Fork Build for a 453

[Katoh]

G'Day Freinds
As prommised in a previous thread I have finally gotton onto building a set of forks for the 453. The first thing I had to do is to clean the little beast up a bit, a Dulax overhaul was inorder, with a few minor repairs
.

the cage had a big hole throught it were it must of landed on something substaintial after being rolled over. I used 10mm x 3mm flat bar to replace that section of mesh, you can see the metal thickness difference.

What we used to look like, not very flattering.

What we look like now, with a fresh coat of 2K.

and from another view, looking not bad for a brushed on coat.

Here we have a set of tynes that I purchased of ebay, trying to work out how to make them work. These are new tynes cost $112Au delivered for the pair can't complain there, the only thing they are only 800mm in length.

Down to design, somw 100x100x6 angle cut to shape then some 75 x6 flate bar peices 94mm long welded in place, two off each mirror reveresd. I wont bore everone with specifics, but if someone is interested Im more than happy to post some detailed drawings of the complete design.

Ok we got most of it together a rushed juob as I had to move some white-goods for one of my neighbours. The bar holding both tynes is a solid peice of 39.5mm Dia bright steel.

A diferent view, to check strength was crude by any measure, I raised the forks a foot of the ground the starting jumping on them, If they could take 105Kg bouncing on them its not to bad a start. Then I just hung the bobcat of them well, it supported its weight not probs at all.
I have stripped them only this evening as I want to add a centre barce and give them a coat of paint, I decided also to coat the bucket at the same time. There was a special on green enamel so thats the colour of choice. These were built from scap in my yard, I had to buy the rtynes and some steel, till now total cost is only $150.
As Stated if anyone is interested I will post the specs on the build.
Cheers
Katoh

 

[SkidRoe]

Nicely done. These should be handy.
The one thing you may want to think about is a counter weight on the rear door to maximise your lifting power. 50 kg makes a huge difference. Mine has a gas engine, so I have a set that I can add and remove, giving me almost 100kg extra. The door hinges handle it no problem.
It is amazing what a coat of paint will do for the looks of these machines, even if it is just brushed on. I hit mine with a few spray cans last year. What a difference!! Anything looks better than rust.
I like the tie down points on your machine. Did you add them, or did the previous owner?
Cheers,
SR

 

[Tazza]

Nicely done. These should be handy.
The one thing you may want to think about is a counter weight on the rear door to maximise your lifting power. 50 kg makes a huge difference. Mine has a gas engine, so I have a set that I can add and remove, giving me almost 100kg extra. The door hinges handle it no problem.
It is amazing what a coat of paint will do for the looks of these machines, even if it is just brushed on. I hit mine with a few spray cans last year. What a difference!! Anything looks better than rust.
I like the tie down points on your machine. Did you add them, or did the previous owner?
Cheers,
SR

Very nice job indeed.
I cobbled up a set of forks about a year ago. I had a carriage off a side shift forklift. So essentially it had two carriages as they are a mating set that slide on each other. My dad sold one set that was made of 1" plate. I kept the sliding part. I had some old 4" heavy wall box section that i cut up and welded together to make the attach plate. I cut the carriage down so it would sit on the machine with a back lean on it and zapped it all together. I think it took me a few days to do as it was between other jobs, and there was a lot of welding involved. It has worked great, i used it two weekends ago moving concrete pavers. Before that it moved a 1 tonne bag of blasting cand off my dad's truck.
I got the forks and carriage for free, as was the steel i used. All it cost me was the gas for the torch to cut the steel up and the power/gas to weld it all back together. My dad even made $200 on the spare carriage and forks that were laying around.
They sure are handy!

 

[Katoh]

Very nice job indeed.
I cobbled up a set of forks about a year ago. I had a carriage off a side shift forklift. So essentially it had two carriages as they are a mating set that slide on each other. My dad sold one set that was made of 1" plate. I kept the sliding part. I had some old 4" heavy wall box section that i cut up and welded together to make the attach plate. I cut the carriage down so it would sit on the machine with a back lean on it and zapped it all together. I think it took me a few days to do as it was between other jobs, and there was a lot of welding involved. It has worked great, i used it two weekends ago moving concrete pavers. Before that it moved a 1 tonne bag of blasting cand off my dad's truck.
I got the forks and carriage for free, as was the steel i used. All it cost me was the gas for the torch to cut the steel up and the power/gas to weld it all back together. My dad even made $200 on the spare carriage and forks that were laying around.
They sure are handy!

Gentlemen Thanks for replies. The tie downs were added before i purchased the machine but a good idea nevertheless. As far as counterweights go, I was planning on utilizing the tow bar hitch on the rear, it will fit a 50x50RHS nicely which so happens I have plenty off. With two stabilizers welded on I can even use the pin to attach it and remove it. What I was thinking the main RHS bar that will run through the tow hitch I would weld a solid round bar 28mm dia vertically from it. I really have to take a pic to explain this properly, but with that done I use Gymm weights as my counterweights, simply just place them over the rod. Easy to handle, come in 25kg blocks, and easily removed. Now I'm just scrounging on ebay to I find a cheap set close enough for me to pickup. Cheers Katoh

 

[SkidRoe]

Gentlemen Thanks for replies. The tie downs were added before i purchased the machine but a good idea nevertheless. As far as counterweights go, I was planning on utilizing the tow bar hitch on the rear, it will fit a 50x50RHS nicely which so happens I have plenty off. With two stabilizers welded on I can even use the pin to attach it and remove it. What I was thinking the main RHS bar that will run through the tow hitch I would weld a solid round bar 28mm dia vertically from it. I really have to take a pic to explain this properly, but with that done I use Gymm weights as my counterweights, simply just place them over the rod. Easy to handle, come in 25kg blocks, and easily removed. Now I'm just scrounging on ebay to I find a cheap set close enough for me to pickup. Cheers Katoh

I get what you mean. Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

[Katoh]

I get what you mean. Sounds like a good plan to me.

One other thing I should of added earlier, the little beast looks good with the new paint job, but it really needs that something special. I sent a photo to http://home.fuse.net/edge/racersedge/stickers.htm (motodecals) and they are making and sending me a complete set of decals as per original, for a great price. I reckon it well just finish it off, almost make it like new.

 

[Katoh]

One other thing I should of added earlier, the little beast looks good with the new paint job, but it really needs that something special. I sent a photo to http://home.fuse.net/edge/racersedge/stickers.htm (motodecals) and they are making and sending me a complete set of decals as per original, for a great price. I reckon it well just finish it off, almost make it like new.

A couple of quick pics of the finished frame,

Green was the call, as I found it at right price.

Why I'm at it, may as well paint the bucket too, Friends of mine are horrified, I took the little machines dignity away from it, but as stated it still looks better then rust.
Now a minor hick up in my design, I have no way of locking the forks into place, I assumed incorrectly mind you that once they are loaded they would lock in but it seems I made them a little to easy to move and they don't lock in. Open to suggestions on this one, the following photo shows the the fork top and the large round bar that supports the fork.

Cheers Katoh

 

[OldMachinist]

A couple of quick pics of the finished frame,

Green was the call, as I found it at right price.

Why I'm at it, may as well paint the bucket too, Friends of mine are horrified, I took the little machines dignity away from it, but as stated it still looks better then rust.
Now a minor hick up in my design, I have no way of locking the forks into place, I assumed incorrectly mind you that once they are loaded they would lock in but it seems I made them a little to easy to move and they don't lock in. Open to suggestions on this one, the following photo shows the the fork top and the large round bar that supports the fork.

Cheers Katoh

You can drill and tap the top of the round that slides on the bar and install t-bolts to lock it to the shaft. If you have access to a milling machine mill a flat along the top of the shaft or drill dimples at even spaced intervals.

 

[mahans7]

You can drill and tap the top of the round that slides on the bar and install t-bolts to lock it to the shaft. If you have access to a milling machine mill a flat along the top of the shaft or drill dimples at even spaced intervals.

Hey Katoh. Your 453 really cleaned up nice and that decal set from motodecals.com is going to be a nice finishing touch(I'll be ordering a set from them too for my "rusty for now" 743). Please post a picture of the finished product and if you would of the counterweight system. Using weightlifting weights is ingenious. I'd also like to see a post of the specs of your forklift build. It appears superb! Ed

 

[Katoh]

Hey Katoh. Your 453 really cleaned up nice and that decal set from motodecals.com is going to be a nice finishing touch(I'll be ordering a set from them too for my "rusty for now" 743). Please post a picture of the finished product and if you would of the counterweight system. Using weightlifting weights is ingenious. I'd also like to see a post of the specs of your forklift build. It appears superb! Ed

Gentlemen
Again thanks for the advice, I do have a big milling machine , but its in the process of being converted to full CNC like all my other equipment, the way I'm going it wont be up and running for another 12 months. Until then I was thinking about it, and I might just use an exhaust pipe clamp either side of the forks. Not the prettiest solution, but definitely the easiest, just until I get all this wonderful machinery up and running, then I can make something better.
Ed
I will definitely post some pics when I finally get the decals on, I ordered them weeks ago, so they can't be to far off now. I used this afternoon to replace all the non slip pads on the front that I had to remove for painting, and set up the reversing camera. Now wow! for $58Au I bought a reversing camera from Ebay with a 7" screen, set it up on a cabinet hinge off the the roof and boy doesn't it work well. One thing and I only tried it tonight was the night vision, I thought yeah crap, what a crock but with no lights the bloody thing works better than it does through the day , go figure.
I will draw up the plans of the forks and post them when I get the pics of the decals, just remember these are for a 453, I think your 743 has a different setup, but I'm not sure. If you can get something out of them great. I'm still looking for gym weights, there everywhere on Ebay but nothing in driving distance for me, maybe people round my part of the world just don't need them, and there happy like me, we don't need a six pack because we have the whole KEG! Thats the only thing from stopping my counterweight build at present, I just need a few dimensions.
Cheers Katoh

 

[Tazza]

Gentlemen
Again thanks for the advice, I do have a big milling machine , but its in the process of being converted to full CNC like all my other equipment, the way I'm going it wont be up and running for another 12 months. Until then I was thinking about it, and I might just use an exhaust pipe clamp either side of the forks. Not the prettiest solution, but definitely the easiest, just until I get all this wonderful machinery up and running, then I can make something better.
Ed
I will definitely post some pics when I finally get the decals on, I ordered them weeks ago, so they can't be to far off now. I used this afternoon to replace all the non slip pads on the front that I had to remove for painting, and set up the reversing camera. Now wow! for $58Au I bought a reversing camera from Ebay with a 7" screen, set it up on a cabinet hinge off the the roof and boy doesn't it work well. One thing and I only tried it tonight was the night vision, I thought yeah crap, what a crock but with no lights the bloody thing works better than it does through the day , go figure.
I will draw up the plans of the forks and post them when I get the pics of the decals, just remember these are for a 453, I think your 743 has a different setup, but I'm not sure. If you can get something out of them great. I'm still looking for gym weights, there everywhere on Ebay but nothing in driving distance for me, maybe people round my part of the world just don't need them, and there happy like me, we don't need a six pack because we have the whole KEG! Thats the only thing from stopping my counterweight build at present, I just need a few dimensions.
Cheers Katoh

Have you tried gumtree.com.au for the weights too?

 

[SkidRoe]

Gentlemen
Again thanks for the advice, I do have a big milling machine , but its in the process of being converted to full CNC like all my other equipment, the way I'm going it wont be up and running for another 12 months. Until then I was thinking about it, and I might just use an exhaust pipe clamp either side of the forks. Not the prettiest solution, but definitely the easiest, just until I get all this wonderful machinery up and running, then I can make something better.
Ed
I will definitely post some pics when I finally get the decals on, I ordered them weeks ago, so they can't be to far off now. I used this afternoon to replace all the non slip pads on the front that I had to remove for painting, and set up the reversing camera. Now wow! for $58Au I bought a reversing camera from Ebay with a 7" screen, set it up on a cabinet hinge off the the roof and boy doesn't it work well. One thing and I only tried it tonight was the night vision, I thought yeah crap, what a crock but with no lights the bloody thing works better than it does through the day , go figure.
I will draw up the plans of the forks and post them when I get the pics of the decals, just remember these are for a 453, I think your 743 has a different setup, but I'm not sure. If you can get something out of them great. I'm still looking for gym weights, there everywhere on Ebay but nothing in driving distance for me, maybe people round my part of the world just don't need them, and there happy like me, we don't need a six pack because we have the whole KEG! Thats the only thing from stopping my counterweight build at present, I just need a few dimensions.
Cheers Katoh

Just for a an alternate idea, here is the weight package I put on my 440B:

They weigh about 100 lbs each.. The rear one comes off with 2 nuts. Because my machine is air cooled, I off set the main weight with nuts and washers to allow air flow:

There were some pre-existing holes in the door, so I only had to drill two holes in the door for mounting.
I like this set up as it does not add much length to the machine, and it also acts as a rear bumper.

 

[Katoh]

Just for a an alternate idea, here is the weight package I put on my 440B:


They weigh about 100 lbs each.. The rear one comes off with 2 nuts. Because my machine is air cooled, I off set the main weight with nuts and washers to allow air flow:

There were some pre-existing holes in the door, so I only had to drill two holes in the door for mounting.
I like this set up as it does not add much length to the machine, and it also acts as a rear bumper.

I do like your back plates, good idea indeed and neat to bout!
I have just got it in my head I didn't want anything permanent on the back, and with the tow hitch there I just thought perfect slide in and out pin to fix in place.
Going back to counterweights, I am planning on buying a 44Gallon drum of oil this week, 200ltr here in Aus. The oil may you can get oil here at a decent price is to buy bulk, works out at $3.75/ltr the cheapest I can get anywhere else is $4.50/ltr on special. Sorry I'm rambling to the point, will I need counterweights to lift the drum off the truck, assume at worst drum weight 220kg.
Cheers Katoh

 

[bobcat763]

I do like your back plates, good idea indeed and neat to bout!
I have just got it in my head I didn't want anything permanent on the back, and with the tow hitch there I just thought perfect slide in and out pin to fix in place.
Going back to counterweights, I am planning on buying a 44Gallon drum of oil this week, 200ltr here in Aus. The oil may you can get oil here at a decent price is to buy bulk, works out at $3.75/ltr the cheapest I can get anywhere else is $4.50/ltr on special. Sorry I'm rambling to the point, will I need counterweights to lift the drum off the truck, assume at worst drum weight 220kg.
Cheers Katoh

nice forks how mucth can they lift and dose that machine have aux

 

[Katoh]

nice forks how mucth can they lift and dose that machine have aux

Morning,
The actual forks themselves I think are rated to 2.5t, they are just a universal agricultural fork that they use for farm machinery. The thing I really like about them is this set was only 800mm long, suits the little 453 and keeps things as close to the machine as possible. As for what the 453 can lift with the forks with and without counterweights is yet to be determined. Some lift 1200lbs (550kg) with counterweights, mine I don't know yet.
When you talk of aux are you referring to hydraulics for a 4in1 bucket that can be used attachments, if so yes. the only thing according to the specs its only 6.8GPM or 25.7lpm, I haven't tried personally but have read that its a little on the small side to run many of the bigger attachments, but then again I maybe totally wrong.
Cheers
Katoh

 

[Katoh]

Morning,
The actual forks themselves I think are rated to 2.5t, they are just a universal agricultural fork that they use for farm machinery. The thing I really like about them is this set was only 800mm long, suits the little 453 and keeps things as close to the machine as possible. As for what the 453 can lift with the forks with and without counterweights is yet to be determined. Some lift 1200lbs (550kg) with counterweights, mine I don't know yet.
When you talk of aux are you referring to hydraulics for a 4in1 bucket that can be used attachments, if so yes. the only thing according to the specs its only 6.8GPM or 25.7lpm, I haven't tried personally but have read that its a little on the small side to run many of the bigger attachments, but then again I maybe totally wrong.
Cheers
Katoh

G'Day Friends
Just thought that Ill post a couple of pic's to add to the thread.
Here is the little 453 with the new decal's looks like new!

One thing that i didn't show was the reversing camera I installed, $58Au with a 7" screen of Ebay, has night vision. An absolute must. Please excuse the second pick accidentally got part of my ugly mug in it.

And I have set it all up on a spare cabinet hinge I had left over from a job, it folds neatly into the roof space.

Cheers
Katoh

 

[Tazza]

G'Day Friends
Just thought that Ill post a couple of pic's to add to the thread.
Here is the little 453 with the new decal's looks like new!
One thing that i didn't show was the reversing camera I installed, $58Au with a 7" screen of Ebay, has night vision. An absolute must. Please excuse the second pick accidentally got part of my ugly mug in it.

And I have set it all up on a spare cabinet hinge I had left over from a job, it folds neatly into the roof space.

Cheers
Katoh

Hmmmmm I do like that idea. Machine looks pretty good too!
May look at adding one of those to my S150....

 

[SkidRoe]

Hmmmmm I do like that idea. Machine looks pretty good too!
May look at adding one of those to my S150....

I see you have fitted your receiver for your hitch/counter weight. How is the weight search going? By the way, machine is looking good!!

 

[Katoh]

I see you have fitted your receiver for your hitch/counter weight. How is the weight search going? By the way, machine is looking good!!

Gentlemen
The receiver for the trailer hitch was fitted to the bobcat when I purchased it, that's why I am so admit in using it, on a sadder note I am yet to find some weight plates around my area. A work colleague has offered me some for the right price (nothing) but has yet to give me them and also mentioned there was not a lot of weight to be had. Still better than nothing. The problem is without without the weight plates I am not sure on what I'm supposed to build to support them.
Cheers
Katoh