Anyone make a one man FEL lift?

[Fuddy1952]

In a few weeks I need to install a large fan in a cupola.
My tractor FEL works great me getting in bucket cutting high limbs or extension ladder in it.
I raise it where I want, easy to climb up and in. This cupola project is 15 ft. up. Floor is concrete (level). With backhoe on that gives lots of rear weight plus I can use stabilizers.
Has anyone fabricated a working lift for bucket? I could simply strap a 4x8 sheet of plywood to it. Any ideas appreciated.
I'll have quite a bit of measuring, cutting, bolting things, wiring to do.

 

[/pine]

In a few weeks I need to install a large fan in a cupola.
My tractor FEL works great me getting in bucket cutting high limbs or extension ladder in it.
I raise it where I want, easy to climb up and in. This cupola project is 15 ft. up. Floor is concrete (level). With backhoe on that gives lots of rear weight plus I can use stabilizers.
Has anyone fabricated a working lift for bucket? I could simply strap a 4x8 sheet of plywood to it. Any ideas appreciated.
I'll have quite a bit of measuring, cutting, bolting things, wiring to do.

Sorry to be contrary but I would rent some construction scaffolding...

 

[Diggin It]

Some of use the IBC Tote cages for low projects. I use it for hedge trimming for example, but never more than 4' or so above ground. I wouldn't even consider it for 15'.

 

[Fuddy1952]

I thought of that also. The advantage of tractor I was thinking is I can load things on it, raise it up where I need it.
I forgot to mention I have a body safety harness I bought a few years ago that I could easily strap to a rafter.
Scaffolding probably safer, but this may be more versatile? Right now just getting ideas. Thanks!

 

[Big Barn]

My loaders all have quick attaches for different buckets as well as forks.

This is the man lift I made for forks.

 

[aczlan]

In a few weeks I need to install a large fan in a cupola.
My tractor FEL works great me getting in bucket cutting high limbs or extension ladder in it.
I raise it where I want, easy to climb up and in. This cupola project is 15 ft. up. Floor is concrete (level). With backhoe on that gives lots of rear weight plus I can use stabilizers.
Has anyone fabricated a working lift for bucket? I could simply strap a 4x8 sheet of plywood to it. Any ideas appreciated.
I'll have quite a bit of measuring, cutting, bolting things, wiring to do.

I would use an IBC tote cage at minimum. I would also chain the bucket or forks (so it can't dump you out) and clamp a piece of angle to the loader lift cylinder (so that it can't drop).

Aaron Z

 

[zzvyb6]

You can rent a trailer mounted boom-lift pretty cheap. I like them so much that I bought one. 15' is not that high. Can you mount a standard 3pt boom pole to the loader bucket to get the fan up there and then configure the fan from a ladder ?

 

[Professor Marvel]

you can just get a long 2x2 and duct tape it to the loader stick so you can operate it "remotely" :laughing:

 

[Fuddy1952]

My loaders all have quick attaches for different buckets as well as forks.

This is the man lift I made for forks.

View attachment 608451

WOW!!!!!
Way out of my price range but super nice.

 

[Fuddy1952]

You can rent a trailer mounted boom-lift pretty cheap. I like them so much that I bought one. 15' is not that high. Can you mount a standard 3pt boom pole to the loader bucket to get the fan up there and then configure the fan from a ladder ?

Lots of ways to do it, I don't like working off of ladders much over about 8ft at my age.

 

[Fuddy1952]

You can rent a trailer mounted boom-lift pretty cheap. I like them so much that I bought one. 15' is not that high. Can you mount a standard 3pt boom pole to the loader bucket to get the fan up there and then configure the fan from a ladder ?

Ok to ask about your boom lift, price, etc.?
I was thinking of that also.

 

[aczlan]

Ok to ask about your boom lift, price, etc.?
I was thinking of that also.

Around here, you can rent a 35' towed boom lift for $160ish per day. Much safer than a tractor contraption.

Aaron Z

 

[3Ts]

I'd go for the scaffolding. You can put it on wheels and 15' is not that high for scaffolding. You can use the tractor to lift materials onto the scaffolding.

 

[zzvyb6]

JLG T350. Had been a Home Depot rental. A fellow bought it for putting up siding and then was moving south. I had to get a judge assign me ownership so I could get a legal title (and a license plate). $7,000.

I use it to put up windmill towers, service them, paint the barn, trim trees, Christmas lights, hang large signs on my buildings for decorations. I made up a jib crane to plug into the boom mast instead of the basket. (Its a factory option). Mine is electric (batteries), has self leveling feature, and will not let you go where it might get tippy.

When he mentioned "cupola" I remember hoisting a heavy cupola up to the garage peak with it. The only other way I could have gotten it up there was to build it at the peak. Max load capacity 500 lbs (includes operator if they are in the basket. However, it also depends on the reach. The load cells know the footpad forces. when one or more get too light for comfort, it stops you. Includes battery charger. And, I have never run out of battery reserve. Auxillary lines for 120b, air and power washing wand up in the bucket. Can be equipped with a small generator, too.

 

[Renze]

Made one a few years ago. Sold it last winter because i dont burn wood in the shop heater anymore.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/302167-work-platform-truss-boom.html

 

[Fuddy1952]

Titan has this for $283. I have pallet forks for bucket. I think that on forks strapped securely to bucket would be safe?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I found this lying in the scrap at a friends place. It came off a snowmobile trail groomer. I welded fork pockets onto it. Between the added height and using a pole saw, you can get up quite high to trim trees. Good for X-Mas lights too. Biggest drawback is you need two people and one that can run the machine smoothly.

 

[jeff9366]

My garage stored tractor is six years old.

In the last 18 months two Loader hydraulic lines have blown out, dropping the bucket to the ground instantly.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Instantly? I want to buy a 4x4 Diesel Genie Lift. Curious if they have any safeguard against hose failure.

 

[4570Man]

Instantly? I want to buy a 4x4 Diesel Genie Lift. Curious if they have any safeguard against hose failure.

Real man lifts and cranes do. They have a box on the cylinder that won’t let fluid out without pressure on the other side.