First Forklift setup

[justin]

i have one $2,000 pollination contract in the spring. i have around 24 pallets. i rent a bobcat once to move them in and once to move them out. it costs about $240 twice. i make $1500 that i couldn't make at all without the machine. i plan to own a machine in a few years. i'm guessing it will be a bobcat, because of the other things we do around here, although i use another guys swinger in the almonds (moving his bees) and love it.if i was going to go big for pollination it'd be a swinger. i've never tried a hummerbee.

[hpm08161947]

i have one $2,000 pollination contract in the spring. i have around 24 pallets. i rent a bobcat once to move them in and once to move them out.

Give a buddy $100 to help you and load them by hand, $2000 sounds like about 35 hives... not too tough... and I am an old man! Put $400 in your pocket towards a bobcat.... when you have to move at least 200

[jjgbee]

Anyone remember when beeks made a forklift out of an old 4wd jeep or toyota chassis with steering reversed and a fork mast welded to the rear. 1967?? I know of 2 still being used after 45 yrs.

[Nick Noyes]

We still have one that was a Ford Bronco. I used it this morning but not to move bees. It doesn't see much bee action anymore but in its day it did.

[Vasile]

Where would be the best place to look for a used bobcat in the $6-10K range. Thank you in advanced.

[Ozone]

I am really leaning toward that. Have you seen do it yourself plans? Otherwise I was thinking of getting one from these guys http://www.edwards-equip.com/Content/Forklifts.aspx

Can you take a mast off of a regular fork lift and modify it to be a 3 point.? I find quite a few junk lifts on craigs list http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/bfs/2732841687.html

Also found this but something more substantial would be nice. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/b...anybody-3.html

I have bucket forks except I cant see over the bucket so it requires 2 of us and is very time consuming. Also no side shift.

I have one of those 3 pt. pallet movers. Work fine to move pallets, but won't load a truck.

Now that, a pallet jack and lift gate......

[Ozone]

I do, but I was close to you, (down the valley) so it could have been the same one.

[Elwood]

I have seen some skid turn loaders sell very reasonably at Ritchie Brothers auctions. They hold them all over the country.

[HONEYDEW]

I have seen some skid turn loaders sell very reasonably at Ritchie Brothers auctions. They hold them all over the country.

I believe they are headquartered along I-5 about exit 65 in Washington State. They have huge auctions there almost every 2 months