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Post by Foggy on Jun 27, 2017 16:30:01 GMT -6
Today I made a new high fork lift to fit my loader. I used a plate which I bought to attach to my loader.....then added some removable tubing so I can use the plate for additional things (gin pole, shrub bucket, front mounted landscape rake). Here are a couple pics from the build. I have limited power tools and a welder.  The forks can go as low as about five feet.....I welded some tabs onto the forks and the plate so I can quickly add the shown 2x4s with some wood screws. I can remove them to get the forks into the bracing on the stand.....then replace them to stabilize and strengthen the 5 foot long "forks".  The forks can lift to nearly 14 feet high.  |
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Post by Foggy on Jun 27, 2017 16:35:04 GMT -6
So with my build complete I had to give it a try. I moved one of my blinds about 1/4 mile down my trails and into a new spot that looks down a long bean plot. Should be an ideal location for this stand. Here it is at the old location where I had logged off my pines.  My land is quite flat but I had to negotiate a few low spots and angles. I kinda wish I had put a strap on it.....but I didnt have any incidents.  photo upload internetI had a site picked out that I am really happy with. I do need to cut some limbs and level the stand.....but this is going to be a good location.  i want to upload my photo |
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Post by Foggy on Jun 27, 2017 16:39:36 GMT -6
I got a few more blinds to move. It will be easier to do this when my Son-in-law comes this weekend. I get tired crawling up and down the ladders. Grin.
I had most of the steel from an old canoe rack I had build years ago for a moose hunt. SO.....this project only cost me about $30 for some steel tubes and a little welding rod. I had already bought that plate.....which cost $260. The plate is proving to be quite useful and I hope to use it for several projects like this.
Money well spent......and I like that I can do this without renting a construction fork lift or other stuff. I would recommend if you have fairly level ground and good trails to move it about. Not for everyone.
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Post by Foggy on Jun 27, 2017 16:46:28 GMT -6
So....when I was at the welding shop to buy some tubing this morning......I saw a 1/2" thick x 14" circle of A500 steel "gong" for sale. $62 DOLLARS LATER......it was mine. I was on a roll.....so I hung my gong at 100 yards......and shot it 30 times with my AR before going home. NICE!  |
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Post by Tooln on Jun 27, 2017 19:51:15 GMT -6
Nice.
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Post by Freeborn on Jun 27, 2017 20:18:34 GMT -6
Great work Foggy. Nice that you can move blinds around and find the best spot.
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Post by mnfish on Jun 27, 2017 22:28:14 GMT -6
Sweeeet!
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Post by Foggy on Jun 28, 2017 10:33:23 GMT -6
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Post by kabic on Jun 28, 2017 10:53:12 GMT -6
Did you say that Titan attachment plate worked straight out of the box, or did you have to fix something on it?
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Post by jbird on Jun 28, 2017 11:12:04 GMT -6
Damn foggy you got bigger stones than I do. I would guess your tractor and mine are similar in size with your being bigger by a hair. No way I would feel comfortable moving a blind like that with shifting that center of gravity that high. Getting down off a platform is one thing - trucking it around is another. But hey - whatever works for you.
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Post by Foggy on Jun 28, 2017 11:15:12 GMT -6
Did you say that Titan attachment plate worked straight out of the box, or did you have to fix something on it? I remember your warning. AND.....the "top link connector" bracket holes were punched at 1" rather than drilled. Punching makes the holes come out undersized......and their bushings will not fit. Grrrrrr They provided 3 bushings and the sizes are a bit strange. Not really to category 1 or 2 standards. (I think they mis-matched the bushings......but I can make that part work.) I tried to pound one of the bushings in so it would fit my top link more properly......but it only served to reduce the bushing size. I do not have a 1" drill bit or a reamer.......so the top link is quite loose right now - without the bushing installed. Everything else worked pretty well and it fit right onto my loader. I am going to call Titan and see if they will provide me with a DRILLED top link. I really don't know how to enlarge a portion of that hole by about .050", unless I get real aggressive with a rat-tail file. I don't want to do that.....as that steel top link is hardened steel. Grrrrrrrrr. I suppose for my limited needs it will work "as-is"......but I would like to fix it or it will elongate the holes in my rake with enough time. Yep.....most of this chineeze stuff is like that. Sometimes enough to piss you off. Your point is well taken.  |
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Post by Foggy on Jun 28, 2017 12:10:50 GMT -6
Damn foggy you got bigger stones than I do. I would guess your tractor and mine are similar in size with your being bigger by a hair. No way I would feel comfortable moving a blind like that with shifting that center of gravity that high. Getting down off a platform is one thing - trucking it around is another. But hey - whatever works for you. Yep....its pretty high and lots of leverage up there. The key is to not raise the legs very high above the ground and to drive slowly so as to not make any sudden moves to make big swings in the weight. Keep one hand on the loader's joystick....and be ready to set her down. Once or twice along the route..... I considered where I would duck to....if that blind were to topple in my direction. Still there is allot of weight that hangs below the forks.....and that serves to act like a balance pole for a tight rope walker. LMAO at that analogy. |
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