Remote control forklift mast ?

[Smokeydog]

I use on the the most expensive option. Reliable but finicky sometimes. Treated right will give a lifetime of loyal service. Be sure you shop around and find a good one. Wife.

 

[scootr]

I use on the the most expensive option. Reliable but finicky sometimes. Treated right will give a lifetime of loyal service. Be sure you shop around and find a good one. Wife.

lol. I went that route but apparently I choose poorly

 

[mikester]

That is what I was thinking - obviously there will be many unmanned flights before the monkey is sent up
I figure this will be done at idle and speeds should be slow with just a minimum of lever action. And my finger would be on the ready button.

 

[Renze]

I've used a long stick in the past. Two ropes would also work and make it more flexible.

Although, if you want something more "civilized", you could use some sort of actuator and a remote control like those used with winches.

My brother once buried a finger he found on the construction lift, the day after a worker got badly hurt by operating the goods lift with a batten. The finger being left sticking at 2nd floor height, was cold, so, dead, so he decided to bury it instead of returning it to its owner in hospital...

Just be damn sure its safe what youre doing... just saying...

 

[scootr]

I got a small linear actuator and remote control on Amazon. The actuator has 2' travel (this is minimal. 3" would have been better.) The unit exerts 13.5 pounds of force. This is good force. I bench tested with a 12v battery. The remote has an auto stop mode with a forward and reverse button right next to each other. Handy. The lever I want to operate has a big neutral or off zone. So I clamped a piece L metal to the front ROPs and clamped and wired the actuator into position when the arm was in mid-stroke and the lever in the neutral position.
After a little fooling around I turned the machine on and the actuator did crack the valve and slowly raise and lower the lift.

 

[harrydarwen]

if you want something more "civilized", you could use some sort of actuator and a remote control like those used with winches.

Nox Vidmate VLC​

 

[scootr]

if you want something more "civilized", you could use some sort of actuator and a remote control like those used with winches.

Can you post a link to the actuator you are recommending? I had this unit on and working but it is at the limits of its travel.

 

[Xfaxman]

Most of were I need to go is 8-10 ft.

I can use my rolling ladder for that:

 

[Vigo327]

I presume that you would require fine movement control from the remote same as manually feathering the levers. To do that function electrically requires using proportional valve(s). If no fine movement is required then standard on- off solenoids would suffice.

So, i think this is less true on forklifts than tractors, but if the engine is at idle the lift might be so slow that you don't have to be as careful with it. I know on my tractors that is true. I only briefly owned one forklift and never drove them for work so i don't have a lot of experience there but i think they typically still lift reasonably quick even at idle. If that's the case, yeah need to be more careful. Remotely operating the levers with servo/actuator is simplest in terms of not messing with the hydraulics, but if one did use an electric directional control valve paralleled in you could simply run a restrictor inline with it and dial it in that way.

 

[scootr]

This particular unit is quite slow to lift at idle

 

[Vigo327]

If it's slow at idle I wouldn't worry about 'overdoing it' with the controls.. just leave it at idle! Might simplify things a little.

 

[scootr]

If it's slow at idle I wouldn't worry about 'overdoing it' with the controls.. just leave it at idle! Might simplify things a little.

Right. Exactly what I was thinking. I got it work but yet to put the basket on it and get in. I'll be doing that out doors with a long rope on board. lol

 

[scootr]

I need this to be quick attach/detachable. I ordered a larger actuator (4" stroke) and I will construct some different attachment.

 

[scootr]

Completed 2nd attempt at this today... Didn't take long. Basically I got a bigger actuator. 4" instead of 2. In hindsight 3" may have been ideal but this will work. I have to be able to easily put this on and off.
I used the same remote control. So far tests are good.
Here are some pics

 

[jwmorris]

I needed to install a ventilator fan 14 ft off the ground into the back of one of our buildings. It wasn’t incredibly heavy but I just didn’t want to do it on a ladder. I didn’t have any help but for some reason just had to get it done.

I just drilled a hole in the floor and put in an eye bolt. Ran one end of a rope through the eye bolt and used a hose clamp to secure both ends to the “lift” lever.

Neither are in the way, so I never bothered taking them off.

I also had a neat battery shut off a friend gave me (used on an import car during shipping) up there with me so I could shut off the forklift while I worked.

 

[scootr]

Hi JW - I thought about that but I didn't want a rope. I'd prolly drop it or worse get it stuck in the boom - but it looks like your rope rig worked good. Like you said - sometimes you gotta get er done.