46 Clark Forklift

[sammyg]

With my production welding ramping up a little, it was time to get something to save my back. I had been using my Ford 8n with a boom pole for heavy lifting but it was very fatiguing. It required everything to be rigged, which meant off and on the tractor all day. Not only that, but everything would be swinging. Not what I wanted to do moving 400+ Pound parts.
I went looking for a front end loader and found this 1946 Clark Clipper. As a lover of vintage machinery, it's right up my alley.
It was a nightmare getting it on my gooseneck.
It runs great, but had bad tires and blow by in the ram. The brakes didn't work, battery was junk, and was wired in places using wire from Lowe's.

[sammyg]

First up was a new battery. The original 6v battery was located in the counter weight. The PO put a new old battery on the counter weight by the radiator. I had strapped it down for the drive, totally not needed. The battery was held on by its stiff house wire.
I went ahead and got an optima for it, built a box and attached it to the counter weight. Not ideal but easily hooked up to the charger now.

[sammyg]

Next up was tires. EBay to the rescue! Found a shop locally to press them.

[billybob_81067]

Nice. Forklifts are very handy! We picked up a Cat v40D here last year and I use that damn thing all the time now! We already had several loaders and tractors with loaders, but the forklift is just so much easier to hop on and off and rig things to lift them.

[arse_sidewards]

When you get a bigger forklift the mast from the Clark will fit the Ford nicely.

[GLTHFJ60]

Neat machine! Fix up the wiring yet?

[jhama78]

Neat little forklift, subbed for updates.

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

Neat machine! Fix up the wiring yet?

Removed all of the solid stand, the rest is in good shape and the generator is charging.
Added some old 6v tractor lights to the mast since I'm seemingly going blind. Re wired the horn button as well.

[sammyg]

Now for the bigger issue. The cylinder leaks and won't lift much aside from itself. Called a local hydraulic shop who was as rude as could be and was shouting about it being a 3 stage cylinder and $3k to fix it, and that he was tired of everyone and their brother calling.
So... Brimstone to the rescue. He's helping me from across the country fix it.
Also the shop here in Ogden is dumb. Its a single stage.

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by jhama78

Neat little forklift, subbed for updates.

Dude its so rad. Might be a money pit but I'm a glutton for that.

[billybob_81067]

Take that cylinder apart and see what all needs replacing. Then take some measurements and order the seals/backup rings you need from this place.

The O-Ring Store LLC, We make getting O-Rings easy!

[rockota]

Too bad you’re not in TN. There’s a place in Chattanooga that rebuilds cylinders for Uber cheep. And they pickup and deliver. They did two of the lift cylinders on my bobcat and did a great job.

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by rockota

Too bad you’re not in TN. There’s a place in Chattanooga that rebuilds cylinders for Uber cheep. And they pickup and deliver. They did two of the lift cylinders on my bobcat and did a great job.

Yeah, that's.... Too... Bad....

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by billybob_81067

Take that cylinder apart and see what all needs replacing. Then take some measurements and order the seals/backup rings you need from this place.

The O-Ring Store LLC, We make getting O-Rings easy!

Good to know, thanks!

[sammyg]

Brimstone came through with good and bad news. Good news, it's actually not a 1946. Its a 1943. And I may have won the "longest running lift truck" award. Decent news, it's not a 3 stage ram. Bad news, the parts are still listed but no longer available. So, off to measure everything and get leather cups and packing.

The PO also had changed to ATF in the hydraulic system. No idea why. Its viscosity is thinner and has detergents instead of regular oil. The mityvac has proved invaluable during all fluid swaps. I did an oil change through the dip stick and now this. I've flushed the system with motor oil and will likely do 2 hydraulic fluid swaps on it tomorrow just to clear everything before rebuilding the ram.

[nate379]

What does it have for an engine?

I can't imagine with those tires you'll be going off the pavement? Been using a Hyster with solid tires (about double in size of those though) and it doesn't take much to get it stuck on dirt.

I bought a 5000lb Yale forklift last week, unknown vintage, guessing 60s. It has a 6 cylinder flathead, I think a Continental.

Was gasoline, but got converted to propane at some point. 6 volt, but was switched over to 12v.

I need to fix a few things, pretty much similar issues you have as well.

Has a big 3 stage cylinder, which is leaking a bit. I'm just going to run it and hopefully it doesn't get too bad. The hydraulic shop quoted me about what I paid for the forklift to rebuild it, so it'd be a DIY job for sure.

[DirtyComanche]

Cool projected. Sub'd for updates.

[rockota]

Originally Posted by sammyg

Yeah, that's.... Too... Bad....

[sammyg]

Thanks to the internet I was able to track down a "close enough" owners manual and parts book. I was also able to find the extinct parts.

[sammyg]

Well, in the on going saga of this old lift, the seals are for the newer style cylinder. So... Back to the beginning. I contacted the o ring store above and they should be able to get me the correct chevron style packing.
The bore is slightly rusty and pitted but only at the top where the dead head bump stop is located, the seals shouldn't contact that area I don't think. I'll measure when putting it back together, likely hone it a little just in that area, and if its bad enough I'll just make a longer bump. Where there's a will there's a way right?
When I disassembled there was a LOT of fluid on top of the piston. I'm guessing that's not supposed to be the case
By the way. These things make a huge mess when pulling them apart

[Azzy2000]

Cool project!

I love that it is that old and still putt putting along

[sammyg]

Re assembled the ram, stripped and painted it, re installed, which was dang near a pain... Fueled it up again, got it running, had high hopes at first. It lifted the first 4 inches right off idle and that was it, then back to the same old thing having to throttle it up to get it to move, but this time, the shaft was staying dry. It still won't lift much more than it's own mast.
So, now I'm not sure where to go from here. Maybe the pump is going bad? Maybe one of the lines is clogged? It doesn't seem to have a filter anywhere.

[billybob_81067]

Originally Posted by sammyg

Re assembled the ram, stripped and painted it, re installed, which was dang near a pain... Fueled it up again, got it running, had high hopes at first. It lifted the first 4 inches right off idle and that was it, then back to the same old thing having to throttle it up to get it to move, but this time, the shaft was staying dry. It still won't lift much more than it's own mast.
So, now I'm not sure where to go from here. Maybe the pump is going bad? Maybe one of the lines is clogged? It doesn't seem to have a filter anywhere.

I'd bet pump is getting weak. Any way you can throw a gauge on it to pressure test it?

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by billybob_81067

I'd bet pump is getting weak. Any way you can throw a gauge on it to pressure test it?

That's kind of my next step, honestly I have no idea what sort of gauge to even go with, or what kind or pressures it should be running at. I have a friend who is a forklift mechanic who said he'll swing by this weekend and take a look at it. My concern is if it is the pump, can I retrofit something else in it's place?

[billybob_81067]

Originally Posted by sammyg

That's kind of my next step, honestly I have no idea what sort of gauge to even go with, or what kind or pressures it should be running at. I have a friend who is a forklift mechanic who said he'll swing by this weekend and take a look at it. My concern is if it is the pump, can I retrofit something else in it's place?

Most hydraulic systems run around 3000 psi. I'd usually throw a 5000psi oil filled gauge on and try that first.

If it is shot I'm sure you could either find parts for it or retrofit something else in its place. Might be a pain in the ass or pretty simple depending on how it is mounted and driven. Just try and get something that moves similar volume if you do go the retrofit route. Do you happen to have a pic of the pump and where it is mounted?