Manlift platform from a Woodmaxx pallet

[hslogger]

Woodmaxx pto chippers come partially assembled but crated with a platform and uprights made of rectangular tubing and angle iron. I had this thing sitting around wondering what I was gonna do with it. On the bottom I added some big C iron to house my tractor forks. A couple more pieces of angle on the sides, and a couple cross members on the bottom. Inside the tray measures roughly three feet by three foot six. I used bed frame iron and some flat strap. I think it is going to be real handy.

 

[BHD]

one should have a system to chain it on and lock it in place, or pins in the ends of the forks to keep it from working off the forks.

 

[hslogger]

I could have have welded some hooks on it for chain, but I will just run chain and binder around the fork assembly through the inside of the frame and it will be as secure as can be. Chipping paint here and there doesn't bother me. If I wanted to get picky I could wrap the chain in cloth or hose.

 

[FTG-05]

I need something like this.

Tagged for more pics! (Hint, Hint, HS!!!!)

 

[George2615]

I want to see how the floor goes in with all the angle welded on the inside.

 

[BHD]

not the best picture but I built this platform a few years ago, out of a old frame about 12 feet wide,

what I like was the 2 x12 I put on the back side of it, made a good work table, and a place for tools,

I have removable frames on the front and chains on the sides of it,
also I put fork attachment points, on the ends and middle, one on the direct end so I could come into the end of it, and use it as well,
the fork lift we have will raise to 30 foot tall,

I have used it for a number of jobs like the barn siding and paint another barn,

 

[hslogger]

Here are finished snapshots. I cut out the spots where the angle was in the way. That was fine. I hadn't quite bargained for the inconvenience of the board that had to be cut on the ends. It was just too tight to make it fit without cutting one end out more than I wanted. I wanted to make it a tighter fit, but the angle of the dangle didn't allow that, so I had to beaver it out, allowing me to set the board in the tray. I'm happy with it and wish I had this a couple years ago when I was tearing the side of my house.

 

[FTG-05]

Looks good HS!

What are your plans, if any, to prevent a slip or fall down near the bottom of the lift? Isn't that one of the OSHA requirements to prevent slipping out the bottom?

 

[franklin2]

Looks good HS!

What are your plans, if any, to prevent a slip or fall down near the bottom of the lift? Isn't that one of the OSHA requirements to prevent slipping out the bottom?

They call it a "toe kick" I believe. Technically to be safe it needs to have a couple of large metal hoops that you can tether your body harness to. You can go on and on with the safety rules, but it can get overdone. Like having the special valving in the hydraulics of whatever you are using for a lift, in case you bust a hydraulic line while someone is up in the lift.

 

[FTG-05]

Yes, I agree, it can be overdone.

But, having said that, anyone contemplating making one of these should know what all the *major* safety requirements are so they can decide for themselves what's important and what's not.

Without the "corporate" knowledge - which by definition most of us don't have - it's hard to know what was learned in blood and in lives vs. what was mandated simply due to overzealous bureaucracy. As an engineer, I hope I can discern the difference, at least for my application.

Taking the "toe kick" as an example: I would want that in my application. Tripping, slipping and falling is on my list of "what not to do" when I'm up at high elevations. And, oh by the way, my definition of "high elevations" is about 6'!!! At my age, falling at any higher elevation than my couch is definitely not on the bucket list!!!

Enough digression, more pics and/or more safety requirements!

 

[o2batsea]

Looks good HS!

What are your plans, if any, to prevent a slip or fall down near the bottom of the lift? Isn't that one of the OSHA requirements to prevent slipping out the bottom?

You're kidding, right?

 

[FTG-05]

No, I wasn't kidding. What makes you think I was? I thought it was a pretty simple question.

 

[franklin2]

The toe kick helps keep your feet inside the cage. Many different things can happen if half your foot is able to stick out beyond the railing boundary. But the main reason I would want it is to have a place to pile all the stuff I need in the floor of cage without it rolling out and falling on the ground. I work on parking lot lights all the time, and need spare bulbs, ballasts, photoeyes, and all my tools in there with me. The toe kick helps keep all that from falling out, and keeps me from kicking it out accidentally while I am concentrating on what I am doing to the light.

 

[FTG-05]

Never thought of that, but that makes sense.

 

[Gator6x4]

The toe kick helps keep your feet inside the cage. Many different things can happen if half your foot is able to stick out beyond the railing boundary. But the main reason I would want it is to have a place to pile all the stuff I need in the floor of cage without it rolling out and falling on the ground. I work on parking lot lights all the time, and need spare bulbs, ballasts, photoeyes, and all my tools in there with me. The toe kick helps keep all that from falling out, and keeps me from kicking it out accidentally while I am concentrating on what I am doing to the light.

I don't want anything lying on the surface I am standing on when I am up in the air. I do not want to step sideways or forward and step on a object lying on the floor of my work area.

 

[franklin2]

I don't want anything lying on the surface I am standing on when I am up in the air. I do not want to step sideways or forward and step on a object lying on the floor of my work area.

Of course you try to put it all to one corner or the other so you can work. You will always have stuff up there with you(paint cans, nails, screws, chimney pipe, gutter, shingles, etc.). Good judgement is the top priority at all times when working up high.

 

[hslogger]

Nice to read the input. Toe kick is fine idea, I just wanted to be able to put my pressure washer in it with me. I have seen guys put a shelf on them, too. I just figured I would make a box to hang on the back side for holding items instead of on the floor. Annnd, those "hang over the the board" feed buckets, round or rectangular, fit nicely over the angle. Anyway aint too much sense going nutz on it until I actually use it this springggg. Merryyyyyy Christmas to all

 

[FTG-05]

Nice to read the input. Toe kick is fine idea, I just wanted to be able to put my pressure washer in it with me. I have seen guys put a shelf on them, too. I just figured I would make a box to hang on the back side for holding items instead of on the floor. Annnd, those "hang over the the board" feed buckets, round or rectangular, fit nicely over the angle. Anyway aint too much sense going nutz on it until I actually use it this springggg. Merryyyyyy Christmas to all

Make sure to post the pics!

And Merry Christmas to you as well!!!!

 

[Steve_Miller]

The toe kick helps keep your feet inside the cage. Many different things can happen if half your foot is able to stick out beyond the railing boundary. But the main reason I would want it is to have a place to pile all the stuff I need in the floor of cage without it rolling out and falling on the ground. I work on parking lot lights all the time, and need spare bulbs, ballasts, photoeyes, and all my tools in there with me. The toe kick helps keep all that from falling out, and keeps me from kicking it out accidentally while I am concentrating on what I am doing to the light.

I'll second that for him. I work in a man lift now and again and would feel very uncomfortable without the toe kick. Like he says , if you slip, there is nothing to keep you or your equipment from sliding right out under the railing. Never keep your wits or common sense as your backup plan, if something happens, panic usually will take over. I hate to say it but it does happen. I'm not the safety police by any means, i cut my ROPS in height by four inches, i've crawled out of the man lift at work several times and go to unhook the harness only to find I didn't connect it when I got in, etc, etc....

Steve