NEW FORK LIFT IDEA?????

Hello guys on ATLTF!!! ive got another bad ass idea!!! do you ever need to move something really heavy, or lift something really heavy or even just hold something up???? well heres another smart idea of mine!!!! its called the Craftsman GT6000 Fork Lift!!! you can make your arm (the one connected to the tractor) as long as you want it and put longer arms (the 4 that go from the support on the tractor to the back support) to make it lift even higher!!! right now in my drawing my guess is that it could lift to maybe 4-41/2 feet high! high enough to get stuff in and out of the truck!!! or even into the back of my gator!!!! the only thing to remember is that its going to extend out from the tractor while it goes up as the lift arms move!!! (not just up and down).... but just remember if what you lifting is close to an object to lift it and back up at the same time!![img][/img]

Awww, CRAP! I don't have a Craftsman GT6000. Damn.

Kidding. Neat idea... Now build it!

Now- mount the winch LOW, and put a pulley on TOP of the frame. Make a way to either pin the forks up, or have them easily remove. This way, the winch is still useable for winching. Then you can loop the cable over the top pulley for forklift duty.

*Or alternatively, keep the winch high, and put your pulley down low. For winching duty, run the cable DOWN, around the pulley, and out to your tree or whatever you're winching on.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Now- mount the winch LOW, and put a pulley on TOP of the frame. Make a way to either pin the forks up, or have them easily remove. This way, the winch is still useable for winching. Then you can loop the cable over the top pulley for forklift duty.

*Or alternatively, keep the winch high, and put your pulley down low. For winching duty, run the cable DOWN, around the pulley, and out to your tree or whatever you're winching on.

I might put a pulley I bolt on the front of the tractor frame so hook a snatch block to then run the cable straight out the front to whatever is available to hook to.... what size steel should i use?

Your Idea is sound, but missing a lot of key elements. Mower rear ends are light, therefor a counter weight would be needed. The best place to mount such a device would be the rear, where you have the weight of the motor countering lift weight and the bigger tires holding the load.

I also see no side to side bracing. As soon as you try to move a load, the load tries to stay in place (inertia) and will torque the forks and masts side to side on a turn.

This is a workable idea, but one that still has some engineering to go.

Also, you could easily overload the front axle/tires/spindles. Steering would be hard as heck with a load on.

But it could be done, just your lift capacity wouldn't be much.

Stretch44875 wrote:

Also, you could easily overload the front axle/tires/spindles.  Steering would be hard as heck with a load on.

But it could be done, just your lift capacity wouldn't be much.

how about this instead???[img][/img]

you could use a plow pump and hook that up instead of a winch

Sure looks like a Case 584D got tons at work

Throw a suitcase weight rack in front of the steering axle add a way to tilt the forks a bit and your golden

no need really to turn the seat around... just back up into the load, lift, and drive away. Most times on a fork lift you are driving backwards anyway

I think it is a good idea, but I think a serious look at actual weight capacity would be in order. If it will do a couple hundred pounds, it would be handy. I don't think a 1000 pounds is going to be realistic on a GT chassis.

Well, its just an idea for people to use when they get sick of seeing that old JD or GT sitting in their yard!! i personally dont have a GT, welder, or the metal and money to do this! it just popped into my head when i was down at my scrap pit! more than likely it would have to be some pretty damn strong metal!!! and that alone would weigh alot!