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.

Hi Mark,
Your absolutely right, farm tractors can be a good option. A farm tractor with forks has been on mind for quite sometime. In the past I discounted it due to the limitations it would have in comparison to a skid steer with all it's attachments etc. My serious lack of money will not allow me to have rich taste. I'm located in the Kaministiquia valley which is west of Thunder Bay, ON. We tend to refer to ourselves as living on an island as we're either 8-10 hours from another city. Even though we've actually been in a recession for six years now used machinery just keeps going up in price. The farming community is relatively small. To find any breaks you have to go to Winnipeg, Minneapolis MN US or down your way either central or S-ON along with the cost of shipping or trailering it back.

Hi Clark,

Yes, I did consider building a beefier timber cart and have been thinking about a gantry type all-terrain rig on four wheels/2 axles that I could push around the yard to timber piles. The problem isn't necessarily moving around the gravel terrain with the cart but loading and unloading timbers from the pile and getting them into the shop, test fitting and ground assembly by myself. I have a lot of friends but they're getting old, lazy and never around when I want favour returned.

On another topic Clark, I've been wanting to ask you if you'd be interested in teaching a two day course in timber frame joinery desing using google sketchup for beginners at North House Folk School in Grand Marais. If so, how do we make it happen. Interest is there as no one is teaching it in northern Minnesota and NW Ontario.

Just got back from North House yesterday. I'd be willing, but you should start by contacting the school. Ask for Greg Wright.

Regarding getting timber on/off the cart, you'll be surpised a what you can accompish using fulcrums near the center of the timber. CB.

I used a garden cart / wagon (4 wheeled) on the last frame I solo cut. When timber arrived I carefully staged materials with a rented 4x forklift (to get things off the truck). I made some oak stickers / levers that I used and 80% of the timber was moved in and out of the shop on my own.

I was working in a 3 bay shop. Outside of the end bay had all my major timber in 4 piles stacked 2 to a side, about chest high (higher for the smaller stuff). Tarped as needed. timber cart could be rolled out between the piles and I could pull materials in and out as needed.

It took some planning - but I would move timber in, layout and join in the end bay, then slide over to the middle bay for oiling / finishing. Timbers would then roll out and be stacked - either back on the original bunks, or into a finish pile and tarped. Was even able to handle some 8x16x26' sticks by myself...

Amazing what you can move with some levers, stickers, and balance points.

I really wanted one of those bicycle wheel carts... never had the time to make one up.

This is what I used to good success - removed the sides and bolted down some softwood blocks: (mine was yellow, picked up from a local garden center)



Handle was just left up between sticks (I'd often bring in 2 sticks at a time). I had a pretty straight shot in - and with the handle up I still had some steering capability when I needed to move things to a further away finish pile...

Mike, that is funny, it may have worked, but is funny. I can see you as a kid pulling your little red wagon with 8X8X16' timber in it.
I do think the 50's and 60's tractor with forklift on it is one of the best low end options right now. I am considering one myself. I have completely restored two antique tractors from the 50's(to mow with), so I'm looking at one of the same make and era as I already know how to work on it.

On a funny note, don't you wish you had one of those loaders from the movie "Aliens"? That would be awesome to move timbers with!


Someone is actually working on it here:
A real aliens loader

Then you'd need to add a chain mortiser, laser level, drills with various bits, planer, router, etc. etc. Maybe some VR goggles for looking at the SketchUp model... and we'd go back to that whole 'CNC vs old skool' debate.




And if we go there, I'm taking my wagon and going home.


But yes, old tractors work well. We used an old (John Deer maybe?) model with some very limited forks that were attached to a bucket once to move some barn timbers. Just enough to get the job done, which is all you can ask for.


If you want to get into tight spaces - check this out: