I had an offer from one of my co-workers the other day. Seems he's got a forklift he wants to get rid of. It's a two ton capacity ancient thing, I don't know the brand. It's pretty cheap, I can afford it, and I have a place to put it. But should i get it? I can see the need for it eventually. I'm getting ready to open a shop, so it would be useful in building the shop, lifting material off trucks, pulling engines, pulling cabs, and that sort of stuff. But maybe I should just get it so i can say, yeah, well I've got my own forklift.

 

If I had the money and the space for one I would love to have one. Only thing is how well does it work?

 

If it is in serviceable condition It would make a nice addition to any shop.

 

I'm gonna check it out on Sunday and give my final decision, but he says it runs good, the hydraulics are good and will hold pressure overnight, plus the tires actually have tread on them.

 

Given your situation, I wouldn't think twice about it. When I worked at an parts store, we had a small fork lift and it was incredibly useful to have around. Especially considering most of our deliveries were via freight trucks. If you plan on doing rebuilt engine installs, then having a fork lift may be less of a toy and more of a necessity to unload said engine - often pallet mounted - off the delivery truck, which is often the buyer's responsibility and not the truck driver's. Other than refilling the propane tank once a year or so, we hardly did any service to it.

 

If I had such as wish for tool/toy, I'd look for a fair size old tractor with a front bucket. It could do the same thing a forklift can do and more.

 

Wake up man!


This ENTIRE site is about men and their toys!


Never pass up the opportunity to land a piece of heavy equipment on the cheap!

 

I once got a 6,000 lb forklift at an auction for $350. It didn't run; the coil wire had fallen off! I used it a bit, but it was too big, so I sold it for $1200. Go for it!

 

Was there an actual question here? I think he's just teasing us with this.

 

Sure there was. What I think he's doing is justification math. If you have enough good reasons. You can justify buying anything. I do it all the time!

Chris

 

after i built my shop i expressed my interest in owning a forklift. my wife didn't think that that was very funny so as of right now i don't have one. but should one come along for the right price i would own it...

 

THANKS, Chris.. .I needed a new definition for that. Another excuse. WOOHOO. ..LMAO.

 

A forklift is a valuable toy...... I mean tool ! Yes buy it !

 

very usefull. i just used one of the 6 at my job to pull a engine/tranny combo out of a dodge diplomat. i also used it to lift the car and to pull it inside and to pull the bed off of my 88 f150, so id say go for it. when/if you get it, check all the rubber propane lines if its propane.

 

We use our forks all day long, from unloading freight to installing tractor engines, wheel dollies for large loaders and tractors, you name it, we do it. I wish we had one at our personal shop.