Tractor Sizing I'm looking to buy a tractor to use primarily as an offroad forklift.

[sd455dan]

Hey guys. I've been wanting to buy a tractor and put a fork attachment on the front of it. I went to the kubota dealer and the sales guy basically all his tractors he had on the lot would only lift 1000 pounds max. I think his were all the 2000 series tractors. So what size tractor do I need to be able to lift 2500 pounds with a fork lift attachment? I'm not looking for a brand new tractor since they have the tier 4 emissions junk on them, but I am a fan of kubota. Maybe even an old ford tractor, it could be 20-25 years old for all I care just as long as it's in good shape.

Maybe consider a TLB , most Case 580's will lift Over 6000lb with the FEL just another option if you don't mind a backhoe

 

[LouNY]

That's awesome, did you do a build thread? What was the donor machine you took it off of?

No I didn't do a build thread,
the mast came off a forklift with a 5000# capacity, I don't even recall the make.
I unbolted and unpined (had a pair of large pins in the lower base 1&1/2")the mast and
just made an adapter for the lower lift arms to fit those pins and welded on an attachment point for my hydraulic top link.

 

[hdmyers]

Offroad forklifts are expensive even used.

...i sold my late 80's forklift for 5k...they are out there.. 5000lb lift, 30ft mast, 14.9x24 tires all around..
wish i hadn't sold it..but hey, tings happen.

 

[deserteagle71]

I unload pellets for my pellet stove with my Kubota M7060HDC12. Each pallet weighs 2000 lbs. The Kubota lifts it - but just barely. That's a lot of weight way out in front of the front axle! I have to have the mower on the back, or else trying to lift the pallet just lifts the rear of the tractor. Even so, I have to have 4x4 engaged because there isn't enough weight on the rear of the tractor and the rear tires just spin. The front tires need to be aired up to at least 30 psi because essentially the entire weight of tractor and pallet is now on the front tires. Maneuvering with 2000 lbs on the forks is VERY awkward! I'm glad I have to do this only once a year!

You need to consider getting a MUCH bigger tractor than my Kubota - or a dedicated off-road forklift that will carry the load close to the wheels!

 

[dadiehl]

I agree with desert eagle. My M7060 lifts a ton of pellets off my F350. No cab but the rear tires are loaded. I would not want to drive off road with that load even low to the ground. Strictly off the truck right into the garage. It’s a very level short trip. My son works for a tree service. They use a large skid steer like a fork lift. I know they lift way more than a ton with that under some terrible conditions. Not too safe but they have to do what they have to do.

 

[sea2summit]

I unload pellets for my pellet stove with my Kubota M7060HDC12. Each pallet weighs 2000 lbs. The Kubota lifts it - but just barely. That's a lot of weight way out in front of the front axle! I have to have the mower on the back, or else trying to lift the pallet just lifts the rear of the tractor. Even so, I have to have 4x4 engaged because there isn't enough weight on the rear of the tractor and the rear tires just spin. The front tires need to be aired up to at least 30 psi because essentially the entire weight of tractor and pallet is now on the front tires. Maneuvering with 2000 lbs on the forks is VERY awkward! I'm glad I have to do this only once a year!

You need to consider getting a MUCH bigger tractor than my Kubota - or a dedicated off-road forklift that will carry the load close to the wheels!

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That's interesting, I haven't had my M4 long but it has the 1154 loader and it doesn't notice 2k at all as far as lifting it (an IBC tote of water). I absolutely wouldn't drive that kind of load off road as you said but it didn't notice lifting it onto a stand for a gravity feed system.

 

[shooterdon]

I have an LS4140 with cab, loaded tires and ballast. I lift almost 1/2 cord (over 2000 lbs) of firewood with it but never more than 2-3' high and on relatively flat ground.

One reason I got it was it had the most lift capacity for the $$. It is rated at 2700 lbs.

 

[finn1]

Tractors make lousy fork lifts. As pointed out previously, the line of sight os poor, so you are operating blind most of the time.

Also, the center of gravity is high, making them somewhat unstable when lifting and turning.

I would look at a wheeled skid steer, probably a large framed one if you are routinely lifting heavy loads.

A radial lift machine won’t be as good with forks as a vertical lift one.

Tracks are better for soft ground, but maintenance costs are higher.

Ditch the idea of a tractor for serious fork work.

 

[4570Man]

Tractors make lousy fork lifts. As pointed out previously, the line of sight os poor, so you are operating blind most of the time.

Also, the center of gravity is high, making them somewhat unstable when lifting and turning.

I would look at a wheeled skid steer, probably a large framed one if you are routinely lifting heavy loads.

A radial lift machine won’t be as good with forks as a vertical lift one.

Tracks are better for soft ground, but maintenance costs are higher.

Ditch the idea of a tractor for serious fork work.

A tractor was a failure as a forklift the moment they put the swivel axle on the front. That makes a huge difference in stability.

 

[rademamj1]

You might consider a New Holland L228 skid steer, used they will cost about $32k, and can safely and easily lift 2900 lbs or 400 lbs higher than your 2500 lbs target lift. You also have excellent visibility when performing your lift. These machines typically weigh about 8,600 lbs and are extremely reliable.