Maybe something like an Ovis Front end Platform?

 

Jim,

Thanks for the link. I had not heard of this product.

 

I have built several. I'm a Journeyman Millwright certified in OSHA regulations. Understanding this is for home use and you don't need to follow OSHA standards. SAFETY first. One thing you want to keep in mind, railings should be permanately mounted and never removed , NEVER use a ladder in the safety cage, never stand on the rails. Be sure to secure the safety cage to the fork mast with a chain to prevent it from sliding off. I would never suggest anyone to work off a open platform, one wrong step and over the side you go , I realize your not very far off the ground but sometimes it doesn't make a difference you could break a leg, arm or even your back,
Do what you want. Just saying you should always think safely not what makes some thing easier and not safe

 

Looks handy but personally I would be too chicken to get on something like that. I have looked at various forklift man baskets. They have higher rails and can be secured to the forks. The only remaining problem is I am the only person I trust to operate the tractor while lifting me.

 

My neighbor uses one of these water tank casings. Not sure how safe it is but am planning to see if I can find one that will work for me. I believe in being safe cuz I'm a chicken when it comes to heights.

 

I new an electrician that fell off a ladder about 5 ft. He was a young guy too. He was in the hospital for several months. OSHA now requires anyone working more than 6 ft off the ground to be tied off. The reason is serious injury can occur even at lower hieghts. I violate all the time but I do it almost every day. Even I would never do what the guy in the photo is doing. Thats asking for trouble. The op question is a good one. There is also a rule about how much wider than the carrige you may go. It like 2-3 ft no more.

 

Nothing fancy, but this pallet box I built gets used for everything possible, including a work platform.

 

Carvel,

That is the basic design I had in mind as well. Anything you would add/Change if you were to build it again?




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Timmarks,

Coincidentally I am planning on another one soon and there are some things I might do different.

1. Build it out of pressure treated lumber and screw or bolt everything together, or possibly some lightweight steel tubing. This first one is an old pallet and scrap wood that is less than desirable. It has held up to two years work but is starting to come loose.
2. I'm thinking of making it 42" deep, this first one is 48" to match my forks but it is awkward when I want to grab those last pieces of fire wood.
3. I'll make a removable front rail so when I use it as a work platform I have a full rail around me.
4. I want to figure out a tie back strap of some kind to hold the platform against bleed down. This will likely only apply to the curl function but I do get nervous whenever someone is around the tractor in case they bump the controls. I don't let anyone lift me in the box, I raise it and then use a step ladder to get in.
5. I'll downsize the size of the lumber somehow to reduce the weight. This size when full of fire wood is at or over the limit of my H120 loader, (another reason to shorten the depth to 42").
6. I want to make a tool tray that hooks on the backside of the fork backstop.
7. I would like it higher for when used as a platform, but I like it shorter like this one for reaching into it when moving firewood. I'll probably make an extension to the top rail that pins on somehow.
8. I usually strap it to the fork backrest when I use it as a big dump box for cleaning up debris etc. I will figure out a quicker way to secure it than using a ratchet strap.
9. I also want to make it easier to strap in a barrel, we use it to water with and right now I usually strap the barrel in but for some reason I secure it to the backrest but if I want to leave the box behind I have to unstrap it, so some hooks or something for this purpose.
10. I need to make a clip in cover for the generator for when we use it for watering, I get nervous with the water and power set up that I use.

Here are a few other shots for reference:

 

I've used one of these before on a forklift (archery practice) Worked good.

Ropack Bulk Containers

You may be able to find them used on craigslist.

 

We have this and use it a quite a bit. Painting, tree trimming...

 

We have this and use it a quite a bit. Painting, tree trimming...

Gizmo,
Did you make this, or buy it somewhere?



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I have been thinking of a work platform also, not necessarily as a lift for me but a portable workbench when working outside. It would make a good platform to attach my miter saw, vice etc. when needed.


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I have been thinking of a work platform also, not necessarily as a lift for me but a portable workbench when working outside. It would make a good platform to attach my miter saw, vice etc.

Sounds like a good idea. When one gets forks, we seem to transform into putting everything on pallets. You could mount a piece of plywood on a pallet, then permanently attach your miter saw to it. Potentially use different 'benches' for different types of project work.

We've been thinking of building/buying large shelving which could hold pallets with items like this attached.

 

I use an 8ft wooden skid that a piece of equipment came to my work on. I put eye bolts in the skid and chain it to the loader. Then I use a saftey harness on me and connect it to the laoder. The most dangerous part of it all is my 66 year old Dad running the laoder.

 

I was told when I was a kid to never trust the loader, it could drop at any unexpected time, yet nobody has mentioned that. Was I told wrong?

 

You a probably correct. Right or Wrong we have been using our lift platform for many years, ALWAYS a person on the tractor and the tractor running, haven't had an issue yet.

 

As the tractor operator for Giz, I have noticed the hydraulics do leak down on occasion, but so far nothing major.

 

Soooo... are you saying he could stand to lose a few pounds? :mocking:

 

It is always best to err on the side of caution.

 

I guess I should now look into moving the couch to the garage.

 

No. No. No. Then you'll just be in my way.:tongue:

 

Wow, people are strict on here. I don't have pallet forks so I'm safe there but I'm not even going to say what I do with my bucket. I'd probably get banned. Needless to say I do it as safely as possible. Things need to get done and sometimes the bucket is the safest way and if I had pallet forks I'd use them too. Matter of fact, pallet forks would be safer then the bucket. Don't ask because one thing I will do is NOT give someone any ideas on what to do that they aren't comfortable with. Lets just say this. While doing something as simple as mowing, my wife won't watch me. She wouldn't watch me having fun with my CJ5 jeep back years ago when I had it either. :munch:

 

Strict? Banned? Nah. We like to spread ideas and good information, not ban people. You haven't broken any rules. :thumbup1gif:

People learn from their mistakes. I hope to learn from other's mistakes so I don't have to learn them the hard way myself. Same thing applies in this thread. I don't believe we/me are strict, I'm just sharing my experiences and operating techniques and beliefs with others here. You're a grown man who can make educated decisions for yourself.:good2:

 

Moderators have a tough job. They do it well here on GTT. :thumbup1gif:

 

This thread has been great for helping me with some ideas. Doing maintenance on our house and outbuildings has become quite challenging for us - keep the ideas and pics coming!

 

Yes, same for me. I was hesitant to post the original picture, as I expected some folks to jump all over it.
However, there have been some really good ideas posted in response.
Keep the ideas and pics coming...

 

The safety Nazis are all over at TBN.

If I built one for myself, I'd add a 3" - 4" toe-kick/toe-board.

 

A younger friend on the platform helping us paint a couple years ago. I'm the good looking guy in the tractor seat.

 

A younger friend on the platform helping us paint a couple years ago. I'm the good looking guy in the tractor seat.

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I have no comment.:laugh:

 

You know, I don't think there is anyone in this conversation that is saying working on a tractor front end loader in a box or on a pallet or such like is up to OSHA or OHS standards or is the safest way to do aerial work. It really isn't the "right" way to do this work. I think we are just a bunch of guys, (and a few gals), sitting around chewing the fat and sharing what each of us do or won't do. If I get tipped out of my pallet box because my grandson decides it is a good time to push that lever I really don't think I would blame a friend that showed me how to build it. Now there will be some discussion with the grand boy that's for sure, :nunu:.

Anyway, that is my disclaimer! :flag_of_truce:

 

You know, I don't think there is anyone in this conversation that is saying working on a tractor front end loader in a box or on a pallet or such like is up to OSHA or OHS standards or is the safest way to do aerial work. It really isn't the "right" way to do this work. I think we are just a bunch of guys, (and a few gals), sitting around chewing the fat and sharing what each of us do or won't do.

Agreed!:thumbup1gif:

If I get tipped out of my pallet box because my grandson decides it is a good time to push that lever I really don't think I would blame a friend that showed me how to build it. Now there will be some discussion with the grand boy that's for sure.

Set the lock on the SCV and you will live to see another day (so will your grandson):lol:

 

So what I've learned so far from this thread is... NEVER post anything that remotely suggests one has suffered an actual injury or potential fracture while using the FEL as a manlift... don't even post a good scare! We'll just keep that stuff quiet in the name of saving massive amounts of "I told you so!" bandwidth on the forum...:laugh:

 

I might be interested in using some steel tubing for the railing. Where would I find it? How would I bend it?

 

You could use electrical conduit. It's fairly cheap and you can buy a bender for short $$. Any Lowe's or Home Depot.... Could use galvi steel plumbing pipe/fittings too but the $$ would go up quite a bit.

 

You're around Indy and I'm in Tn. so I can't help you on that. As for bending it, a muffler shop might help you on that part. :thumbup1gif:

 

Perhaps an old bucket from a bucket truck could be leveraged. They have high sides, lightweight, and some even have hydraulic controls that could be "Rednecked" into working so you could lift yourself up and down. Only other thing would be I'd want some ballast on the back end.