"Pete C." wrote in message
...
Too_Many_Tools wrote:

I am interested in learning what is available for a SMALL forklift to
be used in a HSM environment.

Requirements would be a weight range of up to 3000 pounds and the need
to cover soft ground (i.e. one's backyard). For power, it would be nice
to be either LPG or electric because of the intermittent usage
expected. Total weight would be considered because one might want to
bring it along to load auction wins...the heavier the forklift, the
less one would have left to load on the trailer for machines before
reaching the weight limit of the trailer.

While on the subject, what is the SMALLEST forklift available in the
used market?

Thanks

TMT

The closest thing to what you want is the "Spider" lifts that you see
stuck on the back of delivery semis. You aren't likely to find them on
the used market for a while and they won't be cheap.

Nearly everything on the used market will be a hard tire, low clearance
unit that requires a good paved surface. These units vastly outnumber
rough terrain units and so the few rough terrain units that make it to
the used market are either very expensive or very beat.

As has been noted, a skid steer with forks is good for rough terrain
however the skid steers are still quite expensive used if they have any
life left in them, and forks for them would be a rare find used since
they aren't all that popular and whoever has them will typically use
them on their next skid steer.

I have a 743 Bobcat and forks. The capacity is limited and any undulations
in the ground complicate manuevers with a load. The 800 series can pick up a
lot more, but less than a small forklift. Visibility is limited when the
forks are at box truck height. You will save yourself a lot of trouble if
you buy a trailer that has no or very low sides. The typical cheapo
Doolittle type landscape trailer with the tube rail along the sides
complicates loading and unloading tremendously.