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I received my work platform/man lift a couple of days ago, completed a full inspection, then put it on my forks for testing. After the inspection I noticed that I did not receive a tool basket like Kenny, and like Kenny stated, the chains are too long. So on with the testing.
I thought I would use fertilizer bags for the test, and in fact did use them for the first test. It was after that test when my 70 year old wife decided she wanted to take a ride.
I lifted my wife of 47 years up to the roof, gently curling as needed and lifting slowly. All was well and it was time for her to come down, test completed. It was at the 6' point where I moved, hit the joystick, and tilted the basket forward. There wasn't much tilt, and there would have been no issues, IF THE SAFETY CHAIN HAD NOT BROKEN. There was very little slack, but regardless, the chain broke and the cage slid OFF of the forks. My wife was thrown forward with the cage making contact with the ground and sliding off on top of her. I jumped off the tractor, which was in park, rolled the cage and pulled her out. We were lucky. She has a left shoulder covered with road rash from the driveway, cuts and bruises on her arms, but no head or leg injuries,
I couldn't lock the joystick, and still don't know how I hit with my ass, but the result in this case could have been death and I'm still struggling with this.
My plan is as follows;
1. All chains will be replaced with commercial grade high strength chains and hooks.
2. The basket will now be strapped and tight to the fork frame.
3. Front entry chains will be replaced with steel tubing which will pin to the basket.
Please, get rid of the cheap chains that come with this product.
Thanks,
BL
I thought I would use fertilizer bags for the test, and in fact did use them for the first test. It was after that test when my 70 year old wife decided she wanted to take a ride.
I lifted my wife of 47 years up to the roof, gently curling as needed and lifting slowly. All was well and it was time for her to come down, test completed. It was at the 6' point where I moved, hit the joystick, and tilted the basket forward. There wasn't much tilt, and there would have been no issues, IF THE SAFETY CHAIN HAD NOT BROKEN. There was very little slack, but regardless, the chain broke and the cage slid OFF of the forks. My wife was thrown forward with the cage making contact with the ground and sliding off on top of her. I jumped off the tractor, which was in park, rolled the cage and pulled her out. We were lucky. She has a left shoulder covered with road rash from the driveway, cuts and bruises on her arms, but no head or leg injuries,
I couldn't lock the joystick, and still don't know how I hit with my ass, but the result in this case could have been death and I'm still struggling with this.
My plan is as follows;
1. All chains will be replaced with commercial grade high strength chains and hooks.
2. The basket will now be strapped and tight to the fork frame.
3. Front entry chains will be replaced with steel tubing which will pin to the basket.
Please, get rid of the cheap chains that come with this product.
Thanks,
BL