklift.

 

[Cidertom]

I've picked #2700 +/- with the 400 CX on my JD 4520. Have rear wheels loaded, had Backhoe on, and was still light. Had to extend dipper, and fill bucket with lead bricks. Otherwise a stop caused the rear wheels to come off ground. Over book value, probably near a failure mode, but got job done. I routinely pick ton pallets with the forks on the cx but it must be ballasted well for safety. Book called for filled, wheel weights, and ballast box.

The CX is nice for pallets as it is self leveling. Not so great for material buckets but everything is a compromise.

 

[mojoinco]

Used forklifts aren't too bad -- especially as you only need one occasionally. An old gas unit would be fine.

 

[arcteryx]

Yea, I think that is the path I am going to go with. Now to find one and a tractor that I like. Thanks for everyone's help.