Bobcat/forklift on a side slope

[william127]

What sort of side slope can you safely operate a bobcat and a forklift on? I am trying to mechanise my log handling but the barn floor has a 1in 10 side slope(measured it yesterday) and is too narrow for a telehandler or tractor loader.

Also what sort of height and weight can a small-medium bobcat lift?

[cornish wood burner]

What sort of side slope can you safely operate a bobcat and a forklift on? I am trying to mechanise my log handling but the barn floor has a 1in 10 side slope(measured it yesterday) and is too narrow for a telehandler or tractor loader.

Also what sort of height and weight can a small-medium bobcat lift?

 

You can soon get into trouble across a slope. Presumably you want to stack in which case any lifting will move the centre of gravity further down the slope towards the lower wheel 100mm for every metre lift. (already off centre before you start) Add to that a narrow machine, extra weight compressing the lower wheel which then moves the c.o.g further and even worse skid steer then easy to flip it over.

Use a plumb bob from however high you want to go with the wheel base marked below and you will see how safe it looks.

We have a telehandler with a 3 ton lift so fairly wide and if you lift high across a slope it doesn't feel good.

Single stack and keep low should just about be OK but skid steer is the last thing I would want on a slope, they frighten the life out of me, no other options possible like a small telehandler?

Edited March 31, 2015 by cornish wood burner

[tcfengineering]

I had a very small narrow access bobcat - I forget the model number - and it was totally terrifying on side slopes and I am quite brave. Now I have a Bobcat 741 full size machine and I am amazed by it, I am quite comfy on reasonable side slopes even lifting quite high. Driving down a slope forwards is perfectly fine as is backing up a slope, but backing down or driving up a steep slope can get quite tippy with nothing in the bucket

 

Skid steers are not everyones cup of tea, but I absolutely love mine. I am just building a log grab for it this week. Should be great to help processing firewood.

[william127]

Thanks for the answers, suspected that would be the case. I am now going back to my original plan of buying a 1.5 ton mini digger, completely different to the machines listed above but much more usefull for so much else including (hand) processing the logs. I will just carry on with my pallet forks on the tractor and hand crane on the truck for moving the bags for the minute, and maybe get a 3pl forklift for the mf 35 when I have put it back together!

[cornish wood burner]

Thanks for the answers, suspected that would be the case. I am now going back to my original plan of buying a 1.5 ton mini digger, completely different to the machines listed above but much more usefull for so much else including (hand) processing the logs. I will just carry on with my pallet forks on the tractor and hand crane on the truck for moving the bags for the minute, and maybe get a 3pl forklift for the mf 35 when I have put it back together!

 

Why bobcat. Just because a bobcat would not be safe that's no reason to give up on your plan. You could look for a wide wheel base rough terrain forklift. Should be more maneuverable than a 35 and safer than a bobcat.

[william127]

The problem is that what I really need is a digger for landscaping, clearing trees etc, so I need to spend the money on the digger and use it to help cut down on the handling of the logs where I can. Then I'll look at maybe getting a leaf loading machine next year, although since I decided to get a digger I keep seeing cheep rough terrain forklifts!

[cornish wood burner]

The problem is that what I really need is a digger for landscaping, clearing trees etc, so I need to spend the money on the digger and use it to help cut down on the handling of the logs where I can. Then I'll look at maybe getting a leaf loading machine next year, although since I decided to get a digger I keep seeing cheep rough terrain forklifts!

 

Always the way, sods law. Best to pretend to look for forklifts then you will find a good digger cheap.

Good luck with it