Buying Advice Homeowner Forklift

[4570Man]

It seems after the feedback on this thread that would be the case. It looks more like $5k to keep up with the Jones'.

With enough patience I’m sure something else would come along but this is the cheapest machine I could find in 5 minutes that’s big enough to lift 3,000 pounds.

 

[paulsharvey]

Looking at the SS market, by the time they get to below $10k, they are at Best a major project. Skid steers are so widely used for so many trades/homeowners, anything with any life in it will retain a lot of value. A warehouse forklift, pretty much only has value to manufacturing and shipping companies, which often replace perfectly fine working machines.

How much concrete or asphalt would need placed to eliminate the Need to run on soft surfaces? Are we talking many a 16x30x6" loading area that would take care of everything? That would be plenty to back any truck onto and would only be 8.8 cy of flatwork concrete, or about $1125 in concrete,

 

[WI-citizen]

With enough patience I’m sure something else would come along but this is the cheapest machine I could find in 5 minutes that’s big enough to lift 3,000 pounds. View attachment 2123928

I could only dream.

 

[WI-citizen]

I would be looking for something like this.

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Perfect if it's under seven feet tall.

 

[paulsharvey]

BTW, my quick search locally on Market, several, maybe most, of the sub $4000 forklifts mention having break issues, soft breaking, frozen breaks, or needing breaks. I Do Not know if that is hard to get parts for, or how much work breaks are on a warehouse forklift. I do know in the construction world, brakes on loaders/TLBs, ect are often no good, and you just use them accordingly.

 

[WI-citizen]

BTW, my quick search locally on Market, several, maybe most, of the sub $4000 forklifts mention having break issues, soft breaking, frozen breaks, or needing breaks. I Do Not know if that is hard to get parts for, or how much work breaks are on a warehouse forklift. I do know in the construction world, brakes on loaders/TLBs, ect are often no good, and you just use them accordingly.

That's why $5k is more realistic for a bone.

 

[TMGT]

I managed to pick up a 5k diesel forklift a few years ago off marketplace for $1500, if you look constantly and are able to respond quickly you can find some decent deals. This one needed the hyd pump resealed (was leaking into the crankcase) and the guy didn't want/know how to fix it.

Only thing I wish I had was a 3stage mast, but it is still very handy.
It is used off pavement most of the time and it does fine even with solid tires, just don't get too confident because it can get stuck quickly on soft ground.

The 6ft forks are a bonus!View attachment 2147461

 

[WI-citizen]

I managed to pick up a 5k diesel forklift a few years ago off marketplace for $1500, if you look constantly and are able to respond quickly you can find some decent deals. This one needed the hyd pump resealed (was leaking into the crankcase) and the guy didn't want/know how to fix it.

Only thing I wish I had was a 3stage mast, but it is still very handy.
It is used off pavement most of the time and it does fine even with solid tires, just don't get too confident because it can get stuck quickly on soft ground.

The 6ft forks are a bonus!View attachment 2147461View attachment 2147463

Yep, and the $10k savings over a skidsteer doesn't hurt either. Something that will only get 10 hours a year use anyways. Plus you can lift more and higher!

 

[flyerdan]

It must be the perspective - those forks look longer than the eight footers I made for mine. Since we both have 5k lifts, I imagine that they're similar in size/weight.

 

[TMGT]

It must be the perspective - those forks look longer than the eight footers I made for mine. Since we both have 5k lifts, I imagine that they're similar in size/weight.

It is perspective, that picture does make them look longer. It weighs about 9k total.

I do have an old 3 stage mast from an electric forklift we scrapped at work, planning on making that into a 3pt setup for the tractor. Won't have the loft capacity but will have the height at least!

 

[flyerdan]

That would work great for a man basket, where you need to go high but don't have the weight issue. If you have racking, you'd want to put the heavier stuff in the lower tiers anyway, so other than having to swap machines occasionally it should be fine.
Here's my full 8' fork extentions, I wanted to go with RT, but the I beam and a big chunk of 9" flat bar was only $40, so that was an easy decision.

 

[WI-citizen]

That would work great for a man basket, where you need to go high but don't have the weight issue. If you have racking, you'd want to put the heavier stuff in the lower tiers anyway, so other than having to swap machines occasionally it should be fine.
Here's my full 8' fork extentions, I wanted to go with RT, but the I beam and a big chunk of 9" flat bar was only $40, so that was an easy decision.

It's great to see someone post mods! Hopefully, some others will do the same. The info all helps in the buying process.

 

[TMGT]

That would work great for a man basket, where you need to go high but don't have the weight issue. If you have racking, you'd want to put the heavier stuff in the lower tiers anyway, so other than having to swap machines occasionally it should be fine.
Here's my full 8' fork extentions, I wanted to go with RT, but the I beam and a big chunk of 9" flat bar was only $40, so that was an easy decision.

We have a set of extensions on the 10k forklift at work, made out of channel and flat bar for the straps and some square stock bent at the back to help hold them on.

The 3pt mounted forklift should be good for about 1500lbs so still pretty capable.

I also use my forklift for maintenance and underside cleaning outside

 

[WI-citizen]

We have a set of extensions on the 10k forklift at work, made out of channel and flat bar for the straps and some square stock bent at the back to help hold them on.

The 3pt mounted forklift should be good for about 1500lbs so still pretty capable.

I also use my forklift for maintenance and underside cleaning outsideView attachment 2158699View attachment 2158700

Did you do any mods to the machine or just add extensions?

 

[TMGT]

They are just slip on extensions for when we need them, we also have a decent size tellahandler that we use them on when needed. Work we have a 3700lb, 4000lb, 9500lb and the tellehandler that I think is rated about 8000lbs depending on extension

 

[WI-citizen]

They are just slip on extensions for when we need them, we also have a decent size tellahandler that we use them on when needed. Work we have a 3700lb, 4000lb, 9500lb and the tellehandler that I think is rated about 8000lbs depending on extension

I was referring to any mods to the hydraulics or drive train too. I'm sure there are plenty of things that can be updated.

 

[TMGT]

I was referring to any mods to the hydraulics or drive train too. I'm sure there are plenty of things that can be updated.

On the 9500lb on at work? No it's stock, just have extensions for oversized parts.

I don't think there is much I could modify on a forklift safely, aside from cosmetics, and I like to customize my machines!

 

[WI-citizen]

On the 9500lb on at work? No it's stock, just have extensions for oversized parts.

I don't think there is much I could modify on a forklift safely, aside from cosmetics, and I like to customize my machines!

Interesting, no mods to forklifts. Is this why I can't find much info on forklifts?

 

[scootr]

My little 5k CAT is the handiest machine on the place sometimes

 

[WI-citizen]

My little 5k CAT is the handiest machine on the place sometimes

That model is also hard to find at a good price. Very popular model.