Deciding to get another grey.

[Yandaddy1110]

I have started a home-based business which involves unloading pallets of merchandise off a semi-trailer truck. No loading dock obviously. Been renting the neighbors skid steer for the task,unfortunatly leaves ruts and tears up the drive and the lawn to the pole shed where I store the mechandise. My question, what size tractor could handle 700lbs palleted loads with a 3ph safely. BTW I have a yanmar 1110d and am very familiar with grey market kubotas,isekis hinomotos ect. just not the 20 + hp types.

 

[beenthere]

Hmmm?

No loading dock...
Pallets on the 3 ph....
Experience with tractors less than 20 hp....
Using skid steer now.....

I cannot piece this one together. What am I missing?

 

[Maxify55]

I would use anything less than a 30hp 4x4 w/FEL.

Then, affix pallet forks to the front of the bucket.

What you might also need is an attachment on the rear 3pt for balance.

That's a bunch of weight out front for any compact tractor.

I have started a home-based business which involves unloading pallets of merchandise off a semi-trailer truck. No loading dock obviously. Been renting the neighbors skid steer for the task,unfortunatly leaves ruts and tears up the drive and the lawn to the pole shed where I store the mechandise. My question, what size tractor could handle 700lbs palleted loads with a 3ph safely. BTW I have a yanmar 1110d and am very familiar with grey market kubotas,isekis hinomotos ect. just not the 20 + hp types.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Sorry, I should have mentioned the fact that I would convert a single stage forklift mast that I have to 3PH and use that off the back of the tractor. Mast weighs maybe 300lbs and has a lift cap. of 1000lbs. Another factor is 2wd should be OK for this type of use, and also, I have a loader sitting out back that someday I would install.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Hmmm?

No loading dock...
Pallets on the 3 ph....
Experience with tractors less than 20 hp....
Using skid steer now.....

I cannot piece this one together. What am I missing?

The skid steer works, its rented from neighbor. Problem is this is semi-rural residential, I want to keep this businesss low impact with the neighbors, the smaller the tractor the better as far as that is concerned. So far semi comes every- other month, so a Bobcat is kinda overkill, plus I would like to have my own machine here when needed and not rely on someone elses machine to be available.

 

[LMTC]

If I misread or misunderstood, please clarify...you are not going to unload a semi from ground level with forks on the rear of one of these tractors. Front forks on something 25HP and 2500# or more, perhaps, bu the 3ph won't lift high enough. It will carry your pallets, but not unload a truck.

 

[rScotty]

Why not get an old US gas farm tractor? Any of the ones which have a standard 3ph will handle the load with ease. Inexpensive, known reliable, stable with a load, good parts, and the gassers start easy in cold weather. Much as I like compacts, this sounds like an application for a good old haying tractor. Your money will buy a nicer machine, too. Put balloon tires - or truck tires - on it for a nicer ride.
rScotty

 

[Yandaddy1110]

If I misread or misunderstood, please clarify...you are not going to unload a semi from ground level with forks on the rear of one of these tractors. Front forks on something 25HP and 2500# or more, perhaps, bu the 3ph won't lift high enough. It will carry your pallets, but not unload a truck.

Yes I am thinking of unloading the semi from the ground using a 3PH forklift mast, single stage which I already have,and should lift 6' high.The mast plus the pallet would weigh aprox. 1000lbs. I have considered a loader with forks, but that is really not ness. with a 3PH forklift mast.

 

[Yandaddy1110]

Why not get an old US gas farm tractor? Any of the ones which have a standard 3ph will handle the load with ease. Inexpensive, known reliable, stable with a load, good parts, and the gassers start easy in cold weather. Much as I like compacts, this sounds like an application for a good old haying tractor. Your money will buy a nicer machine, too. Put balloon tires - or truck tires - on it for a nicer ride.
rScotty

I did once consider an old gasser, yes it would work. I would like to remain in the grey compact world though, I dont want old farm machinery in a residential area.

 

[Raspy]

Morris,

I think you are looking at this the wrong way. Re-consider bucket forks.

Add on bucket forks are a great attachment. They are simple to put on, allow you to look forward to drive your load around and there is no design work or hydraulics to figure out.

I use mine all the time for moving just about everything. With my New Holland TC29DA I can carry about 800 lbs max. A bigger tractor would do much more.