Platform/cage

BoFuller · May 4, 2013

I'd like to make a platform/cage to use while building my log home. It will be lifted and moved around with my telehandler, so weight is not an issue. I want to be able to lift people and materials for working on walls and roof, so it must be strong and safe.
For the base, I'm thinking a 4X8 sheet of 3/4 plywood attached to three 8 ft 4X4s going lengthwise and under that, four 4 ft 4X4s going widthwise. That will give me plenty of room to get the forks under it.
Now I'm looking for ideas for the framework for the railings, probably 4 feet high, all the way around, with 1 or 2 gates. Maybe 2X6s? What's the best way to attach them? And brace them?
I've built several pallets for various needs (generator, air compressor, diesel fuel drums, tractor bucket, etc), but nothing with sides on it yet. I would hate to waste a bunch of lumber trying various methods.
Any ideas and/or diagrams would be appreciated.

davedj1 · May 4, 2013

"I'd like to make a platform/cage to use while building my log home. It will be lifted and moved around with my telehandler, so weight is not an issue. I want to be able to lift people and materials for working on walls and roof, so it must be strong and safe.

OSHA won't like you! I think three sided would be fine, kind of hard to do anything with the railing in front of you, and wear a safety harness! 10' - 12' long is plenty. A few 2x10's lengthwise with slots cut in for the forks, kind of like making a platform, don't forget to chain the whole shooting match to the back of the forks. BE CAREFUL.

dstig1 · May 4, 2013

Bo, it needs to be secured to the forks for safety. It is way too easy to flip a platform off forks unless it is securely attached. The forks need to be "captured" so there is platform structure all around them (forks in a tube, if you will). Then you need to chain it to the forks so it can't slide off.

BeezFun · May 5, 2013

Here's what I built. Side rails weren't strong enough to resist diagonal racking, I added diagonal bracing. I wish I'd built gates into the design, I felt like a monkey by the time I got done crawling under the railing. I used simpson rafter tie downs and joist angles to secure the uprights to the base. My plywood is 1/2", that was a little light. Three 2x4s under the plywood run the long way and rest on the aluminum square tubing coming off my bucket. First stupid thing I did was not tie platform down securely along the back edge and I almost flipped the whole thing off the aluminum tubing. Front edge is bolted. The other thing that surprised me was how much ballast I needed. You've got a bigger tractor and using forks will keep the load closer to the tractor, but I had to hang about 400# on my 3pt to keep it from being tippy. Also if you stand at the extreme right or left side of platform it's easy to lift the opposite rear wheel of tractor, especially if you're not on level ground.
I built my entire pole barn with that scaffold, it was worth it's weight in gold. I also used it to do the roof, made it easy to start the first few courses, then haul all the shingles up there.

BoFuller · May 6, 2013

BeezFun said:
Here's what I built. Side rails weren't strong enough to resist diagonal racking, I added diagonal bracing. I wish I'd built gates into the design, I felt like a monkey by the time I got done crawling under the railing. I used simpson rafter tie downs and joist angles to secure the uprights to the base. My plywood is 1/2", that was a little light. Three 2x4s under the plywood run the long way and rest on the aluminum square tubing coming off my bucket. First stupid thing I did was not tie platform down securely along the back edge and I almost flipped the whole thing off the aluminum tubing. Front edge is bolted. The other thing that surprised me was how much ballast I needed. You've got a bigger tractor and using forks will keep the load closer to the tractor, but I had to hang about 400# on my 3pt to keep it from being tippy. Also if you stand at the extreme right or left side of platform it's easy to lift the opposite rear wheel of tractor, especially if you're not on level ground.
I built my entire pole barn with that scaffold, it was worth it's weight in gold. I also used it to do the roof, made it easy to start the first few courses, then haul all the shingles up there.

Thanks. That's what I was looking for.
Ballast won't be a problem. I'm lifting it with my Gradall telehandler, which is good for 9,000 lbs