Project Clark forklift

[plastikosmd]

Ugh, project Clark
Runs and u just can't kill it
4cyl continental, articulating, 4wd
It has spent its life outside and untouched for years. Time to show it some love


First thing I noted once up, fuel line has a nice near 90 deg kink. Ten bucks says it starts flooding once I fix this


Then a little further up someone used the exhaust pipe to bend the fuel line around a corner, wth?!


Mast bearings need work, should look like this


Got 2 that look like this, empty race with a few balls clanking around


Also I need to replace a solid hydro line in an impossible spot and some seals

[90nut]

Oh the joys of forklift refurbishing. Seems they are rode hard and put away wet.

[plastikosmd]

Amen, second only to crawlers

[atc007]

That fuel line.................. Dear God. Is that tech for hire? That is no joke. Glad it never burnt up on you.

[plastikosmd]

Ya amazing, prob been like that for 30 yrs
I had it idling for 3 hrs today looking for the various hydraulic leaks, agreed, accident waiting to happen

[tripledog]

I love it when a forlorn machine goes to a good home to have years of neglect erased. That forklift is a TANK, and is likely built better than a more contemporary model.
A bit off topic, perhaps, but I have actually sold reconditioned items back to the very people that threw them away. It is amazing what people discard. Conversely, it is inspiring when someone can see a diamond in the rough, and has the means to restore it to its former glory. Keep up the good work!

[plastikosmd]

Thx trip
Frankly I had considered selling as I would like 14" more height but, using that 13'2" height (wood shop access) is a rarity at least for heavy stuff as I have about all the machines, save one (planer-jointer) already up there. On the plus side the lift is seemingly bullet proof, starts right up after a year of sitting. It had done this multiple times. Runs like a top. It only needs minor work to address leaks and bearings. Brakes work well. 4wd and can be driven across a lawn or in woods on my more groomed trails all with 6000lb capacity. Articulated fully hydraulic steering. Finally it just looks cool so I am gonna keep her and keep her indoors, repairing what I must to function well into the future.

[tripledog]

That thang gotta Hemi?

[coolpool]

Holy hannah that's a load to lift the load lifter! Problem is you'll need another forklift to take this one apart; or use one end of your lift I guess once the undercarraige is good. Are those split ring rims on there?

[plastikosmd]

yep split rings, thankful that tires are good and have been holding air. I think if they ever go I will have to cut out center and adapt to another rim if I cant get bolt pattern to match. I do not have a cage or want to mess with split rings in my shop.

I have a big engine hoist and the overhead beam to lift off the front fork frame. The main frame is ok it is the carriage that rides up and down on the frame that has the shot bearings. That shouldn't be more than 800lbs or so based on my rough sizing.

UC is great and engine runs like a top along with all the transfer cases (2) and tranny along with reverser so lucky there

[coolpool]

Good news, your tires do look good from what I can see! I chuckle at the bad rap split rims get nowadays; I used to change out the tubes on a great many of them from our 5-ton army trucks after picking up spent shell casings and such. Yes a cage is required, probably the only safe thing we carried in the field. Why was it always the inside duals that got it! I've heard that some shops won't touch them anymore, WTH? What year is that thing anyways? I wouldn't doubt that bolt pattern would fit a 2 1/2 ton 6x6.

[plastikosmd]

Hydro line done, fuel line fixed, greased, now carriage bearings. New ones on order. Using lifts to pick machine as I catch the carriage on a jack

https://youtu.be/7kxSL4QRCTw



Maybe they just need grease? Lol

[plastikosmd]

Well, got the worst of the leaks fixed, new battery, new carriage bearings, fuel line, greased, oil changed, weld repair to fork upright, and a broken toe from a minor mishap. Wife could not stop laughing. She said she has a "nervous" laugh. The cat would have been more help getting a bandaid.

[coolpool]

Wow that looks like hard, heavy work! Are you going to have to get the forks tested? I think more eloboration on the toe is needed; your cat said so.

[plastikosmd]

Good thought but No need for load test. It is part of the upright that broke. Previous owner had welded on extensions to uprights for the sheds he was moving. (He made them about 2' taller for tall objects to sit against.) I popped his weld on one of them doing what shouldn't have been done with them. I had overestimated the weight of a drott loader and had it chained to these uprights, cantilevered way out over forks. Stuff sitting against them is fine or light securing, not 4000 lbs out about 8' on center on 4' forks!

Toe was the typical heavy weight vs slipped jack. I was conscious of the risk, expecting the jack to kick and was keeping clear or so I thought. Didn't slow me down minus waiting for a bandaid as I didn't want to hop to the house.