Handicap lift for tractor

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Thought I would share my last project and see how it goes. Hope I can figure out how to post pics. lol. A while back I was at a friends house and his neighbor came over. The neighbor was feeling down because he was getting too old and his disability was getting so bad that he couldn't get on his tractor anymore. He liked to farm his 10 acres and plow his own drive with it and drive through his woods on his trails. Without thinking I piped up and said I would build him a lift. LOL, I frequently speak without thinking. Anyway here is the lift. I had several versions go through my head before settleing on this one in the end. I actually first thought of doing something like a platform lift on the back of a truck. But there was only about 16" between the loader frame and tire and only 24" from tractor to outside of tire and I didn't think that was enough room so I decided a forklift boom type would be better. I did have to leave the quick tach loader so it could be removed, so that limited where I could mount to. Well enough chat, here are some pics of the build.First is the materiel pile. lol. Then the main frame channels, 7ga. 3 1/8" is. x 4' lined with UHMW plastic for wear and easy sliding. then the lift frame 2x2x3/16" tube. Attached Images
Reply:Then the main frame. I used some 1/4" flat washers spaced along the length to get enough clearance so it would slide easy. I used 1 1/2 x1 1/2 x 3/16" angle to hold the frame. Cut them on the Ellis band saw. Winch plate is 4" x 1/2". Sure hope I can get my new shop built soon so I have room to work. Attached ImagesLast edited by welderj; 07-23-2013 at 04:50 PM.
Reply:Next was to mount it to the tractor. I mounted it to the bottom of the loader main frame. Used 3x4x1/4 angle bolted to the frame. Then some channels from the main frame to the angles and between the channels. Then some paint for that part. Attached Images
Reply:Next was to mount it so I could fab the platform. The platform is more of the 2x2x3/16" tube and 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 3/16 angle.  The expanded is 1" x 7ga. unflattened. The railing is 1 1/2" pipe. i did miss taking a pic of the final gusseting on the bottom, it has 2 gussets more, one covers the end of the tubes and goes up about 4" and the other goes toward the right, or the platform side and over the tubes. then some paint for that part. Attached Images
Reply:The final assly. and mount the winch. The winch is a warn made for lifting with a 1500 lb. lift cap. Attached Images
Reply:Finally Bill on his first ride. Attached Images
Reply:Very nice.  You should make a video with the owner riding up to where he gets onto the seat.   Mac
Reply:Great job on the lift, it came out really nice.  I do have to question if the person can't physically climb up on to the tractor by himself is he really fit to operate one safely after he gets up there?
Reply:Thank you for documenting the build. That is very nice of you to help that ol'feller out!
Reply:I did get one, but the camera battery went dead about 1/2 way up. lol. Did get my wife to come out, at night, and in the rain to give it a shot tho.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LETnsEaA4o[/ame]Bill on his first ride. Sorry the camera battery died half way up.[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VspHYrEosc[/ame]Last edited by welderj; 07-23-2013 at 04:42 PM.
Reply:That's the best god damn hoverround I've ever seen! love it. lol.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Wow! That's a great project, it came out really well made and looks like it's part of the tractor. Great job and thanks for posting the great step by step photos too.
Reply:Originally Posted by OxfordGreat job on the lift, it came out really nice.  I do have to question if the person can't physically climb up on to the tractor by himself is he really fit to operate one safely after he gets up there?
Reply:That was very thoughtful of you to expend your  time and material to help the fella.                                   MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I don't want to mislead here, I did get paid to do this. It covered the materiel and a bit more.
Reply:There is no shame in getting paid to build a well thought out and constucted project. Hopefully that gentleman gets to enjoy his tractor for many more years because of that lift.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:We have a local guy that was a heavy equipment operator. He was involved in a work related injury that paralyzed him from the neck down. eventualy he regained most of his body control from the waist up. It almost drove him nuts while he was just sitting around being taken care of.  so when He started getting his control back He started getting modifications done to his Cat and truck so he could use them.  Now we hire him to do road building, skidding, grading, ect. He is as good a man as you can hire and a real pleasure to be around...  Hooray for mechanics to help a fellow out.   Mac
Reply:Very Nice! Good work!
Reply:Great project, thanks for sharing.  I bet Bill is pretty happy.
Reply:Cant express how great this is! Helping someone out is GREAT!!Thermal Arc 186 AC/DC Tig SystemMillermultimatic 200 with spool gunFisher Norris 124lbs AnvilLiebherr Mining and Liebherr Nenzing Craneshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/ShootAphoto
Reply:Fantastic build, just perfect.
Reply:Nice job, that's what America used to be like, neighbors helping neighbors.
Reply:Nice idea, but im going to piss on it a bitNo secondary system / safeties ?Make sure he keeps a good eye on the condition of the cable.I might have gone with a worm gear
Reply:As someone that hopes to get old and still play with tractors, thanks. I know someone will be there to help me when the time comes.
Reply:I am impressed with your work on the lift.   Reminds me of how it used to be with folks pitching in and helping work out things to help folks.  richeyThanks for all the great responses. This was a very fun project and just the kind of thing I like to do. I have a few other projects that I've done that are simpler and will post those when I can. As for the question about the safety, you have a point. I thought of a screw type but couldn't find one I could afford so this is what it is. Wish I could have found something better in budget, but I think this will work for how long he has left.
Reply:That is one of the coolest projects I've seen!  Nicely done Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Nice build man, I never would of thought of that.PROUD   AMERICAN
Reply:Great to see projects like this, nice job!If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Very cool, I like it.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Well doneThe main thing is not to panic or get excited Bobcat 250, X-Treme 12VS,  MM211Meltabo, Milwaukee,Porter Cable,Dewalt,MakitaVictor O/A, Ingersoll-RandEvolution Rage2, 40 amp PlasmaLincoln 225 AC/DC
Reply:When I'm unable to climb onto my tractors, I'm going to have someone build something like this for me. I really like the plastic slides. A hell of a lot easier than greasing it all the time!Lincoln Precision Tig 185Lincoln Power Mig 256Hypertherm PM 45Everlast 140STSmith O/A
Reply:Great work, and thanks for sharing.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:Great build. Send a few photos and a write up into Farm Show. I especially like the paint. It almost looks factory.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireGreat build. Send a few photos and a write up into Farm Show. I especially like the paint. It almost looks factory.
Reply:Excellent fabrication skillsI like someone who sees, or is presented with, a need, and can make it happen.  It's pretty rare.The paint was overkill though"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Another tip of the hat for a "GREAT BUILD"!Good on you welderj, for helping out someone in need.  As for being compensated?  I see nothing wrong with recovering the cost of materiel and a bit for your obvious ingenious design skill and fab work.  I build some hand rails for handicap access ramps occasionally and ask mainly for the material cost.  I know what mobility can mean to a disabled person, both physically and mentally.  The happiness on the recipients face is thanks enough for a few hours of donated labor.  I know there is a great deal of interest in the disabled farmer problem these days with minor disabilities causing many to sell off and retire from the thing they love most.  Solutions such as yours go a long ways towards keeping these people living productive and happy lives.  I second forhire, you should send that to Successful Farming and/or RFD TV.  Again, JOB WELL DONE!RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Very awesome job bud!!!! And the paint really topped it off in my opinion! Samms favorite color is solid matte rust  I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Really nice
Reply:Good build. Great idea. Perfect solution for the ol' guy
Reply:One of the coolest projects I've seen in this forum...for sure!  Knew a co-worker years ago that fabbed a homebuilt elevator for his crippled dad to go from first to second floor in their house. Worked great...but a bit scary....a cable winch job with all manual controls with no safety nothin'....and lots of pinch points and crush zones. But his dad was an old mechanic and no idiot and made it work for years without any major injuries.   POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Nice build great job.
Reply:That is very thoughtful and caring of you to share your time, your talents, and tools to help someone else who either cannot help themselves or no one else will.  I cannot imagine how much pleasure and happiness you have brought to his life.  That feeling for you has to be better than any pay.  That kind of kindness will come back to you. Very good job.Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4 BetaTxDoc's Photos Lincoln SP175 PlusLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 250 LX Spool Gun Lincoln Precision Tig 225 Hypertherm 600 KMG 2x72 Belt GrinderBaldor 812RE Grinder
Reply:welderj, You are a very special, thoughful and considerate person.  It was wonderful that you built the lift so Bill could continue on his tractor.  So many people these days only want to know what they can get out of others, not what they can do to help others.  Hats off to you for a job well done!