Tractor loader for scaffold?

[npaden]

Okay, I've thought about using my new tractor and loader for scaffolding this summer when painting the house.

My plans are to get some of the clamp on pallet forks and make a scaffold setup out of 3/4" plywood and a frame that will use the pallet forks at the widest that they will go on the loader about 5 1/2 feet apart. The platform will be reinforced and have slots for the forks so that the platform can't come off if you put too much weight on one end.

I would move the scaffold into place and use a ladder to get up to the platform once it was in place and the tractor was turned off with the parking brake set.

Would this qualify me for a Darwin award? It really seems pretty safe to me but maybe I'm overlooking something.

I would appreciate any input on this idea.

Thanks, Nathan

 

[npaden]

These are the type of bucket forks I'm talking about.

They make different lengths up to 46" of useable fork that would allow me to just use a full sheet of plywood and have plenty of work area on the scaffold. I could easily build some 2 x 4 rails to use also for saftey rails and just have a nice platform to work off of.

 

[beenthere]

It's been done before. I won't comment on how 'safe' it is. But you can understand that there is nothing to prevent a slow leak down, which may cause havoc with the house siding or whatever. Or there may be a hose break, that will provide a sudden drop. If you are on the scaffolding at the time, who knows how you will end up.

I've done it, but look for ways to avoid it. I've stood in the bucket and removed shingles from the roof, hoping that something bad wouldn't happen and I managed with no problem. I hope I didn't use up all the 'good luck'. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Casco1]

I'm looking now for a thread that showed a setup I want to build. I don't think I'd be happy with the clamp on forks. I have a QA with forks. But the setup I'm trying to find was built for bucket use. These are the only two pictures I have I hope they help.

 

[Casco1]

Picture 2

 

[CurlyDave]

My JD TLB 110 has a mechanical lock which can be used to prevent the FEL from lowering in the event of a hydraulic leak or failure.

While this is provided because the only way to get under the hood without climbing around in the bucket is to raise the bucket, it is effective and something similar might make your proposal more sane.

Of course, the JD lock does nothing to prevent curl/uncurl but take a look at the JD system and see what you could adapt. I bet you could provide a safety lock for both actions.

 

[dubba]

here is a link to an OSHA approved forklift work cage.

Keeping in mind that forklifts have no safety systems to prevent dropping the cage, (but you always fall straight down with a forklift), I think you could make something up for your tractor.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've read all the saftey warnings dealing with standing in a loader bucket, and have but one comment. It's all relative to your other options. We use backhoe buckets all the time around construction sites. It's far safer than some Rube Goldberg "Flying Wallenda" trapese scaffold that you might have to rig in order to do the same task. A #2 Dixon Pencil can be lethal in the wrong hands, where a shotgun is perfectly safe in the RIGHT hands. Be carefull, and get 'er done!

 

[JimMorrissey]

I don't see a problem with those type of forks. They're designed to lift 1500lbs or more. I doubt you'll even come close to loading them. If you're worried about them slipping off, then rig up some kind of small safety chain that connects you platform to the bucket.

 

[1948berg]

To be on the safe side if a pressure hose should brake, you could install safety valves on the cylinders that locks the oil in the cylinders if a hose brakes. With these valves you need oil pressure to get the loader down.