Forklift Shopping? Any tips?

PBinWA

PBinWA

Member
I'm thinking of picking up a used forklift (under $5000), nothing urgent but I want to be ready if I see one that is a good deal in Craigslist.

The criteria:

-At least 5000lb lift but the bigger the better.

- Air tire, I should be able to drive it on lawn if needed. Maybe not fully loaded but to get it from point a-b. Ideally able to carry up to 2000 pounds across dry flat land. An all-terrain forklift would be really cool.

- Can sit outside un-sheltered and unused for a long time.

- Highest lift height possible.

I'm seeing lots of used one's locally for under $5000. Are there particular models that are better than others? Tips?
 
Seems like you are looking at something like a telehandler or an all terrain forklift.
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Telescopic_Telehandler_Skytrak_6036.jpg

I dont know if it matters, but you can get other attachments for telehandlers, and some can lift very high, think 3 or 4 floors up. I've used a JCB telehandler with a grapple on it. Nice machine, but I have no idea how it compares to other brands.
I'm not sure if they will fit in your budget, maybe a well used second hand one will?
 
PB,

I am more in line w/the agcrane that Paul suggests. I have seen homemade ones for cheap that you can drag with your tractor when needed. One was a old forklift mast on a truck axle that got dragged around with a tractor and worked off the tractor remotes, but a Pto axilary pump could work if you have a smaller tractor.

I have also seen one that was the back half of a truck frame that had a big piston hoist/gin pole thing.

What do you see moving?

To me $5000 is alot to have sit around only to not start/need work when you do need it
 
Mith said:
Seems like you are looking at something like a telehandler or an all terrain forklift.

I dont know if it matters, but you can get other attachments for telehandlers, and some can lift very high, think 3 or 4 floors up. I've used a JCB telehandler with a grapple on it. Nice machine, but I have no idea how it compares to other brands.
I'm not sure if they will fit in your budget, maybe a well used second hand one will?
Click to expand...

Telehandlers are really expensive and you don't see a lot of them around. An all terrain forklift would be ideal but they are rare too.

On ForumsForums two guys that have extensive Forklift experience have both recommended the mid-70's Clark IT40 as a good machine. I've attached a picture.

While I said $5000 was my limit it really was my upper limit. I'm hoping to find something for $2000-$3000. You really can't beat the functionality of one of these without buying a lot more tractor. I don't really need a bigger tractor. I do want the load/unload and lift capabilities and the price is right.
 

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PB,

THe homemade drag around truck axle units can work with little tractors, it is the axle that takes the weight, the tractor is just ballast, and the tounge gives you alot of leverage. What are you lifting again?

Even if the lift is free, if you dont need it for a year and then go to use it and the batteries are flat it is annoying. YOur tractor will hopefully always be up and running.
 
shinnlinger said:
PB,

THe homemade drag around truck axle units can work with little tractors, it is the axle that takes the weight, the tractor is just ballast, and the tounge gives you alot of leverage. What are you lifting again?

Even if the lift is free, if you dont need it for a year and then go to use it and the batteries are flat it is annoying. YOur tractor will hopefully always be up and running.
Click to expand...

Got a picture of one?
 
PB,

I dont have a picture, but it was a basically the front half of the clark you showed with a decent lenght tounge (THink boat trailer) to maximize the tractor weight and the PTO driving a pump at the mast iteslf. I suppose a lift with a bad motor would give you just about everything you need, maybe even keep the wheels on the back so it supports itself like a haywagon and remove the motor and have your pto drive the stock pump. Getting a hole through the rear counterweight would be the adventure on that one! Or I guess you could remount the pump on the outside of it.

I suppose some old decent sized 2 wheel drive tractor could be reversed and made into an offroad lift for the same work, but more $$$ and off course the everpresent risk of it not running when you need it.

WHat do you see lifting again?
 
shinnlinger said:
WHat do you see lifting again?
Click to expand...

It varies, tractor implements, pallets of bricks, my pole barn supplies. I don't "need" one. I still think if I can find an old Clark IT40 then I'd be happier.

I've seen three point mounted forklifts on craigslist but they are usually not much less than a forklift.
 
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