BX22: Will the FEL handle this?

RichT · Oct 30, 2005

Decided on compressor for my barn/garage - Quincy 5HP 60Gal which weighs about 400lbs. I can pick up at loading dock and they'll put it on my pickup.

I'm wondering about using my clamp on forks (made similar to those designed by madreferee on this forum a few months ago, scaled down a bit for my 22). ALthough I'm confident the forks can handle the weight, I figure I'm near the edge of bucket capacity with a 400lbs weight on forks outboard of the bucket.

Whattayou guys think...will using the FEL with clamp on forks to get the compressor out of the truck bed work? I have an old Chrysler 440 bare block that weights ~240lbs I could put in the truck bed on a pallet with a couple 90lb sacks of crete and see if the FEL/forks will lift it out. Should I even bother to run this test?

Code54 · Oct 30, 2005

Seeing there are a few factors at play ( distance from bucket, height, where the weight is on the compressor, etc) I think your test is a good idea. Start light and move up in weight (also remember rear weight to balance yourself out)
Also make sure the compressor is tied down good in the truck(TRUST ME on this one /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

RichT · Oct 30, 2005

Yes, definitely tied down, otherwise wouldn't attempt. Will have the backhoe gripping a big stump for rear ballast.

frank_f15 · Oct 31, 2005

if possible have them put the compressor on a pallet, the bucket should lift the weight ok but your CG is going to go out in front. make sure you have rear weight, and very slowly LIFT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. but with rear weight you should have no problem, the test idea is a good one.

RichT · Nov 1, 2005

frank
the compressor comes on a pallet; dealer says they can load it on my 4x4 tundra; if the ol 22 can't lift it, I may be the only truck in town driving around with an upright compressor latched to the bed until I find a football team to unload it /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

RichT · Nov 11, 2005

Just to followup...and for you BX22/3 guys wondering about capacity on forks...

I welded up the DIY forks from this forum, popped them on the bucket with the toothbar. Started loading up a pallet, first with Chrysler 440 bare block (~230lbs) and a 440 crankshaft (~70lbs). No problem lifting or curling.

Added another 70lbs. Still no problem. Added about 30lbs to get to ~400lbs total. Could only lift about 10in off the ground, no curling. Decided to take off the toothbar (~60lbs) and try again. Lift to 30in, enough to get a 400lb compressor off my trailer, but no curl.

So it looks like 400lbs on a pallet is at the edge of capability for the FEL, which is about what I expected. The lack of curl will make offloading the compressor interesting, but I should be able to handle it. My neighbor has a bota 7500 with another 100lbs in FEL capacity if worse comes to worse.