The Handiest Thing I ever Built (Manlift)

[charlie C]

The strap is bolted to the bucket but yes it is the only thing that holds it in. I will use a safety chain later.

 

[Deerlope]

Nice job but you need to add some 6" toe boards around the bottom. They will keep anyone from slipping of the platform.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Interesting on the tilt attach. Is that a type of quick attach, or something that goes one a quick attach?

Any idea if it can be mounted on a compact tractor? I can see all sorts of uses.

Yes the Tilt-Tach has SkidSteer female on the tractor side and SS male on the implement side. It spaces the implement about 4" forward. Weighs about 100#. It may be a bit much with the extra weight and reach on a compact. I have one on my 7520 and altho the tractor acts no different, I know I will notice reduced lift if I start using it hard. Its built pretty strong, but I know the tractor can damage it so Im treating it carefully. I remove it when not needed.
larry

 

[JB4310]

When I bought my mew tractor I want to build something for it, I purchased my pallet forks, which I must say is the best investment for a tractor, I dont pick up anything anymore. Then I went to work on my manlift. This was so easy to build, and I must say that it has been the handiest thing I have ever built. I knew I was going to build a pole barn and I couldnt see doing it with out one of these. I wish I had pictures to share of every application I used it on building the barn. But I couldnt have done it with out this. And yes before the hydraulic police show up dont bother, I will take my chances over a 16 foot step ladder any day. I welded safety chains to attach the tractor for a little extra. I just thought I would share. Fun project though....and come in so handy.

Looks great, I want to do one also since I have the forks already, to bad there isn't a way to control the loader remotely from the platform that way it could be a one man operation.
I agree with you about the safety factor, I would not be to worried about using it a 1/10 the loaders capacity, I would strongly recommend a fall protection harness, because you will be leaning out or standing on the rails to reach things.
I know a guy that wants to sell one for a factory forklift, he wants to much though, I'm just gonna start with a pallet and build up some wood sides, use it for tree trimming, maybe gutter cleaning, painting etc.

We rent the boom lifts in our building maintenance business, from 40 footers to 110 footers, 60's and 80's mostly.
Here's a 110 footer in action.
JB,

 

[Timber]

Yup thats a condor lift. I have license for 1 of those. You can actually catapult yourself out of the basket if you don't know what your doing. Tire flex alone is several feet in the basket. 7 feet of lanyard is perfect for pounding you pretty good on the outside of the basket.

Just a note on using a pallet as a platform & I do not recommend it at all but the bottom boards are more important than the top ones to keep it from flipping off your forks

 

[Stampeder]

I do use a counter balance (grader or box blade usually)just to make it more stable.....Its actually very stable.

I really like your design. I have been planning on building just what you did, but it's a little down the job list. Do you have any sketches with dimensions you can provide?
I also really like your pole barn. I need to build one to keep my square bales, plus add a lean to for a horse run-in and to feed them in the winter. What are it's dimensions as well. Plus, did you build your own trusses? Do you a plan for those as well or even just a description of their sizes and layout would be fine.

Great job, I look forward to more pictures of your pole barn. You are doing great work.

Cheers.
Glenn.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

...Unfortunately the tractor hydraulics are not designed for this type of application.

Fill me in, Egon. What's different about this application vs. simple lifting and other stuff we all do with our FELs

 

[yzbdsbp]

I really like your design. I have been planning on building just what you did, but it's a little down the job list. Do you have any sketches with dimensions you can provide?
I also really like your pole barn. I need to build one to keep my square bales, plus add a lean to for a horse run-in and to feed them in the winter. What are it's dimensions as well. Plus, did you build your own trusses? Do you a plan for those as well or even just a description of their sizes and layout would be fine.

Great job, I look forward to more pictures of your pole barn. You are doing great work.

Cheers.
Glenn.

Stampeder..I dont have any sketches, but I did take some pictures while building, really the only thing I did was pull the tractor into the shop, put 2 peices of 4" "C" channel on the forks so i could get the max width and built up from there, really easy took less than a day to weld up. It ened up being a little shy of 4x4 basically pallet size.
The trusses are 24' I didnt build them myself but I did tell a local guy what I wanted and he built them for me probably alot cheaper than I could have done it myself. The peak is close to 14' in the middle and the pitch is 3/12 Im in the process now of adding a 12' lean-to to bothe sides of the barn. It to has been a fun project, but I have found out that Im getting to old to be climbing around on roofs anymore!
Just let me know if you need some more info I will be glad to help in any way I can...

 

[yzbdsbp]

We rent the boom lifts in our building maintenance business, from 40 footers to 110 footers, 60's and 80's mostly.
Here's a 110 footer in action.
JB,

Those are some awsome pics, I saw them on here when I was building my manlift. Dont know that I could go that high, got to really respect guys like you that do those type jobs! I do love looking at pics like that though

 

[Stampeder]

Stampeder..I dont have any sketches, but I did take some pictures while building, really the only thing I did was pull the tractor into the shop, put 2 peices of 4" "C" channel on the forks so i could get the max width and built up from there, really easy took less than a day to weld up. It ened up being a little shy of 4x4 basically pallet size.
The trusses are 24' I didnt build them myself but I did tell a local guy what I wanted and he built them for me probably alot cheaper than I could have done it myself. The peak is close to 14' in the middle and the pitch is 3/12 Im in the process now of adding a 12' lean-to to bothe sides of the barn. It to has been a fun project, but I have found out that Im getting to old to be climbing around on roofs anymore!
Just let me know if you need some more info I will be glad to help in any way I can...

Thanks for getting back to me.
I figured the manlift must be about 4X4. Did you use 1X1 box for the rails?

What are the dimensions of your pole barn? Also, I'm really interested in building my own trusses as I have the necessary welding equipment in my shop and it will be less costly as well. What are the dimensions of your trusses and what's the angle for the bridging?

Looking forward to seeing pictures of the lean to's as well.
For mine I want to use the pole barn for storing square bales. The lean to's for loafing shed on one side and my equipment storage on the other. This is why your design turns out to fit my needs really well. You're just a few months ahead of me.

Thanks again.
Glenn.