Timber Framers Guild Forums Tools Tool Forum all-terrain motorized, walk-behind fork lift?

Hello all...I was wondering if something that fits the subject description exists. I am thinking of something similiar to an all-terrain pallet jack, where I can stack, move, load and unload timbers, maybe with a mast height of 5'-6'. I am only looking to move one timber at a time. A Bobcat or all-terrain forklift would be too large and expensive for me at the present time. Do any of you know of a company that makes such a thing, or will I have to seek out a fabricator and have it custom made? Thanks for any and all input. Ron

There are numerous walk behind electric fork lifts available, but as far as I am aware all are designed for smooth floor service. http://www.liftscience.com/

Is this is along the lines of what you are describing ? I don’t know of any framers using one.

http://www.bobcat.com/loaders/product_lines/mini_track_loader

I’m not sure they can be had for much less than the cost of a normal skid steer, and they are not going to get trucks loaded or unloaded for you. Here’s a current ebay listing

http://cgi.ebay.com/2003-BOBCAT-MT50-WAL...1QQcmdZViewItem

A quick web-search will show you that Toro makes something similar in the happy homeowner class, but it won’t share the convenience of the quik-attach forks…

I’m still what I call a low tech framer, but feel hydraulic material handling is a required investment that both saves you and your clients money, and preserves your health.

BINGO ! ! Now do you have a model with two trunks,..errrrr, I mean forks???

used farm tractors are at an all time low price in my area..... definitely made for the great outdoors.

Hello Ron,

I'm an owner/builder facing the realities of material handling my timbers. I do have a timber cart but this only goes so far and is totally inadequate for 24 foot 10"X14" timbers. I have future plans to open a business offering timber frame garden / landscaping products. I cannot afford a skid steer, all terrain rubber forklift or a backhoe etc... So, I'm interested in what equipment you found to meet your needs.

Is your timber cart of such substance to handle the weight of 24' timbers? If balanced properly it should be ok. Do you live on a hill? Rob Hadden showed a picture of his wife pushing a timber up a grade at the recent conference. Is that a possibility?

Tim

You could build a bigger timber cart. You might start at the motorcycle scrap yard, and look for a matched set of front wheels...

Hi Tim, thanks for responding. The timbercart is advertised as having a 500lb capacity. When loading any dry white pine timbers beyond 8"X8"X16' the cart starts to have problems. Also, the brackets do not fit timbers beyond 8"x8" very well. I'm using a fair number of 8"X10"X24', 10"X12"X22', 10"X14"X22' etc... and the cart tires just deflate. Yes, I have some changes in elevation and it's all on gravel. The handling issue is also getting timbers on and off storage piles by myself, into the shop and out, back to storage etc.. I'm trying to work on an idea of using two truck axles and fabricating & welding together a gantry type of system that would be easy to move around by a single person. Know anyone on shoestring budget who has ever tried this?

Thanks Will,

If I could I'd buy a good used rubber tire all-terrain forklift, skid steer, backhoe or boom truck. I'm on a real tight budget to build my house and supporting a wife and two young kids. So, I'm seriously looking for a ways to move, lift and erect one timber at a time.