If I were in need, I would buy that platform in a heartbeat.

 

I agree- spend the bucks. That's somebody's life up in the air, maybe yours. Don't forget the tether.

And yes, I've been up on far less safe platforms and didn't fall off- yet.

Treefarmer

 

Find a IBC Tote on FB Marketplace or Craigslist, they are usually $50-$75 or so. Take the plastic tank out and you have a great "basket" with built in fork slots. Be sure to strap it to the fork frame some it can't slide off.

 

Find a IBC Tote on FB Marketplace or Craigslist, they are usually $50-$75 or so. Take the plastic tank out and you have a great "basket" with built in fork slots. Be sure to strap it to the fork frame some it can't slide off.

Just don't post that you did that. The Internet Safety Police will come after you.

But this is light years ahead of what most folks do when they need a man-lift and use their tractor and loader. It's a great option. Just make sure to strap it like mentioned.

 

This week I used an IBC tote. It worked GREAT and was really easy to do.

I removed the bars on the top, flipped it over and used the forks to lift the cage from the plastic tank. Flipped it top-side-up, and attached a scrap piece of plywood to have a level floor. Not wanting to weaken the side by cutting an entry, and I used a small step ladder inside the tote and one outside to climb into the tote. Used a 2" ratchet strap to tie the tote to the forks.

I feel WAY safer in the "tote cage" than standing in a bucket.

 

Why not just get yourself a good quality pole saw? I bought a Husqvarna attachment for my trimmer this Spring that is an absolutely amazing tool and I can reach much higher than even a full sized loader could lift me up to get. I know there are some very good rechargeable versions as well for short money, unless you have other tasks you need a platform for, anyway.

I like using one of those bulk liquid pallets on the cheap for a platform, if that's your plan. Ratchet strap it to the fork carriage in a way that it can't come loose! I know that's been said, but it's important. 😂😂

 

Why not just get yourself a good quality pole saw? I bought a Husqvarna attachment for my trimmer this Spring that is an absolutely amazing tool and I can reach much higher than even a full sized loader could lift me up to get. I know there are some very good rechargeable versions as well for short money, unless you have other tasks you need a platform for, anyway.

I like using one of those bulk liquid pallets on the cheap for a platform, if that's your plan. Ratchet strap it to the fork carriage in a way that it can't come loose! I know that's been said, but it's important. 😂😂

I have a Stihl HT-131 pole saw and it works great. However, even as fully extended the shaft length is only 11.5 feet. Adding the length of the chain bar gets you to 12 feet, and if operating from a waist-high position you can saw something 15 feet above ground. But I have large Ponderosa pine trees with branches beginning 20 feet above ground, and that curve down toward the ground. The pole saw isn't long enough to reach the point at which they come off the trunk of the tree so a pallet fork based lift is appealing.

 

Those things are dangerous on a standard forklift. I can't imagine them on a tractor.

 

I welded up a basket and put the jd loader hooks on it. Mostly used for moving firewood but also doubles as a man lift. I like that it’s separate from the forks.


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Hmmm, I wonder how much ballast I would need for me to be up in there. I have put on some weight during the quarantine. 😁

 

Get an overweight driver to drive you around while you're in the bucket.

 

A friend of mine build one to use a platform and it works great. Some might feel it might not be safe, but maybe it is not. A lot of things we do around the house could fit into this thought as well. Just be careful and make sure the tractor operator knows what up, down and tilt means. I am going to build me one.

 

I had considered using my loader as a man lift a long time ago but the problem was we were a man short . There is no way I could ever get wifey in the tractor seat (or the ZTR for that matter) and even if she was willing to give it a try - uh, no. No way.

Somebody mentioned using a pole saw which is a great idea, I had a battery powered one that was inexpensive but frustrating to use due to poor design and poor build quality. Then I bought my 45' articulated boom lift at auction (4x4) and problem solved for reaching the higher limbs. Also I use a short Stihl gas pole saw in the man basket - I can really reach in with that setup. By the way, I'm really pleased with the Stihl pole saw, starts on the first pull.

If there's quite a bit of trimming involved, consider renting for a day or two a man lift, much safer way to work in the air.

 

I spent plenty of hours in that platform on a tractor and felt fine. We are going to build a metal cage to use on both lifts we have now.

 

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Thanks a heap MDrew...I'm now feeling absolutely inadequate and unworthy of your presence.

ROFLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

True, these things will not win any awards for safety...but we each get to set our boundaries,

My wife runs the tractor. She is not experienced with the loader. She DOES appreciate that great care needs to be taken. I motion which direction to move the joystick, she confirms what she believes I asked her to do, and I confirm her acknowledgement BEFORE she SLOWLY moves the joy stick. So far, so good.

We have been doing maintenance on the side walls of our RV (The RV is 13'-4" high.) I feel safer at these heights, hands free, than I'd ever feel on a ladder.

 

99.9% of the time it is just me so I can't be in two (2) places at once (on the tractor and on the platform). So I invested in a used Genie Diesel powered 4WD manlift.

The person on the tractor better know how to operate the joystick. What happens if the person accidently moves into the float position? I would not want to be responsible for operating the joystick nor in the loader platform.

johncanfield - LIKE X2!

 

A pole saw is a good idea. Only thing is, I have one, and I plan on using it from said basket hehe.

 

I use our pole saw and chainsaw with ours a lot.
Add a chipper and you're golden..

 

I''ve been using our home made unit for many, many years. I would NOT use wood on any part of the cage.

 

I've been using a tote for awhile, I put my carry all on the back of the tractor, generator on it, got a tool board that has my loopers on it electric pole saw works fine you have to trust you wife so do it on a good day.

 

I've been using a tote for awhile...you have to trust you wife so do it on a good day.

Excellent point!

We have been using our JD 110 TLB and are currently in the middle of ordering a 4066R. It will have a mechanical self leveling loader!

 

That is my basket. Ignore the Halloween stuff [emoji23]. No forks needed. It has wheels so I can set it on the deck and push it next to the door with firewood. Works great for moving all sorts of junk.

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All I know is your tractor operator had better really like and need you or it's their perfect opportunity to "curl" the forks and you could go SPLAT........

Plus they need to be someone with lots of experience....I wouldn't put a "first timer or someone I needed to explain the operations to at the controls.

When you have weight on the FEL and the higher you have it, the more sensitive it is to quick movements with SCV controls. It will move more abruptly with 200 pounds in the metal cage than it will with the empty cage.

Be careful and maybe "rehearse" with some weight in the cage other than you so the operator can get a good feel for it.

Be safe and good luck.....

 

All I know is your tractor operator had better really like and need you or it's their perfect opportunity to "curl" the forks and you could go SPLAT........

I recommend anyone using an attachment like this to have the person in the basic wear some type of tethered safety harness. Something like what a roofer wears is inexpensive and will help keep you from falling.

 

^^ my fear exactly described ^^

 

You guys got to trust you partner, no different than when I worked with 1000's of volts power line you trust your partner, like the army you got my back and I got yours👍👍

 

You guys got to trust you partner, no different than when I worked with 1000's of volts power line you trust your partner, like the army you got my back and I got yours

My wife has been running me in ours for YEARS.

 

Carryall strapped to pallet forks. I couldn’t find an IBC tote locally. I’m always an operator short. I think an MSL loader might lower the required skill level.

 

Years ago I made a cage for my skidsteer forks. I made it 6' tall with the deck 3' off the ground to give me an extra 3' of lift. At the time I had a good operator who worked for me so there was never any excitement. I did put a couple chains on the frame to tie it to the pallet fork frame and that was important a few times. A very handy implement. I was able to reach the top of light poles to change fixtures, bulbs, cameras, etc.

Since that implement went with the business when I sold it I now use a pallet or the bucket. I don't think I have ever seen a Husqvarna ad with someone standing in a tractor bucket using a chainsaw overhead to trim branches. Maybe they never thought of it. They say as you get older it is important to work on your balance or you will find it quickly starts to fade. Tree trimming from a tractor bucket keeps you focused so I think of it as training. It also let's me know if the wife is ready to be rid of me.

 

I built one using the metal crate that my roto tiller came in.

 

When I was a kid we would just get in the tractor bucket. Very dangerous and looking back shame on my dad. As I got older we had a basket with forks and as others have mentioned, strap that sucker down tight. Also, set the forks wide. It can get tippy if they are set to narrow. Now we have what I think is the best option, a man lift. Pretty expensive but boy is it nice and MUCH safer.

 

I like the cage built from the water tank frame. My son and I have worked together for quite a few years out of the tractor bucket using a safety harness designed for a hunting tree stand.
I had a lot of experience along with my son when we both belonged to our town's volunteer fire department working out of the bucket of the department's 100' platform aerial fire truck.
The only time I got a little concerned was the night we went to a restaurant fire 20 miles from home on the riverside. It was just above zero and the wind was strong. We were about 80' in the air and the mist was blowing back and freezing to our turnout gear. When we turned the deluge nozzle on with 150# of water pressure the bucket would sway back about 20' like a high powered rifle recoiling then it would sway back some. The whole crew took 15 minute shifts in the bucket. When we came down we had a crew using axe handles to crack the ice on our gear so we could walk. Luckily a couple restaurants opened up and provided us with hot chocolate and coffee and a place to warm up before it was our turn to go back up in the bucket.
A memorable evening to say the least. I guess going a few feet off the ground in a bucket to trim a few branches doesn't offer much challenge for us. We prefer to do it on sunny days though.
Lynn

 

I used an 8 ft platform, dual ratchet-strapped to the forks on my 4044M. I have used it many times for various jobs. I have no worry about the tractor tipping forward, unless I had something really heavy, but you do want a competent someone to be able to operate the joystick gently. Most of the time, it's my wife, believe it or not. [I will pause momentarily, so everyone can get the jokes out of their system.]
As many things done on or around the farm, do some research, know your equipment, ask some questions, talk it through, and go slow. You can never entirely eliminate risk. IMO, I would rather have a platform on a FEL, than use scaffolding or a series of ladders. Heck, even in some cases over a forklift, referring back to watching my uncle operate one loaded across a soft patch of stone driveway. Those small wheels sink!

 

As many things done on or around the farm, do some research, know your equipment, ask some questions, talk it through, and go slow. You can never entirely eliminate risk. IMO, I would rather have a platform on a FEL, than use scaffolding or a series of ladders. Heck, even in some cases over a forklift, referring back to watching my uncle operate one loaded across a soft patch of stone driveway. Those small wheels sink!

That's because those small wheels are only intended to be used on a hard smooth warehouse floor. For rough terrain forklifts have much larger tires.