Buying Advice Homeowner Forklift

Sid Post · Dec 30, 2024

Gale Hawkins said:
These kind of solutions are inherently dangerous without question. That photo was to show Max height but I would not want to move anything other than on concrete. Just enough to get clear of the truck bed then let it go back down to the foot or so off the ground.

I'm in a Massey 5711D and transport with the bucket loaded below the top of the hood for stability reasons. Otherwise, it is a good way to turn over a $100K tractor!

LouNY · Dec 30, 2024

Gale Hawkins said:
These kind of solutions are inherently dangerous without question. That photo was to show Max height but I would not want to move anything other than on concrete. Just enough to get clear of the truck bed then let it go back down to the foot or so off the ground.

I don't see the rear mounted forks as inherently dangerous, a load lifted on those is more stable then a similar load on loader pallet forks.
I made a 3 point mounted forklift for my tractors from an old forklift, it has worked good over the years.
one ton load

1200 pounds

I also have pallet forks for my ssqa loaders.

redmt · Dec 30, 2024

Buy chinese junk, you get chinese junk. Buy US products.

paulsharvey · Dec 30, 2024

redmt said:
Buy chinese junk, you get chinese junk. Buy US products.

Why? What specific US made forklift are you proposing? Sure, there are some questionable products made in China, but there are questionable products made in the US or any other place. The heavily used forklift market is often a good place, but just know that repairs are often more expensive than the machine, so you really don't want o blind bid at an auction.

My money has no citizenship, and I'm don't feel obligated to waste it just to buy American. I want the most bang for the buck, and if that's US made, so be it, if that's China, or Vietnam, or Japan, that's fine too.

Gale Hawkins · Dec 30, 2024

RayIN said:
Check out the specs for a Massey Ferguson 2500 forklift: Massey Ferguson 2500 Forklift: In-Depth Technical Specifications
Its height is 96"/7'. By tilting the mast back/forward as far as it will go it should go under a 7' header. Is your concrete floor poured to withstand the weight?

Then there is the auction websites if you're into auctions: Pardon Our Interruption

The upkeep on a 40 plus-year-old machine is getting very difficult to find someone with Hands-On experience and a source for parts new or used in my experience working with my old stuff.

panamaguy · Dec 30, 2024

WI-citizen said:
I'm looking to buy a cheap forklift for mostly homeowner use to unload trucks. It would only be used once a week and lift up to 3k pounds. Would I be better off with a used one or buy a new Chinese cheap one? I'd like to spend around $3,000. Any advice is much appreciated!

Solid tire units are indoors
Air filled tires outdoor machines. But if the ground is real hard you can get away with a solid tire. Air filled gives you more ground clearance. If need be take some short lag screws and stud the drive tires up. I did that on a old Yale i had and even on packed snow it worked 99% of the time

WI-citizen · Dec 30, 2024

panamaguy said:
Solid tire units are indoors
Air filled tires outdoor machines. But if the ground is real hard you can get away with a solid tire. Air filled gives you more ground clearance. If need be take some short lag screws and stud the drive tires up. I did that on a old Yale i had and even on packed snow it worked 99% of the time

Whatever I buy I plan to do something like that with the tires. Wisconsin is well known for having snow and ice.

etpm · Dec 30, 2024

I understand the desire to park the forklift in the garage. But I think the OP may end up looking a long time for what they want at the price they want. I know it's not ideal but I park my fork lift outside year round. The machine is about 60 years old and doesn't seem to care. It is an old US Army owned machine so the manuals are available online for free. If I really cared about rain falling on it I could get some metal siding and make a roof for it. The roof would travel with the lift so it would always be covered. It seems to me that the OP is putting constraints on what he wants that make it hard to find. Maybe the OP could even put up one of those fabric garages that is high enough for the lift height needed. Or just a 4 post unit with a shed roof. It would keep the majority of the rain and sun off and would be fairly cheap to build. Then it would be easy to make it tall enough for any forklift in the range the OP is looking for. Or the OP can keep looking, find the perfect machine for cheap quickly, and rub our noses in the great purchase.
Eric

bmaverick · Dec 30, 2024

WI-citizen said:
I'm looking to buy a cheap forklift for mostly homeowner use to unload trucks. It would only be used once a week and lift up to 3k pounds. Would I be better off with a used one or buy a new Chinese cheap one? I'd like to spend around $3,000. Any advice is much appreciated!

There are plenty of people who have converted Cub Cadets into forklifts.

Sid Post · Dec 30, 2024

bmaverick said:
There are plenty of people who have converted Cub Cadets into forklifts.

View attachment 2112989

I see those at collector and farm shows occasionally. While handy for a homeowner, they don't have the lift capacity for non-homeowner tasks generally.

WI-citizen · Dec 30, 2024

Sid Post said:
I see those at collector and farm shows occasionally. While handy for a homeowner, they don't have the lift capacity for non-homeowner tasks generally.

I have a neighbor that has one of these. Like any Scrub Cadet model, it doesn't seems to be very powerful.

Sid Post · Dec 30, 2024

WI-citizen said:
I have a neighbor that has one of these. Like any Scrub Cadet model, it doesn't seems to be very powerful.

The vast majority of them were made for light industrial applications. Simple things like plumbers lifting sections of PVC pipe and similar stuff to racks above shoulder height.

scootr · Dec 31, 2024

I bought a cheap Toyota initially. Wasn't sure I would use it enough to justify a bigger investment. Old Toyota is better quality than cheap new stuff (just my opinion).
Once I realized how much I would use a forklift I started searching for a newer better machine. I eventually settled on a little bigger CAT with a shorter mast that fit in the barn etc. I bought new air tires and put em on myself. Later we put brakes on it. Otherwise it just needed propane for the last 5 yrs. I admit it sits outdoors half the time but it hardly ever rains and never snows. I keep the seat covered.
The side shift and automatic are luxuries I enjoy using. Get one with the biggest tires you can afford. I think mine are 22" in front. It does okay within reason, no mud but a graveled hill is okay in reverse even when empty. I got it from a forklift dealer who delivered it. If you are thinking of hauling it, these things are heavy.
When find something you like search you tube for it so you can see it in action. The dealer I bought from sent me a video showing the machine going through its paces and put some 48" forks on it too. GL

WI-citizen · Dec 31, 2024

scootr said:
I bought a cheap Toyota initially. Wasn't sure I would use it enough to justify a bigger investment. Old Toyota is better quality than cheap new stuff (just my opinion).
Once I realized how much I would use a forklift I started searching for a newer better machine. I eventually settled on a little bigger CAT with a shorter mast that fit in the barn etc. I bought new air tires and put em on myself. Later we put brakes on it. Otherwise it just needed propane for the last 5 yrs. I admit it sits outdoors half the time but it hardly ever rains and never snows. I keep the seat covered.
The side shift and automatic are luxuries I enjoy using. Get one with the biggest tires you can afford. I think mine are 22" in front. It does okay within reason, no mud but a graveled hill is okay in reverse even when empty. I got it from a forklift dealer who delivered it. If you are thinking of hauling it, these things are heavy.
When find something you like search you tube for it so you can see it in action. The dealer I bought from sent me a video showing the machine going through its paces and put some 48" forks on it too. GL

This is exactly what I think will end up happening for me too. I'll buy something cheaper and then upgrade as I go. You don't know what you have until you own one and find out what all it can do.

Frxdy · Dec 31, 2024

I have a used Clark, 3,000 pound. I'll tell you....it doesn't matter how well the gravel is packed, it's really easy to spin a tire, and when it sinks in 1/16th of an inch, you are DONE. These suckers weigh in at 6,000 pounds & they will NOT drive themselves up the tiniest of gravel inclines. I've do go one gravel now & then.... but don't stop!

Sid Post · Dec 31, 2024

Frxdy said:
I have a used Clark, 3,000 pound. I'll tell you....it doesn't matter how well the gravel is packed, it's really easy to spin a tire, and when it sinks in 1/16th of an inch, you are DONE. These suckers weigh in at 6,000 pounds & they will NOT drive themselves up the tiniest of gravel inclines. I've do go one gravel now & then.... but don't stop!

Sounds like driving a rear wheel drive pickup in my pasture when it rains!

scootr · Dec 31, 2024

Frxdy said:
I have a used Clark, 3,000 pound. I'll tell you....it doesn't matter how well the gravel is packed, it's really easy to spin a tire, and when it sinks in 1/16th of an inch, you are DONE. These suckers weigh in at 6,000 pounds & they will NOT drive themselves up the tiniest of gravel inclines. I've do go one gravel now & then.... but don't stop!

You can drive in gravel. Crushed rock with sharp edges like 3/4" rock is better than rounded pea gravel.
Pneumatic tires with minimal air pressure are required. The right tires make a big difference.
Drive in reverse for uphill travel.
I do this with my machine constantly

bmaverick · Dec 31, 2024

WI-citizen said:
This is exactly what I think will end up happening for me too. I'll buy something cheaper and then upgrade as I go. You don't know what you have until you own one and find out what all it can do.

5,500-lbs capacity
https://www.amazon.com/Pallet-Jack-5500-Lb-Capacity-Truck/dp/B018ANY73O