Hyster Forklift with blown Contential Engine

[Ga_Boy]

I got a lead on a used Hyster Forklift with a Contentinal gas engine.  The engine has a broken crank shaft; the owner has a new shaft; the owner runs a local hardware/lumber/equipment rental shop.

My questions:

Is there anything bad about the contential engine?

Where can a ballpark price for this thing in its current condition?

If I buy it should I keep the gas engine or replcae it with a desiel?

Thanks for any ideas.



Mark

[DanG]

Mark, you can put just about any kind of engine in an old Forklift.  My old Hootiemobile, actually a surplus Allis-Chalmers, has had several types in it's day.  Right now, it has a Buick V6, and I know it had a 6.2 Chevy diesel at one time.  If that Hyster is what you need, and the price is right, I wouldn't let the engine scare me off.

[oakiemac]

If you are going to be operating off pavement then make sure that forklift will be able to get around. I bought a Hyster lift and drove it around the guys yard with no problem but once I got it to the mill it instantly became stuck in the softer ground and I had to take it back. A rough terrain or all terrain type lift is much bette for saw mills unless you have a lot of hard ground or pavement.
I know this didn't answer you questions but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in ;D

[Gary_C]

I have an older Hyster 8000 lb forklift with a Continental engine. I have had problems keeping it running on this new gasoline. The carburator was always dumping too much gas in that downdraft manifold and then the plugs had to be replaced. I just completed a conversion to LP and it now runs great. Part of the problem, as I just discovered, was the engine was out of time and the distributor was siezed in that hole in the top of the head. A new electronic distributor and new coil was almost $300 and the LP conversion was over $400. If you plan on sticking with that gas engine, expect to convert to LP.

I have the wide hard rubber tires and they also come with dual drive tires. Neither is good on anything but hard and dry surfaces or good hard packed gravel. Any other surface and they will go down and you better have something good sized to drag them out as they have practically no clearance underneath. Actually those small steering tires under that counterweight will get you into trouble first, especially with no load on the forks.

[Ironwood]

I was at an auction yesterday, 8000# hyster went for $3500. 6 cyl. Cont. nice mach design. It needed rings but was running, it will probably do yard service around there scrap yard. 10' mast. I know the guy and I used it to load 2500# of cut stone I bought, I like the mast raise and lower/ tilt  mechanism. this one was propane and was visually rough but I liked it.  Everyone seems to like the hysters. REID

[Ga_Boy]

This one has the rough terrain tires, it's two wheel drive.  I'll try to get back over to the lumber yard and take pictures tomorrow.

I did notice that this on does not have any counter-weights in the sterring axel; is this a big problem finding trying to find replacement weights?

Thanks for the info,



Mark

[Fla._Deadheader]

I believe that the Hootiemobile has Dozer and tank armor stacked over the steering axle.  ;D :D :D :D :D

[DanG]

Now Harold, there ain't no tank armor on there.  It's just a 14" cube of cast iron, six 4/4x8x16" chunks of blade edge, and 2 D-9 flywheels.  Couldn't be more'n a couple of tons. ;D :D :D

[Ga_Boy]

DanG,

Now that'll get er done. 8) 8) 8) 8)



Mark

[Vermonter]

Which Hyster model is it?  My MF35 has a Continental 4 cyl, they're an excellent power plant.

[Ga_Boy]

Not sure of the model or specs.  I need to get back and take a closer look.

[Ga_Boy]

Vermonter,

This unit is a P60A, 6,000 pound lift. 

Now I gotta do some research on the Hyster P60A model.

Can you tell me anything about it?

I spoke to mechanic about this thing this moring, he gusses it will take abuot $1,500 to $2,000 to get back running again.

He said he will drop by one day this week to look at it for me.




Mark

[Ironwood]

Ga- boy,

   The scrap yard guy who bought the pneumatic tired one I spoke of has MANY old fork trucks in his yard. He may have a counter weight for you. How close are you to Greensburg, Pa? He sells the weights cheaply as it takes alot to properly process one for final disposal. I have purchased many parts from him for my old Towmotor, as well as electrical equipment, and machinery, iron stock and the like.

                                            REID

[Ga_Boy]

Ried,

Not sure how far away Greenburg is from me.

I am about 3 hours from Harrisburg.

I will look at my Atlas this afternoon too see where Greenburg is.



Mark

[Ironwood]

Ga boy,

  I am near Pittsburgh. Reid

[Ga_Boy]

I called the Hyster dealer yesterday.

A rebuilt gas engine is $3,000 a rebuilt Perkins diesel is $6,000.

It is looking like it will take at least $2,000 to get this one running again. 

It ain't looking so good for this old truck.



Mark

[Gary_C]

Yes, it may be too much for an old 6000 lb forklift and those rebuild jobs can end up costing twice as much when you find the other things that need fixing.  The deciding factors could tire condition, type and length of forks, side shift or not, lift height, etc.

Just in general, forklifts are not the best for small mills unless you have paved lots. They don't work well for log handling, they are always stuck if you go outside the shed, and you will need to band everything, especially stickered stacks of wood or they will not stay together when moving. The all terain lifts with the large tractor type tires are limited in lift capacity and can be wobbly when lifting heavy loads of lumber.  The idea machine would be a Integrated tool carrier but who can afford one of those?