Toyota forklift 42-3FGC20

CBBC · Feb 1, 2019

I'm looking at an old Toyota Forklift to have as a smaller, more maneuverable unit as a back up to my old Clark dually.

The Model # is above in the subject line. It's the right size and lift capacity for what I want, and the price is ok, but it has solid tires. That would be fine if was running it on a concret floor all the time, but I need it to run around the yard. It would end up being stuck or spinning more than driving.

Has anyone tried to change the wheels to pneumatic tires and rims on a forklift, or are they designed only to run the hard tires?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks, Grant

sjh · Feb 1, 2019

Some hard tires come with tread on them. It depends on the tire size.

Steve@Advance · Feb 1, 2019

They really are designed only for flat hard surfaces.

You can add treaded pneumatic tires, but raising the ground height may cause problems with the forks not reaching the ground. Also consider the tire clearance under the body and interference with the steering.

Even with off pavement tires, you still have the counter weight wanting to sink the steering wheels while the drive wheels don't have enough weight with no load.

One more problem is limited pivot of the steering axle. With all the weight over the steering wheels, any unlevel surface tends to lift one driving wheel, stopping all traction.

If your yard is hard pack and level, it might work on a limited basis, but...

MSM · Feb 1, 2019

I had the same problem with a 4000# Cat.It would sink the rear tires as soon as I got off the concrete. There was not enough clearance to install pneumatic drive tires, and very limited space to go to a larger steering tire so the rear end wouldn't sink. I ended up selling the hard tire, and bought a 6000# with pneumatic duals and larger rear air tires. Even then I still have to pick and choose where I go if the lot is wet or soft,but it is 100 times better than the hard tire.

jm. · Feb 1, 2019

If a man could solve that problem he could be an instant millionaire, those hard tire machines are made for hard surfaces and as the others have posted very limited on gravel. Don't know how many times I have went and gave one a shove around the dealership. We have two large lifts and one like you describe, one of the boys is always grabbing that one to go get a set of tires or something right close to the building but most times ends up having to have help. And yes I did find some tires with notches but that back counter weight and tires just seem to go down.

t1 · Feb 1, 2019

Check with a Toyota forkift dealer, or if not available, someone who works on industrial lifts in your area. Some manufacturers offer different tire options. I know hyster / Yale offer solid cushion tires, or pneumatic air tires as options on some of there machines. The pneumatic tires are very thick heavy tires with tubes. A regular tire wouldn't take the weight. I don't know if toyota offers them or not.

But, keep in mind, once you get off hard ground, these machines are heavy, they sink like lead on soft ground. Also, Articulation isn't the greatest due to trying to maintain stability. Should be a data tag on it that contains info about its weight and other important info.

marloweg · Feb 1, 2019

i put duels on all 4 and drive tires had real good lugs got around real good just don't turn the steer tires real sharp

gene bender · Feb 1, 2019

BTDT those fork trucks are just not made for gravel ect keep on cement or just get stuck

CBBC · Feb 1, 2019

Thanks everyone... I think I will pass on this deal. My yards are packed pretty good, but still some uneaven surfaces. Even my dually Clark can get hung up and if there is no weight on the front steering can be a bear.

I will check with one of the lift truck places just to see what they say but the more I look there is very little clearance for a pneumatic tire.

I actually had an even older pneumatic tired Toyota at one point. It ran rough... and seldom was used once I got the bigger dually. I traded it off for some carpentry work. But of course now I wish I had it, there are many times it's nice to have an extra forklift. The guy I traded it to did need to spend a bit of money to get it reliable...and I needed the work done so fair is fair.
I'll keep looking.
Thanks for your thoughts. Grant

oldsarge · Feb 1, 2019

Tracks conversion???????????

Toyota forklift 42-3FGC20

CBBC

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Steve@Advance

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MSM

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jm.

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t1

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marloweg

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gene bender

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CBBC

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oldsarge

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