piggyback forklift

[duckslayingpro]

I was just wondering if any of yons used or used a piggy back all terrain lift to load logs. Just wanting to know the pros or cons of these. Ive found one cheap if they work anygood. Never been around one so dont knkw much about them. Supposed to have a 5000 lb lift capacity. Would be used to sort on the deck and load a small trailer with blockwood or firewood logs. My trucker has a self loader so it wont be loading a truck. Mainly need it for sorting. Thanks for any info.

[thecfarm]

You mean a 3 wheel one? I think one member has one.I forgot who is it.

[duckslayingpro]

Yes a three wheel one. I forgot to add this wouldonly be used mainly one day a week sometimes two days.

[Ohio_Bill]

Tom the sawyer   has one .https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,63085.msg935592.html#msg935592


If I did this right this should be a link to his post about it .

[sshier]

We used a spyder three wheeler for quite a while two three years used it to sort, skid logs, and load dump trailers worked very well never found a log it wouldent lift. Only thing was you had to have chains on the tires to move in any mud or snow and it would skid a suprisingly large load we did alot of cord with it before getting a loader/slasher and skidder. Good luck

[sshier]

They can be alittle squrily mine was on its nose and sides a few times but amazingly manuverable sorry just had to add that

[Tom the Sawyer]

duckslayingpro,

I have a piggyback forklift, a '93 Princeton Teledyne D5000.  It can lift 5000 lbs, although anything more than 3000 really uses a slightly more complicated procedure (raise load above front wheels and retract carriage before moving - then reverse, etc.).  It works very well for my uses, unloading logs from trailers, sorting and moving logs to the mill.  It's big advantage is that it can lift more than it weighs (5000 vs 4700 lbs), it moves very well on soft, uneven terrain like construction sites, and it will turn on a dime (three wheel drive). 


 

There are some limitations you should consider before using it on a landing.  It has limitations related to being a forklift.  The reach is limited to the length of your forks. Unlike most FELs, you can't reach over an object to pick something up.  My forks are 42" long.  If I have to lift a log over a railing or fender, I use a set of tongs and a chain to get it off the trailer, set it on the ground and then pick it up with the forks.

Since the maximum width of the forks is about 40" you have to be pretty accurate when positioning yourself for longer logs.  For 8' or 10' logs, its no problem but if you are moving 12' or longer you'll be lifting logs that tip to the side, setting them down, backing up, moving to the side and trying again. 

If you are planning to sort and stack a hundred logs a day it won't be very efficient.  For someone who moves enough logs to mill 1500-2000 bf a day it works fine.

The mast tilts forward and backward about 15°, a FEL or skid steer probably tilts forward at least 90° and 45° backward.  In real world conditions, that means that if you are on moderately sloping ground you need to back down to keep the logs from rolling off the forks - not always easy or efficient to do.  You can, of course, throw a chain or hook around the log but that is a trip out of the seat to do that, plus another to unhook.  Due to the limited forward tilt, those logs that aren't close to round won't roll off the forks and you'll have to get off and give them a push.

If you need to move logs, occasionally a really big one, on gently sloping ground, and move loads of lumber, load/unload a kiln, or move palleted materials, then a piggyback might work well for you.   

[nas]

I also have one.  A Moffat, and I agree with Tom the Sawyer.  They are better for moving lumber and pallet material than for logs.  I use my tractor loader for most logs and will only use the moffat if it is to heavy for the tractor(2200lb or so)

Nick

[sshier]

 

 

Think i posted pick of spyder when you get used to the controls and function of the machine you can be fairly productive i was doing 20 cord in a day cut shid buck and sort its a ok start sometimes i wish i was back there running a couple days a week hope the pic comes through

[redprospector]

Wow! It's been about 30 years since I've ran a Spider, hauling sod.
Best advice I can give is to wear your seatbelt, you're going to need it.  :D
I can see where they'd be useful, but the learning curve is very unforgiving.
My only experience was on a Spider. Some of the heavier looking brands look to be more stable.