Tractor scaffolding

[MaltbyMower]

This may be just a crazy idea, but I’d like your input. I’ve been thinking about making some quick release forks for my Kubota L4350. Got me thinking, I have plenty of trees to prune and top, a tall house that occasionally needs pressure washing or touch up painting and a possible barn to build. Why not make a quick release scaffolding setup for my tractor?
I was thinking of making it about 10-12 ft tall. With the bucket raised I could get as high as 22 ft. Install a rope ladder so that I can move the tractor in place, park, climb to my platform and get to work.
I don’t have any drawings but I would image a small platform that would connect to the quick release arms, then. build the platform on top of that. I think that an eight foot wide platform with guard rails and safety chains would give you enough mobility.
Thoughts?

 

[bczoom]

Take a look in this thread

Brian

 

[beenthere]

Whatever works, and does it safely (given that some will think any such thing is not safe). But I am wondering what the "quick release" has to do with it. It has me baffled, and just doesn't sound 'safe'. If I am standing on a platform raised on the FEL, I don't want anything to do with 'quick release' of any kind. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

(I told about my experience painting a barn that was 50' up to the eaves, and placing a 40' extension ladder in the bucket of a Farmall C raised to its max. height to just barely reach the eaves to spray paint the barn. My cohort of the ripe age of 22 decided he could move the tractor around to save me from climbing down each time, except that the tractor wheel found a hole, the bucket moved too far, and the ladder slipped sideways down the side of the barn, with me on it. The tip of the ladder hit a large corner post, bending the ladder and causing me to break through it, but when I stopped I was standing upright with one hand on top of the wood corner post, and not a scratch. Sure made a mess of that borrowed ladder.)

 

[MaltbyMower]

Thanks, I searched on scaffolding before I posted, but I must have selected the wrong forum.
My idea seems closest to the last post except I'd like to go higher. After reading the reponses, the one that scared me the most was the bucket coming down.
I just drafted up a very rough drawing in Visio. I think that safety legs can be used to keep the bucket safe.

 

[MaltbyMower]

BTW, here is a shot of my tractor

 

[MaltbyMower]

Beenthere,

Thanks for the post, sounds scary. I think it would have to be a rule; no moving with someone on the scaffolding.

 

[beenthere]

That tractor looks pretty solid. I'd trust it.

Some braces on the lift cylinders that would hold them from contracting would be worthy of consideration, IMO. That would prevent something like a hose breaking, or an inadvertent passer-by from causing the bucket to drop suddenly.

Personnaly, I rent a lift to get up to my heights for window washing and tree trimming. It's about $75 for a ½ day and goes up to 36', and is trailered behind my SUV. Works great, and has a lot of safety features built in.

 

[MaltbyMower]

If you look at the rough sketch I did, I have 2.5" pipe for scaffold with 2.25 pipe that slides inside the 2.5" that can be un-bolted and lowered to ground. The inside pipe have feet that rest on the ground and then the bolts can be re-inserted for safety.

 

[Egon]

Why not build the scafflding on skids and move it into place.

Don't like the idea of just having the bucket to hold everything up.

Egon

 

[MaltbyMower]

You bring up a good point. The only drawback I can see it the ground isn't always the best where I need to use it (under trees, against house etc...)