real world tractor costs

Libertine · Jan 8, 2004

OkeeDon:

Nice description. Don't know if you have the QT FEL or not, but if you do you might consider pallet forks. I bought some 3-4 months ago and they are much handier & quicker for jobs like you are describing. With the QT (skid steer compatible) FEL it literally take 30seconds to 1 minute to drop the bucket and curl the arms into the forks. I used to have to do the same stuff you're talking about (hooking up a chain-although I like choker straps), trying to get the load balanced etc. Now, on most heavier stuff I move I can lift from the bottom, or, if I have to lift from top its easier to hook on. I didn't realize until after I bought them, how handy pallet forks are.

Rabbit was a nice car & handled well. Had one in, I think it was, 1974. But got rid of it because the add-on A/C kept causing the crankshaft pulley to fall off. Also didn't like the idea of valve adjustment with shims (alrhough I guess that works ok). Thanks for the reply.

JEH

PineRidge · Jan 8, 2004

OkeeDon I also purchased a set of FEL QT pallet forks for off loading semi trucks. The forks however have come in very handy for countless other projects as well. I have also found that if a heavy implement needs moved quickly the pallet forks are quicker that hooking the implement up to the 3-point.

OkeeDon · Jan 8, 2004

Maybe some day for the pallet forks. I don't have a quick attach for the bucket/accessories; to the best of my knowledge, the only one available for the 12LA loader is from ATI. I looked at using a skid steer type device, which I would have had to fabricate or modify to make it fit, but I think it would cut my capacity too much because of the extra weight.

I also own a very old Hyster fork lift truck that is currently not useable, but is restorable at fairly low cost. I need to get it going again, or buy another one, because even with pallet forks, my 12LA won't lift high enough to get "stuff" into the loft of the barn I'm about to build -- the floor of the loft will be about 16' above the ground.

Libertine · Jan 9, 2004

OkeeDon:

Yeah, without the quick attach would take too much time. Adding forks to bucket would cost too much weight.

Hmmm, 16' lift. Seems it doesn't matter how big your equipment, somethings always going to come along it won't reach. The 16LA has a decent lift, but sometimes that's a stretch-was loading an 8' high pile of logs, busted up fencing, etc. into a special "wood" dumpster a few days ago and could barely lift over the sides (8' + feet off the ground). Ah well.

JEH