Convert "Walkie forklift" to 3-point attachment (Lifts 11 feet high)

[Sodo]

Been planning this for awhile but started on it yesterday, and stripped off all the electrics. Got some good stuff for the toybox. I got it pretty far along today but have not yet figured out the top link attachment yet

I'm wanted to get it so I could at least "move it around" but am done playing with it for a little while get it the heck out of the way and plan the next step.

Haven't hooked up the hydraulics. It's gravity-down, not sure how I'm gonna accommodate that (other than wait for J_J to come across this thread )

Also I think I'm going to make/find some lighter-weight forks for it, these must weigh 125 lbs each.

 

[Sprinklerman]

Looks cool , I would be afraid of things falling on your head when fully extended

 

[xzcVAbc5]

We have a 3ph forklift made from a walk behind model as well. For the hydraulics they are pretty simple. You only have to hook up one hose.

 

[Sodo]

Thanks - I guess that makes sense it just spools to return. Do you have a pic (or thread) of your lift? Did you do the fabrication?

 

[xzcVAbc5]

Thanks - I guess that makes sense it just spools to return. Do you have a pic (or thread) of your lift? Did you do the fabrication?

We didn't do the fab ourselves, but it was done for us. I might be able to get a pic next weekend.

The lift we have doesn't have the outside wheels on it. They would probably get in the way when picking up stuff wider than a pallet. The downside of not having the outisde pieces is that it's more likely to fall over to the side when not attached to the tractor which has happened. If you had a rack to park it in that would be the best.

A word to the wise: You'll want your ROPS up when using the forklift because you might accidentally give yourself a headache if you aren't paying attention when lifting the 3ph. Fortunately the first tractor we used this on had a metal sunshade and frame. The tractor its on now has a fixed ROPS and also blocks the lift from hitting the operator in the head.

 

[Depmandog]

You plan on pinning the top link or using with that light gauge chain? I have never been one to flash the safety police badge, but I will say I wouldn't use it as presently installed.

That mast looks very stout! Any idea what it weighs?

 

[newbury]

What's the weight of the forklift versus your 3pt lift capacity?

 

[Sodo]

I suspect it weighs 900 lbs, and the 3-pt capacity is 1665. The amount of weight it can "carry around" is minimal on this little tractor. My FEL can lift 900 lbs in the bucket but on forks it can't lift 475 lbs to full height. I envision using the tractor to position the lift, then scoot it in and out (on its own wheels) to put stuff up on my loft. And to put snowmobiles on a shelf for example.

Almost the main reason I built it is because the walkie needed a $400 part, and $600 of new batteries, for a total value of about $1200-1500. Barely worth the effort, and and risky as it might need another $500 part next. The scrappers were staring me down for it, they wanted to "get rid of it for me" as a favor (probably just for the steel). I saw several of these in scrapyards, I bet you could get one for $200.

Yep Dep have to figure out how to attach the top link, it won't lift very high with that chain wrapped around the mast. :laughing:

 

[Sodo]

The lift we have doesn't have the outside wheels on it. They would probably get in the way when picking up stuff wider than a pallet. The downside of not having the outisde pieces is that it's more likely to fall over to the side when not attached to the tractor which has happened. If you had a rack to park it in that would be the best.

I would probably cut the legs off mine if my tractor was larger, but for now I want to let it sit on it's own feet while lifting. Basically just use the tractor to move it around unladen. But I'll learn it's capacity, there are plenty things less than 500 lbs that I need to lift. Rather than a rack you could add some 'foldable" legs onto your mast so it could set on its own anywhere.

A word to the wise: You'll want your ROPS up when using the forklift because you might accidentally give yourself a headache if you aren't paying attention when lifting the 3ph. Fortunately the first tractor we used this on had a metal sunshade and frame. The tractor its on now has a fixed ROPS and also blocks the lift from hitting the operator in the head.

Not sure what you mean by this. Do you have no top link? (or chain top link?)

 

[xzcVAbc5]

I would probably cut the legs off mine if my tractor was larger, but for now I want to let it sit on it's own feet while lifting. Basically just use the tractor to move it around unladen. But I'll learn it's capacity, there are plenty things less than 500 lbs that I need to lift. Rather than a rack you could add some 'foldable" legs onto your mast so it could set on its own anywhere.

Not sure what you mean by this. Do you have no top link? (or chain top link?)

When the 3pt is raised the implement moves in an arc. We use a standard top link. It essentially makes the tractor an offroad forklift without the ability to tilt the forks separate from adjusting the 3ph.

A chain top link sounds like a bad idea since there isn't anything keeping the implement from falling towards the operator if the lift is raised past its balance point.


When I get some pictures snapped it will make more sense.

 

[Sodo]

When the 3pt is raised the implement moves in an arc,,,,,<snip>,,,,When I get some pictures snapped it will make more sense.

I'll be interested in the pics.

If your mast tips back it sounds like your top link is not maintaining a (mostly) parallel relationship to your lower lift links.

I don't know much about 3-pt. If the top link attach point is about 18 inches above the lower pins, the top link can be adjusted (in length) to raise almost vertical. I think. You might consider measuring the vertical distance from lower pins to the top link attach point while you're out there.

 

[farm boy00]

I'll be interested in the pics.

If your mast tips back it sounds like your top link is not maintaining a (mostly) parallel relationship to your lower lift links.

I don't know much about 3-pt. If the top link attach point is about 18 inches above the lower pins, the top link can be adjusted (in length) to raise almost vertical. I think. You might consider measuring the vertical distance from lower pins to the top link attach point while you're out there.

That is like that on almost all equitment

 

[Sodo]

Not all eqpt tips fwd & hits the operator.

 

[MossRoad]

Since it's a single acting cylinder, it's going to drain your hydraulics every time you raise it and refill your hydraulics every time you lower it. Have you considered how much fluid it and its hoses hold when its fully extended and will it lower the level in your hydraulic system so much that it may effect other things or cavitate your hydraulic pump?

If it was a double acting cylinder, it would fill the opposite side of the cylinder as it moved in the other direction. It wouldn't be such a big deal. But since its a single acting cylinder, its a genuine concern.

Look at snow plows. They have two single acting cylinders. When one fills, the other drains, and vice-versa. Its basically shifting the volume from one cylinder to the other. Not in the case of this forklift. Its shifting the volume of the hydraulic oil from your hydraulic system to the cylinder and back.

Just something to watch for.

 

[Sodo]

Good point. The lift has 2 cylinders to fill (1st & 2nd stage). I can calculate appx amount of oil to fill each cylinder. How do you find out how much hydraulic oil the tractor has to offer?

 

[farm boy00]

Good point. The lift has 2 cylinders to fill (1st & 2nd stage). I can calculate appx amount of oil to fill each cylinder. How do you find out how much hydraulic oil the tractor has to offer?

Go to tractor data.com. and enter your tractor in the files

 

[Sodo]

Ok simple enough. I've looked thru those before but never looked at the "walkie with two 2.5" x 36" single acting cylinders" column

 

[rswyan]

Ok simple enough. I've looked thru those before but never looked at the "walkie with two 2.5" x 36" single acting cylinders" column

The spec for your tractor's hydraulic capacity will probably give you a hint

IIRC, it's 3.83 gallons ...

 

[BukitCase]

Not counting hose volume, "walkie with two 2.5" x 36" single acting cylinders" will hold just over a gallon and a half.. Steve

 

[Sodo]

Perfect thats how much I got out of the walkie's tank!