Using a tractor as a Fork lift

Yandaddy1110 · May 18, 2011

Im kinda in the same boat, I bought a tractor to unload merchandise on pallets off a semi-trailer @ my home. Front loader with fork attachment works for now, but a rear forklift mast would work much better and safer. They can be had fairly cheap from used forklift dealers. You would want a tractor with 2 rear hydraulic remotes so you could attach a hydraulic 3rd link for tilt. Also the mast should have heavy steel wheels welded to the bottom so the mast does all the lifting, not your 3point hitch. There doesnt seem to be alot of info/talk around here on tbn about the subject. Dont know why such an attachment would be almost as useful as a front loader imo.

texasjohn · May 19, 2011

To lift 2500 lbs you're going to need to REALLY check out the specs on the FEL....imho you 're looking at a 55-60hp tractor, properly weighted in the rear, to be able to do that. A vertical mast on the rear would work, but as you noted there aren't a lot built that way, and for that kind of weight you REALLY want something with true engineering behind it, not just some pieces welded together.

CurlyDave · May 19, 2011

I think the difference between 1500 lbs and 2500 lbs is a very expensive difference.

If you have a need for a tractor anyway, consider limiting what you will dismantle to vehicles where the components are under 1500 lbs. A fork lift attachment is going to be 200-300 lbs which must be taken into account when selecting a tractor.

Start smaller and when you can afford it get a used forklift.

Cidertom · May 19, 2011

I've picked #2700 +/- with the 400 CX on my JD 4520. Have rear wheels loaded, had Backhoe on, and was still light. Had to extend dipper, and fill bucket with lead bricks. Otherwise a stop caused the rear wheels to come off ground. Over book value, probably near a failure mode, but got job done. I routinely pick ton pallets with the forks on the cx but it must be ballasted well for safety. Book called for filled, wheel weights, and ballast box.

The CX is nice for pallets as it is self leveling. Not so great for material buckets but everything is a compromise.