Cub Cadet Forklift Build, EP:12 Hydro Speed Control Setup

Hydrostatic transmission controls are completed in the frame, steering shaft is shortened.

Using parts from vintage Cub Cadet garden tractors, along with metal fabrication and welding work, we are building a rough terrain forklift.

I use a Langmuir Systems Crossfire Pro plasma table with a Razorcut 45CNC plasma cutter and a machine torch to create many needed parts. At times we shift to the Bridgeport-clone knee/vertical mill or South Bend 10 inch lathe to complete a machining step. Occasionally, the South Bend shaper or the Logan lathe is called on for specialty work.

A Hobart Handler welder is my primary MIG welder, and it comes into play at nearly every step. If I'm not running the welder, an Oxy/Acetylene torch or the Eastwood Cut 40 plasma cutter is fired up for some molten metal removal.

Dewalt and Makita grinders and drills, eVolution metal cutting saws, a Grizzly metal cutting band saw and Jet grinders and sanders see regular use in my projects.

Making a forklift will add to the collection of equipment that I have previously built, including the mini-motor grader, mini-dozer and tandem axle Cub Cadet dump truck/gator.

[firechief]

Somebody beat me to it. I know it's a petty little thing, but I'm kind of OCD. The wheels need to be swapped from side to side for the tread to be in the right direction. I think about this every week. LOL. I very much enjoy watching you work on these tractors. Keep up the great job you do!

[wayneheigl]

frank you are the man, i love your work. every thing you do is just beautiful and so cool. i want them all. the one thing i love more then any thing on your videos is the two sweet dogs with you. any one that loves his dogs like you do shows you are a good loving man. god bless you all and may they live forever with you.

[johnlenoir]

I'm a lot of work went into that I didn't realize there was that many moving mechanisms on that transmission like that love the video keep us going please

[garymucher]

Once again I see your two "viscous" dogs come in to try and tear you apart... lol Seems they have to get some loving every few minutes or so. Like your design as you go builds. Nothing wrong with that idea. It is how I do most of my projects as well... Thumbs Up!

[bob]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Frank

[joethanks]

Thanks for the great video
Happy Thanksgiving
👍👍👍

[lorenmeyer]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Enjoyed watching Frank!

[derrillbalshaw]

Frank when drilling large diameter holes, try piloting them with 1/4in drill first on high speed then go through with the large diameter drill on a lower speed. You will find the larger diameter drill will drill better without vibrating. The larger the drill the slower speed you use.

[keiththacker]

Great Video Frank, I always enjoy watching you work on these projects! Thank you for bringing us along!

[ablelock]

Real nice video Frank I enjoy your work happy Thanksgiving and look forward to see you in the next video

[mrlguy]

As always I've enjoyed your video.

[rickarndt]

Yes I agree these are directional tires and the forklifts direction of travel is forks first if had go any distance your not to go backwards the whole way.

[stevecroy]

Don't forget to switch the wheels from side to side so they turn in the correct direction.

[bruceknight]

Happy Thanksgiving Frank. I posted pics of a wheelbearing assembly to tow a cub hydro on "only Cub Cadets" "homemade"/ towing a cub hydro. If you already have it then please ignore.

[jeffreysiler]

My dad has a at his house I used it last night 🎉🎉🎉

[chuckmayerchak]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. The build is coming along nicely. You do some very nice work.
I think if I were doing yhe build I may have gone with a foot operated hydrostatic drive, that would free up your hands for steering and fork operation. Just a thought. One could easily set up a rocking pedal for forward and reverse like Bolans used back in the early years.

[skip]

Been following this build & I like the use of the cable for the hydrostatic control.
Can you reveal where you obtained that push/pull cable?
Thanks

[Farm_fab]

Frank, your dogs look so mean that they would lick someone to death. 😁

[vindivergilio]

Great progress. Question...what is that white 'fan blade's on the driveshaft (?) For?

[trialnterror]

How do you like your Hobart 210 now that you’ve been running it for awhile?