Forklifts.....school me

[Rob]

stock photo of bucket forks to illustrate the point I was trying to make (there are many different kinds of attachment styles).  You can see how it pushes the load 2 feet further out.

[Knocker of rocks]

8K is a tight budget.  I second the tractor approach as you won't have issues with traction, and you can operate 2 implements at once.  I would think something in the 40HP would give you close to 2K lifting power.  I have an LS MT235HE.  It is 35 HP and is Just shy of 1,700 at the pins.  Turns on a dime and works in tight places though.

A neighbor has a skid-steer with a blower on it that bailed me out a couple times before I got the tractor.  it had "summer tracks" on it and would get stuck on snow in a low spot.  never took more than a small nudge to get it going again, but those tracks would just spin if it stopped in the wrong spot.

But 8K is a budget # you are going to keep hitting up against...  2-3 times that will get you a nice machine.

I just unloaded a truck full of lumber onto the forks on a pallet last weekend.  I just dropped it in an out of the way place, and then when I am ready for it I will pick it up and move it to the job site.  Pretty handy!

I have hundreds to probably thousands of hours running a RT forklift. And now I have clamp on forks for my tractor. Running forks on a tractor is a thousand times harder than with a forklift. Visibility is zero at ground level, and the turning point is opposite that of a forklift. But if that’s what you have, then you use it.

Different tools for different applications.

[Rob]

visibility is indeed an issue on a tractor. 

[Jpmiller]

You might talk to the local bobcat or (insert brand here) and let them know what you’re looking for. They know who has what around and who’s trading and if you get the right guy might be able to point you to (or away) from someone. It’s kind of luck of the draw anymore on who you actually get to talk to you but at least some of the guys are still decent and willing to help you out. They also might be willing to let you know if they take an older machine in on trade, but as I understand they’re getting weird about reselling old stuff anymore.

[NOCK NOCK]

Great info....THANKS   Im learning lots

[Rob]

If one of the primary purposes
 is moving logs onto your sawmill, it might be better to look at a grapple vs forks.

Take a look at some of the posts on this thread, it might give you ideas.  There is a wealth of knowledge on Tractorbynet.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/tractors-and-wood-show-your-pics.303328/

[Jpmiller]

If one of the primary purposes
 is moving logs onto your sawmill, it might be better to look at a grapple vs forks.

Take a look at some of the posts on this thread, it might give you ideas.  There is a wealth of knowledge on Tractorbynet.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/threads/tractors-and-wood-show-your-pics.303328/

I’ve used grapples and forks loading a sawmill, grapples do make it easier to load but forks make unloading so much easier. Being able to stack cut lumber on sawhorses at waist height and then fork them to wherever instead of moving everything by hand over and over is a game changer. There’s staging systems for logs if you’re nervous about loading with forks but you’ll figure it out if you start. Moving logs around the woods needs grapples all day, climbing and cutting and staging. Depending on how you’re getting your logs will doctorate some. Eventually you’ll end up with both I’m sure

[bearpaw]

More Ideas
There's a lift similar to what I bought on machinery trader. I use my lift in the yard and on my gravel driveway to unload units of lumber, pallets of feed, 2000# bags of grain, snowmobiles, etc. The wider tires get around much better than narrow hard rubber tires. You just need to avoid soft ground or deep pot holes, they can get stuck easy in those situations. I've even taken mine back into the forest behind my house but was very careful where I went. I did get stuck once back in the forest and used a piece of 3/4 plywood to get it back on top of ground and going again. If the area you will be operating your lift has softer soil a pair of ground pads might be convenient. Another option if you have room is a larger lift like used in a rural log/lumber yard, when my dad and his brothers had a small lumber sawmill they had a big lift they ran every day, it even got around in muddy spring conditions fairly well.

Ground Matt: https://www.myteeproducts.com/ground-protection-mats-black-8ft-l-diamond-plated-smooth-plate-tread-design.html

Used Fork Lift similar to what I have:
https://www.machinerytrader.com/listing/for-sale/231888049/caterpillar-v50b-pneumatic-tire-forklifts

Used lift not quite as big as my dad had in the log yard:
https://www.machinerytrader.com/listing/for-sale/234421273/1969-clark-it60-rough-terrain-forklifts

Be sure you get a lift that has good clearance, most of the hard rubber tired lifts are too low to the ground.

[wadu1]

You may want to check out https://murphyauction.com/ they are having equipment auctions this weekend.

[bearpaw]

You may want to check out https://murphyauction.com/ they are having equipment auctions this weekend.

all sorts of interesting stuff listed there

[Happy Gilmore]

Moving a square load close to a piece of equipment on level ground is one thing. Moving a 2k rolo that's got a lot of weight off center is another. Wheeled rigs are horrible. 8-10k telehandler would be minimum. Tracked skid steer 2nd minimum.

Some nice articulated ag tractors are made for Moving big bales but, your price point isn't friendly.

Maybe an old lumber yard big fork lift might fit the budget?

My 165 Ford TW 25 won't move around logs for crap. It's a big 4x4

[Special T]

Generally you can purchase a used forklift cheaper than other pieces of equipment. You could buy a nice one for 5k up until I needed to replace one. I drove to sw Oregon to pick one up under $5k  I would buy a 5-6k lb forklift lift cap.toyota, komatsu Nissan, and some hysters. Late 90s early 2000 hyster have the GM 4.3liter v6 so parts are cheap and available. Not much computer controlled stuff on late 90s forklifts. I have propane and gas. Propane works great when it's not cold and for short periods of time or enclosed areas. Gas is superior for lots of outdoor use. Pneumatic forklifts can be made more off-road capable.

[Special T]

https://wenatchee.craigslist.org/hvo/d/chelan-falls-8000-lb-forklift-with-side/7756393110.html

I contemplated buying this one but found the same make model as one of mine that wrapped out on me. Go look at it.

[NOCK NOCK]

Thinking this is what I’m going to end up with. Has dual front tires so should not sink in/get stuck as easily. Low hours and 4000# lift.

[wapitislayer]

I would look for a used moffett ! I have moved and loaded 20’ logs on and off flat bed trailers with ease ! They are 3 wheel drive and turn on a dime while driving on and off road!