Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

Too_Many_Tools wrote:

Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

I managed to get my hands on a 3,000# cap Yale standup rider type
electric forklift in great shape for $300. No charger, so add another
$75 for a decent 10A 24V charger since I don't need to charge fully in
an 8hr shift. 3 stage mast and extension as well. The standup riders are
nice since they don't take up too much room. The only issue with these
is low ground clearance so a good concrete floor is essential.

Pete C.

I used to specify and order forklifts, but did not drive them.

The biggest issue for most forklifts is the surface they run on. If the
forklift will only run on concrete, all is well, any forklift will do.
Most forklifts have hard tires designed for hard surfaces. Good for
asphalt and concrete, but will tend to sink into gravel and other
surfaces. I would think that he heavy weight of a forklift on hard
tires would tend to sink into asphalt over time, even if OK to drive on.
Perhaps you could park it on steel plates to spread out the weight of
the tires on the asphalt. The rough terrain forklifts that will run on
dirt and grass tend to be wide and huge, probably impractical for inside
use. I am not sure what tires would be adequate for gravel, probably
pneumatic tires.

Free lift refers to how high the forks can go up before the mast starts
to extend. For some units, this is perhaps 15 inches, but it can be 4
feet or more. It depends on the application if this matters for you.
Important if you will drive inside tractor-trailers to unload
double-stacked loads, but could be important depending on the shop
ceiling height or door height.

Generally, forklifts come with forks that are 40 to 48 inches long. But
for some purposes, a boom with a hook is better than forks. Sometimes
you want longer forks. This could increase the cost of the forklift if
you need to buy a boom or forks later.

Forklifts have a rated capacity with the center of gravity around 2 feet
from the vertical part of the forks. You need to derate the capacity if
the center of gravity of the load is further out, which it often is.

Electric forklift batteries are expensive. Since the battery is part of
the counterweight, if you put in a lighter battery you must compensate
with other weight in the battery compartment.

Remember that you can usually rent forklift trucks if you only need one
once in a while. Personally, I would not own one just to unload the
occasional heavy tool purchase, but I would want one if I was often
working on parts that weighed hundreds of pounds.

My two cents
Richard


Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

A forklift is IMO not a good fit for a HSM type. You have to store the
damn thing, and maintain it. I suggest machinery skates like Bob Powell's:
http://www.dogpatch.com/bobp/shop/mover.htm

These are simple to make and work very well indeed. I made some and
galvanized them and they can be stored outside.

I have been offered a forklift for free and passed on it. - GWE

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

On 19 Apr 2005 10:01:35 -0700, "Too_Many_Tools"
wrote:

Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Hyster would be my first choice, Clark used to make a pretty good
machine too.

Issues regarding type of fuel,

Likely electric or propane. If electric, make sure you get th'
charger with it. Hyster chargers are a proprietary item and can be
spendy.

tires,

Depends on th' surfaces you'll use it on. Solid rubber tires for
concrete and asphalt, pneumatic for gravel, dirt, etc.

lift height,

Generally limited to th' gross wt it's rated for. What you want to
check is mast height with th' forks raised and compare that to your
shop door and ceiling height.

storage size

Depends, you can remove th' forks quite easily, thereby reducing total
length by 4' or 8' depending on how long you need them. Speakin' of
that, if you have 4' forks ask them if they'll throw in a set of 8'
extensions... never hurts to ask. They just slide over th' 4's and
come in real handy sometimes. If you have th' room/bucks, get a high
cube 20' cargo container to store it in.

and portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we)

If it has solid tires be wary of th' bed on whichever trailer it's
hauled on. I've seen th' wheels on a 5,000 lb'er go right through th'
bed on a car hauler. That was a fun one g. Most any heavy
equipment lowboy trailer will suffice. Having a local bud who has a
dump truck and a lowboy comes in real handy for this.

and where to look for one all come to mind.

Where do you live? I know a guy in Shelton, WA who can get good used
forklifts, and other types of heavy equipment. He buys them at
auction. Dealers themselves will also usually have used stock on
hand, likely more expensive.

If those don't work, go to major warehouse stores and ask their
shipping managers. Good luck.

I'll be looking for an electric 5k Hyster m'self here in a year or so.
Going to use it for an elevator to access th' 2nd floor of my shop.

Snarl

--

Snarl AH#67 BS#37 SENS
EKIII rides with me...

Yeah, I was thinkin this thread was designed to make the rest of us just
*feel* bad!
The option to rent fork lifts is pricey--$250/day in my area--which incl.
drop-off/pickup, I believe.
Yeah, skates'n'****, for the rest of us...
----------------------------
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll
"Grant Erwin" wrote in message
...
A forklift is IMO not a good fit for a HSM type. You have to store the
damn thing, and maintain it. I suggest machinery skates like Bob Powell's:
http://www.dogpatch.com/bobp/shop/mover.htm

These are simple to make and work very well indeed. I made some and
galvanized them and they can be stored outside.

I have been offered a forklift for free and passed on it. - GWE

Too_Many_Tools wrote:
Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

If you have the room to store one you will find they are quite handy.
Old ones with bad brakes and leaky hydraulics like mine are very cheap
because businesses cannot keep them. Mine must be 40 years old, the
coolant won't stay in, the alternator doen't charge and only the
emergency brake works but it comes in handy a couple of times a month.

stan

"Too_Many_Tools" wrote in message
ups.com...
Over the years like many of you, I have acquired machine tools that are
a tad bit on the heavy side (500lbs - 3000lbs) for the average HSMer to
deal with.

So now that I have gotten most of what I want in machines, now I decide
maybe I need..okay, who are we kidding here..I WANT a small forklift.
It must be a sign of getting old.

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

Issues regarding type of fuel, tires, lift height, storage size and
portability (gotta to drag it home, don't we) and where to look for one
all come to mind.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

TMT

I would suggest making a small rolling gantry crane or skates, or a engine
cherry picker and pipes to roll the equipment. I have a 10,000 lb capacity
hard tired forklift and I cannot take it outside and it has a long body so
it is a bear to manuever.
so if you go with a forklift get a pnuematic tire version that is as short
as possible. that way you can store it outside with a tarp over it when you
are not using it.

Too_Many_Tools writes:

What are the options for a small forklift that will be used on an
irregular basis to handle machines like a Bridgeport mill, a SB 14"
lathe, a DoAll bandsaw, a B&S surface grinder...machines that weigh in
the 500 - 3500lb. range?

I bought an old Hyster electric at an auction for $500 and paid $75 to have
a flatbed wrecker deliver it across town to my driveway, as shown in use
he

http://www.truetex.com/movebpt.htm

Not having a charger made the forklift especially cheap at auction. I
cobbled a slow 48V charger from a Lambda lab power supply.

I kept this forklift around for a few months until I found the Bridgeport I
wanted, and then I sold it on eBay for a small profit. It wouldn't fit
under my garage doors (8' mast height), and it was a rather odd thing to
have under a tarp in the driveway.

Seems like old electrics are cheap. This thing had enough lead in it to
justify its price at scrap value. Everybody wants propane these days.

It was great fun to learn to drive it around and let the kids play with it,
picking up trash cans and the like. How many kids can say they had a real
forklift to play with.

But like a lot of big stuff, you're glad when you finally get rid of it.
I've learned to move the big machines without it.

In article ,
stanley baer wrote:

If you have the room to store one you will find they are quite handy.
Old ones with bad brakes and leaky hydraulics like mine are very cheap
because businesses cannot keep them. Mine must be 40 years old, the
coolant won't stay in, the alternator doen't charge and only the
emergency brake works but it comes in handy a couple of times a month.

stan

That reminds me of an amusing story at school. Starts off a little
sad, though. My school got a hold of a big monarch lathe to put up for
auction. I was going to mention it in here, but the morons who strapped
it to the trailer dragged a chain across the levers, ripping a few off;
put one across the ways, leaving sizable dents; and had on chain TIGHT
over the spindle. So it's gonna get auctioned for less than it was
bought for unless an idiot shows up.
Anyway, we got the job of hauling it over the the other end of campus
and brining our 10,000lb Hyster (looks to be about 40 years old, and has
lifted 15,000+ without grunting much) with us. We discovered upon
starting the beast that the brakes had failed--leaked all the fluid out
while it was parked. We tried adding more, but it pumped it all out the
first time the brakes were used.
We wound up driving it across campus with the forks about an inch off
the ground--we'd drop 'em when we needed to stop. Gouged the street,
made an awful noise, and would have made anyone in charge of safety ****
right on the spot. The last time we stopped it we were moving fast
enough to make a lovely shower of sparks.
I wanted to see how in the hell anyone would manage to unload that
trailer with the brakes in such shape, but we were locked out and had to
go back home without unloading anything.
Exciting place, but I'm glad I'm getting out in two weeks!

--
B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net
http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/

B.B. wrote:
snip Hyster 15 Grand lifter

Years ago - in the mid 60's 'we' had a Hyster (several) that unloaded ships.

We had a dock and a pier, just not large enough for cranes. The Hysters
could tilt the wheels to a side or maybe two ways for a pair - so it cold
lean, or turn on the small roadway.

They were used to unload two overseas shipping 'vans' or one Ammo type that is 1/2 length.
We got most everything but fresh veggies by the Bear Line out of Oakland.

They were large enough an small enough to keep us full.

The island was 1.5 miles long, 500 yards wide. 8-10,000 people on it at a time.
(on the northern 1/3).

Martin

--
Martin Eastburn
@ home at Lion's Lair with our computer lionslair at consolidated dot net
NRA LOH, NRA Life
NRA Second Amendment Task Force Charter Founder