SSQA fork build

Mysfyt · Jan 6, 2016

Xfaxman said:
I also recommend more rollback be built into the frame, especially for going downhill. :thumbsup:

Here is a visual from my 3 point adapter.

View attachment 452804

Jim T alluded to this also. Thanks! Good stuff!

Mysfyt · Jan 7, 2016

More progress. Welded the blocks to the forks and next up will be the vertical mill.

davedj1 · Jan 8, 2016

You could do a single cylinder and have a cam lever, no chains or rollers.

Mysfyt · Jan 9, 2016

davedj1 said:
You could do a single cylinder and have a cam lever, no chains or rollers.

Sounds interesting. Any pictures or links for reference?

Jim Timber · Jan 9, 2016

Rack and pinion would work too. You'd need another bar to keep them from binding, but a little hydraulic motor would turn that pinion with ease and speed. Put the motor in the middle between the SSQA pads.

Mysfyt · Jan 9, 2016

Jim Timber said:
Rack and pinion would work too. You'd need another bar to keep them from binding, but a little hydraulic motor would turn that pinion with ease and speed. Put the motor in the middle between the SSQA pads.

And I was just finishing up my redesign using chains and sprockets! Now you've got the gears and racks spinning in my head. How about a hydraulic motor running a RH/LH leadscrew? I think I saw this setup on a huge old forklift somewhere.

Jim Timber · Jan 9, 2016

I think the R&P would be easier to keep clean enough to not jam (looser tolerances wouldn't hinder function). Screws and dirt make me nervous.

STx · Jan 9, 2016

Mysfyt said:
Good point. How do they do it on forklifts?

I don't think I've ever seen a forklift with hydraulically adjusted forks spacing but if they exist, I'm sure they have 2 cylinders. Forklifts aren't cheap so they're not likely to try to save the money on 1 cylinder and control if they have that feature.

Mysfyt · Jan 9, 2016

STx said:
I don't think I've ever seen a forklift with hydraulically adjusted forks spacing but if they exist, I'm sure they have 2 cylinders. Forklifts aren't cheap so they're not likely to try to save the money on 1 cylinder and control if they have that feature.

This forklift has it and yes, it is run by two cylinders. The forks are supported on the top and bottom where they slide by fairly wide supports to prevent binding, which is my biggest concern with my design. I'm guessing this forklift uses a flow divider between the two cylinders, but I don't know for sure.

Jim Timber · Jan 9, 2016

I've used several hydraulically adjusted fork carriages, I just never bothered to look at how they did it. Usually the whole frame was caked in grease.