3pt Fork Lift

[Tractor Seabee]

Right but I'm not seeing that on his. I have 2 kubota's, it doesn't take more than a quart to go from the bottom of the dipstick to the top, he's going to run it dry. Since the hydraulics are shared with the engine/transmission, that can cause some real damage very fast without an aux tank.

that comment would take some research and analysis. That idea just popped into my head. The capacity of the tank would have to closely match the amount taken in by the single acting cylinder. My vast memory seems to recollect a system of this nature.

Ron

 

[fatjay]

Why add that complexity though, piping in a special return to the transmission, and not just use both remote lines instead of just one, with a dual acting cylinder. That way the fluid level remains constant, you wouldn't run the transmission dry, nor have a need for an aux tank.

 

[ptsg]

Why add that complexity though, piping in a special return to the transmission, and not just use both remote lines instead of just one, with a dual acting cylinder. That way the fluid level remains constant, you wouldn't run the transmission dry, nor have a need for an aux tank.

Single acting cylinder. Only one port to feed the cylinder.

Anyway, tractors come with plenty of oil capacity. Even if it drops below the dipstick.

 

[redman135]

Problem 1 weight: tractor needs to be 3, YES 3, X the rated lift for stability. It is one of the questions to get an OSH forklift cert.

Problen 2 oil: a ram that size will drain the gearbo as others have said. An auxilary tank is needed, mount it on the loader to help the balance problem.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Several potential solutions. Install a set of wheels on the bottom of the fork lift mast to help with the wheelie and three point issues. Installing a double acting cylinder in place of the present single acting cylinder would solve the oil capacity issues if they exist. Or convert the single acting to a double acting.

 

[LouNY]

If your tractor really lacks the system capacity to run a large single acting cylinder simply plumb a line from someplace low on your system to the vent port on the single acting cylinder and fill the top of the cylinder with hydraulic fluid use it as your reservoir.

 

[DJ54]

I built one about 15 years ago, mainly to double stack my round bales. The fork lift unit is that of a hand type fork lift. It is relatively light, and has the capacity of 1,000 lbs. perfect for the 500-600 lb bales. I removed the forks, and made a bracket for the bale spear, yet still use the forks. I did have to get a larger bore cylinder from Surplus Center, I'm thinking it's a 2" bore. Thank goodness it is one of those odd ball sizes, that wasn't all that expensive.

I've now graduated to a Bobcat to do the bale stacking, so put the forks back on it, and still use it occasionally. Last time I used it, was to set my waste oil furnace back up it's stand, approx. 7' high in the new shop after moving. Worth its weight in gold, when you need it.

 

[LFEngineering]

Surge / reserve tank is on my To-do list. I calculated the cylinder holds 5 qts. I also read that the only danger of overfilling the trans is overflowing when hot. I've already added 3 qts above the "low" line. I'm slowly adding more fluid and working the tractor and observing for overflows. Problem is it's been below 40 degrees every day I've tried. Not the best comparison to a summer day.