Tractor for a specific use. Must handle 3,000 pounds.

[roadhunter]

It appears you're missing the difference between the rated operating capacity, and the actual lifting ability of the machine. My neighbor has a nice Bobcat T200, and it's rated at something like 2,100lbs, but it can lift several times that amount...I'm certain of that from having used it. ROC is around 35% of the tipping load as I recall. In short, I don't think you'd have a problem finding a skid steer that can handle lifting 3K.

That doesn't talk to the issue of raised loads, but I think that a solution for that could be found if you wanted to, and it's possible to have slightly raised loads that you can step over, rather than go under.

Good point. I always forget to add the "extra" capacity.

Sounds like a side entry skid steer might be a good option. That unit Eric posted the video of was nice.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I have looked at them but the issue is if they will tilt out enough for logs to roll/slide off the forks. or tilt back enough to hold logs while moving. I'm not sure if it would work. I wish that would work as those can be had fairly inexpensively.

Folks here are using them around their mills, that's all a friend of mine uses for logs at his mill, as he has a small loader tractor that won't handle bigger logs....

I would take a better look at them, if I was you...

SR

 

[roadhunter]

Try looking at this website to get an idea on prices for used rough terrain forklifts...
Rough Terrain Forklift For Sale

Thanks for the info. How do you think that would work holding posts on the forks while driving without being able to tip them back really far? OR letting a bundle of posts slide off the forks onto a truck. I asked a guy selling a off road fork lift and he told me to speed up and hit the brakes. I'm concerned that there would be issues unless the mast adjustment was modified to allow more tilt.

 

[roadhunter]

duplicate

 

[roadhunter]

Folks here are using them around their mills, that's all a friend of mine uses for logs at his mill, as he has a small loader tractor that won't handle bigger logs....

I would take a better look at them, if I was you...

SR

I understand. I can see them working great for handling saw logs. I"m thinking about trying to handle 20+ mixed 4"-10" logs. Essentially a full load on 48" forks. On the tractor I typically have to tilt the forks back quite a bit when driving and then down quite a bit to get them to slide off. That's is where I am concerned.

I wish I could convince myself that it would work as I know where a pretty clean one is for under 10k.

 

[flusher]

To SAFELY handle 3000 lb loads, I'd look for a pre-owned wheel loader.
Here's a photo of my neighbor's Allis Chalmers 545 loader.
You can find something like this used quite a bit less expensive than a 100 hp tractor.



Good luck

 

[roadhunter]

I ran out and out an took some pics as sometimes pics are better. This is about as much as the tractor can handle. IF it was green it would be about half of that. This shows how they look on a set of forks and what happens as they are flattened out and logs roll off. My concern is they will roll off the end of the forks when driving and the logs near the back of the forks would not want to come off when unloading. But I could be way off as I do not have much experience on a off road forklift.

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[Sawyer Rob]

I understand. I can see them working great for handling saw logs. I"m thinking about trying to handle 20+ mixed 4"-10" logs. Essentially a full load on 48" forks. On the tractor I typically have to tilt the forks back quite a bit when driving and then down quite a bit to get them to slide off. That's is where I am concerned.

I wish I could convince myself that it would work as I know where a pretty clean one is for under 10k.

For the money you would save, you could install a really nice single arm grapple on that fork lift and it will hold plenty of small logs, and have a pile of money left over...

I love my grapple for that kind of work!

SR

 

[GManBart]

A backhoe with a set of forks and/or a grapple would do a good job of dealing with logs like that, and it won't take a new/expensive one to do so. Any full size backhoe should be able to toy with 3K pounds. These are somewhat bigger logs (smallest probably 10"), and 60" forks, but you get the idea:

 

[roadhunter]

Some great advice so far. I really appreciate it.

I can see where a skid steer would be good for this kind of work along with a stand alone tractor to run the peeler. For now I am going to get an all in one machine that can do it all but I am going to start looking for an old propane tractor to run the peeler and once I get that I may look for a skid steer.

For now I am going to stick with a machine that will do both which will also allow me to take my operation portable. I really like the idea of a "construction" grade tractor (like the one above) because of all the lifting I will be doing. I've decided against the John Deere and found a JCB that I like the looks of. I went ahead and made an offer on this, and they accepted. It's a long ways away but it's much nicer and a better deal than the similar units in Iowa IMO.
JCB 212SU 4x4x4 Cab AC Only 768 Original Hours PTO 4 1 Bucket EX CA City | eBay