Work Platform For FEL

texasjohn · Jan 28, 2008

Gary, Great job!!! I'm envious... gotta put this on my build list!

PAGUY · Jan 28, 2008

Okay how about this idea as an add on - A ladder that is similar to a tree stand ladder that goes together in sections that are 4 ft im length. This could attach to the front of the platform to stabilize and climb up on to the platform. Would it not also help in case of hydralic failure as a support?

Just trying to improve a neat idea already.

I like that portable deer stand idea.

Kendrick · Jan 28, 2008

like a attic style fold out? some even come with hand rails

gemini5362 · Jan 28, 2008

Thank you for the responses to my question. I understand that it would be a lot of work to customize. I was thinking more in line of people making one from scratch. One of the things that I know people are worried about with these is keeping them attached to the forks so they dont slide off if you get the FEL at a bad angle. If you make them with the quick attach, you wont have to worry about having them securely attached to the tractor. I would think that it would not be any more trouble to make the quick attach than it would be to make the mounts that slide over the forks.

skidsteer.ca · Jan 28, 2008

gemini5362 said:
I have a question. Everyone that has one of these that has posted has it made to slide over their forks. At least one poster has a quick attach on his tractor. Why not just make it so that it fits on your quick attach and save the weight of the forks. Do you use the forks underneath to help with the floor being more solid ?

Well I did mine that way so I could load pallets on the platform with the forks, then pick the platform up and carry it off.

My forks have one tine drilled to mount a trailer ball in the end, the platform has a holed drilled to align with this and a simple 3/4" pin slides through to prevent it from simple sliding off.

By the time you reinforced the QA plate to the platform, you would be lucky to save 200 lbs. I guess if you planned to lift heavy loads and use it alot, it would be well worth the extra cost and time.

I wonder why I appear to be the only one who built it taller?

Ken

skipmarcy · Jan 28, 2008

gemini5362 said:
Thank you for the responses to my question. I understand that it would be a lot of work to customize. I was thinking more in line of people making one from scratch. One of the things that I know people are worried about with these is keeping them attached to the forks so they dont slide off if you get the FEL at a bad angle. If you make them with the quick attach, you wont have to worry about having them securely attached to the tractor. I would think that it would not be any more trouble to make the quick attach than it would be to make the mounts that slide over the forks.

My forks are home-made from receiver tubing and bolt to my old 5' bucket, which is QA, I've had this rig for several years. The platform I built is all wood and it was very simple to cut the slots for the forks on the underside and then drill a hole thru the floor over each fork and slip a bolt thru to keep the platform from sliding off the forks. Just built this a couple months ago. The last weld-on QA plate I bought was $185 and was pretty heavy. My rig as is worked well for me with minimal work and investment. For me, the platform is strictly a 2-man (or 3) operation, don't need/want ladders etc. I'll be in the tractor seat too, with the 2nd guy on the platform. Don't have any safety harness or such, but built the railing around with 4x4's and 2x4's and is about 4' high. A toe rail on the floor all around would be helpful, we found, but the sawdust really piles up quick and is a hazard in itself too. Will be experimenting with different ideas when I have time to fool with it, haven't used it again since the big trim job we did. It may sit there for 6 months or more but is nice to know it's there if I need it and only have maybe $50 of scrap lumber in it.

GaryBDavis · Jan 29, 2008

skidsteer.ca said:
I wonder why I appear to be the only one who built it taller?

Because you are the only one that brave. The rest of us are too lazy to climb up it anyway.

Seriously, my FEL goes high enough to get my feet 10 feet off the ground and riding in it while the tractor is moved around is not too uneasy, but add any more height and it probably would be.

To keep my platform from sliding off the pallet forks, I use two straps and a back up safety chain.

gemini5362 · Jan 29, 2008

skipmarcy said:
My forks are home-made from receiver tubing and bolt to my old 5' bucket, which is QA, I've had this rig for several years. The platform I built is all wood and it was very simple to cut the slots for the forks on the underside and then drill a hole thru the floor over each fork and slip a bolt thru to keep the platform from sliding off the forks. Just built this a couple months ago. The last weld-on QA plate I bought was $185 and was pretty heavy. My rig as is worked well for me with minimal work and investment. For me, the platform is strictly a 2-man (or 3) operation, don't need/want ladders etc. I'll be in the tractor seat too, with the 2nd guy on the platform. Don't have any safety harness or such, but built the railing around with 4x4's and 2x4's and is about 4' high. A toe rail on the floor all around would be helpful, we found, but the sawdust really piles up quick and is a hazard in itself too. Will be experimenting with different ideas when I have time to fool with it, haven't used it again since the big trim job we did. It may sit there for 6 months or more but is nice to know it's there if I need it and only have maybe $50 of scrap lumber in it.

I also noticed the prices on those quick attach plates I am currently building one for my forks which I am talking about in another post. I guess I need to get some pictures of it in there. I am finding out that the quick attach is a breeze to make and I am going to have about 40 or so worth of steel in mine. I did not make a one piece bracket like the ones I have seen. I am not sure what the advantage of that is I am using 1/2 x 3 strap. Since I am putting it on my forks I will be picking up some fairly heavy loads and will get a chance to see how well it works.

BigfishTX · Apr 1, 2009

EddieWalker said:
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

Eddie,

I loved your pic...yes, that is more like I had to do last night. I also generally work alone. A huge dead tree fell a few feet from our house and I had to climb up and prune what was left.

I leaned the ladder against the raised FEL just like you did in your pic. But I then chained the ladder to the FEL and adjusted it to be under slight tension on the ground.

Everything was very solid and secure. The ladder was mostly just to have something to hold on to and to climb to get up to the FEL platform, like you did. I then used an extension electric chain saw on a pole to prune from there (I think it is a Toro).

I am going to pick up a mountain climbing harness as well today, and will clip it to the FEL (or secured ladder) as added safety. With this system, I definitely feel much safer than just climbing a ladder. I'll post some pics later. BigfishTX

Lineman North Florida · Apr 1, 2009

Working for a power company I cant tell you how many people I have seen hurt trying to do tree work from ladders, what you have built is much safer, looks like a good job to me.