Work Platform For FEL

[GaryBDavis]

I had this 4'x4' platform lying around that came off a staircase at a concrete plant and I decided to put it to good use. I cut holes to fit my pallet forks, added a railing and called it a work platform. There are anchors welded on each side for straps to hold the platform tight to the pallet forks back carriage and a safety was added chain for back up.

My FEL will lift the bottom of the platform to about 10 feet. Add me and my pole saw and I can now get limbs up to about 20 feet.

I know a FEL isn't design to lift people and I'll take hits from the safety police on this project, but it sure is safer than standing in the bucket while I trim trees.

 

[MrJimi]

Looks great gary, I've been wanting to make something like that for my boom pole in my gallery. I like yours be careful and alway have a good operator running the machine
Jim

 

[Hookblock]

I would take your setup any day. In subdivisons arond here you will see guys in a man basket (or a pallet) on the end of a forklift 30-40' in the air,on a side hill in 3' of mud. You have side rails, the basket is tied to the loader. You even have the helmit, face sheild, and ear protection. I get the ear protection right but thats about it when I cut wood. I think it's a good job, and a safe idea.

 

[gemini5362]

Gary I think you are right about the safety police having a caniption over this. I personally think you did a great job. I spent a lot of years in a steel mill working off of a similar basket to that only attached to a forklift. For everyone that says something bad about your setup I challenge them to point out where a ladder doing the same job is safer. I know the stock one is going to be that a ladder wont fall down if is placed properly. My reply to that is that you can fall off a ladder a lot easier than you can that platform.

 

[Redbug]

That's pretty cool, Gary. I have seen metal pallets, but have never been fortunate enough to snag one or two. When I do get one, it will be on the welding list...

Just thinking about other applications...If you added a portable top and put skirting around it and a stool inside, you could have a portable deer stand! Of course, I'm not sure how you would get in and out if it were raised...

 

[billbill1]

The safety police can leave you alone on that one, I have been in the basket on a forklift-many times and none were built as good as that. Tied to the tractor and even has non-skid floor. Great job, thank you for sharing.

 

[Renze]

I want to build one myself, as i think next year its time to do a major treecutting roundup again...

the only thing i would add to that, is an overhead rail to protect you from falling tree limbs after you cut them. branches tangled up high in the tree, can drop unpredictable. It also protects your tractor from treelimbs scratching the paint off while coming down..

 

[davitk]

I so want one. Very nice

 

[weldingisfun]

Very nice! Found any more of those platforms lying around cluttering up the place? If you do, let me know. I'll haul it off.

 

[EddieWalker]

Gary,

Very nice. My problem is that I do most things on my own and the idea of being up there with somebody else driving scares me. Obviously, I don't trust my choices of operators. LOL

My solution is to park the tractor and climb a ladder up to the bucket to have a working platfrom. Could you add a sliding ladder to the side of your platform so that you can work by yourself?

Eddie