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[SOLVED] Hello - 4x4 Tipper for light forestry

Discussion in 'Daihatsu Hi jet' started by Jonno, Feb 16, 2021.

  1. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Thanks Jigs! Yeah, I figured it would be useful for clearing overhanging boughs on the tracks and for pollarding some of the trees (felling them at height, to permit regrowth to be out of the way of the deer).

    Plus I wager that there's all sorts of reasons it might come in handy. I'm already thinking of picnics with a view!
     
  2. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    You might want to consider building some ugly bumpers like mine, so you can put outriggers on all four corners. The little ones which fold up over the fenders when stowed, seemed too wimpy for rough terrain.

    So, I made up the ugly bumpers, with receivers at the ends and bought four trailer tongue jacks with receiver mounts to use as the outriggers. It is now pretty easy to get stable on most terrain. Plus, the tongue jacks, have enough length and are strong enough to easily jack all four wheels into the air in the spring and fall to rotate the tires from the studded winter set, to the summer set. And with six reciever points around the truck, I can position my winch to yard things out of the woods pretty easily.
     
    Jonno likes this.
  3. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Limestone, I’m seeing one, the primary lift cylinder and the scissors system frame at full lift.
     
  4. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Thanks Limestone! Yeah, it seems to have some safety supports. I'm not sure if they're standard, but they will probably come in handy on hardstanding if I lift up building materials during maintenance work. 0023.jpg
     
  5. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    That's a great idea.
     
  6. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Those are the stock outriggers that come with the lift/tipper option. If you were on a relatively flat and level pavement, they probably work fine. I just feel a lot more comfortable up in the air on uneven terrain with stronger out riggers which are easier to level up the truck with. I also welded up some 42-inch high side boards with toe rails which slide into the sockets for the bed sides and tailgate. Which makes it OSHA compliant as a work platform.

    I used the cross tube which the factory outriggers slide into as part of the mounting system for my rear bumper. That way all the shear loads from the bumper are directed to a factory hard point, and the bolts and nutserts I added are only resisting the moment around the tube.
     
    Jonno likes this.
  7. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    If you are able I'd sure appreciate seeing what you did.
     
  8. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    I’ll try to take some decent phots tonight after work.
     
    Jonno likes this.
  9. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Yeah, I see now as I took a closer look. I guess my eyes are playing tricks on me, they're definitely not what they used to be! Thanks Jigs!
    Limestone
     
  10. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hi All! Just a little update to say that my scissor lift HiJet is landing on UK shores on the 15th. I need to get it through the MOT, which will mean retro-fitting a rear fog lamp and switch, but then it'll be making an overland expedition to my place in France :)
     
  11. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Be sure to do a full service when it comes off the ship, and definitely check all fluids before you move it very far.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  12. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hi Jigs, thanks. I will do new fluids all round and filter changes is what I plan to do. I need to workout what filters I need, then I'll get them ordered
     
  13. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hope all is well :)
     
  14. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hi again. I'm looking for various servicing parts, which is clearly proving to be quite confusing. I'm seeing a number of different specs for spark plugs, coils, oil filters, oil/lube specs. The model I have is a 1999 'GV-S210P', with an EF engine. As I'm looking to take this on a bit of a hike to France, I'd like to pre-emptively change all this out. I'm not sure my local garage will naturally make the right decisions on parts for this vehicle, so I'd rather get the parts in from Japan or a specialist in the UK.

    If my best bet is to buy the engine overhaul manual off Mr Danko I will of course do that. I'm afraid the section on this site is confusing me rather, with a variety of options that I'm not sure are considered the 'correct' answer!
     
  15. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hi All,
    My HiJet is now with my local mechanic, to get it through the initial UK test. All VERY exciting! I'm getting them to do a full fluids change, take a look at the diff, regrease the lot and new filters. Then I'll drive it around in the UK, before undertaking the epic UK to France road trip. I think I need to start training my butt cheeks and doing some contortionist yoga stretches to prepare the body :-D
     
  16. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    My garage have just done a major service/checkup on the truck and reported that it's in absolutely mint condition :). I'm collecting it tomorrow and after the usual UK registration hoops to jump through, will be ready for its road trip to France! That's 1000+kms (620 miles), and probably the longest trip it's ever undertaken under its own steam :-D
     
  17. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Congratulations. Glad to hear all is well with your adventure.
     
  18. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Thank you! I'll do my best to track progress when I undertake this trip. I've just arrived in France in my car, after a 15 hour journey. I wager my trip in the HiJet will be somewhat of a different experience. But it has a CD player, so we might be ok!
     

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  19. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Hi all,
    I have finally managed to register my HiJet Scissor lift 4x4, and on the two occasions I've taken it out (one time to get her exercised and once to get a new battery) I've had an offer to buy it! I never anticipated how much fun this thing is to drive! I'm actually relatively confident that I won't need a kidney transplant at the end of myu France road trip, as the sit-up driving position is quite comfy, as well as the vehicle offering enough room for my 6'1 frame.

    I need to play around with the tipper and scissor lift mechanism as I've not yet figured out how to operate that system, but I'm stoked at my purchase!
     

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  20. Limestone

    Limestone Well-Known Member

    Jonno,
    Enjoy your unit. The scissor lift,(tipper), is pretty easy to understand, really, and operate.
    Naturally, start by making sure that your on level ground, and the transmission in Neutral, with the emergency brake on,(hence wheels locked)
    even on flat ground things can happen, like a slight roll or unexpected movement.
    Make sure that you ALWAYS check your above clearance! Power lines, tree branches, etc..................can create unwanted problems.
    On my unit, I have a remote control box, on the left side off the unit, which happens to be the same side my steering wheel is on,(very convenient for me in the U.S.)
    My remote has a long enough power cord that I can stand in the bed of the truck, and raise myself up to work on projects, up in the air.
    I can shut the engine off, as to not waste fuel, or even when I worked on my lights in the garage, and had a step ladder in the bed of the truck, for the high bay.
    This way, I didn't have to worry about fumes, inside the garage, as noxious fumes will rise to the ceiling and cause you many a problem!!!
    Make sure that your hydraulic reservoir isn't over filled,(if it's hydraulic).
    If yours is simply electric lift, which works off the engine, you can lift it while it's running, and shut it off, and weather it's hydro, or electric, it will still lower,
    with the engine off. This makes it simple and easy, really. Make sure all your linkage is properly lubes up and working easily, and don't work under your bed while it's raised without,
    a SAFETY BAR!!! A piece of pipe attached to the unit, allows the bed to safely rest on itself while up in the air! VERY IMPORTANT!!!
    I won't go into past posted accidents that I've heard of, because common sense must prevail here. Even when your doing the simplest of tasks,
    If you bed is up, use the SAFETY BAR!!! That's why their called accidents!
    Understand the difference of the lever on the side from scissor lift to dump bed.

    Good Luck!
    Limestone
     
  21. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    That's really helpful! Thanks so much. I think I have the same system as you, with a long cable 'remote' in a stowage box where you described. It's great that I can use it off the battery only, once it's been raised. Very useful indeed - especially for some painting jobs I might have to do on side walls of the house etc.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  22. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Actually, the other question I have is, why do I have two 4x4 buttons? One is to the right of the steering wheel, and one is mounted in the centre. Is one supposed to be diff lock in low, and one a generic 4x4 engagement? One illuminates the light on the dash, but the other doesn't seem to do much (although admittedly I haven't put it in low box to try yet)
     
  23. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Congratulations on getting it licensed.

    On the lift: On, mine and I think on Limestones, the lift is electro-hydraulic, with essentially a starter motor running the hydraulic pump. The cylinder is “single acting”, which just means the pump runs to lift. To lower a valve opens and lets the fluid drain out oof the lift cylinder, and back to the reservoir.

    There is a handle on either side of the bed towards the front, which determines where you are in dump, or lift mode. On mine forward dumps, back lifts. I made up some side panels that are 42-inches high, and fit into the hinge mounts for the stock bedsides, to use when I’m using it as a work platform. Mine is a right hand drive, and has a step right behind the cab, and the box for the “remote” right above it. I put a door into the panel just above the step, to allow acces to the platform when the safety panels are mounted.

    I’ll try to get a short video this morning after breakfast, and post it.
     
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  24. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Thanks Jigs - always great to hear from you and Limestone! Hope you are well. I'm looking forward to putting her to work in the forest and lugging out my logs!
     
    Limestone likes this.
  25. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Re, the two four wheel drive buttons: If it matches mine, the one to the right of the wheel is the rear axle lock, and just like it sounds, it only locks in the rear axle.

    The one to the left of the wheel, is the 4wd button. It locks in the 4wd, which consists locking both axles, and the transfer case. There are pneumatic actuators on booth axles, and the transfer case, and a pair of solenoid actuated valves which control the actuators, in response to the switch position.

    The High/Low lever, mechanically puts the transfer case into the low range, and electrically engages the 4wd, in the same electro-pneumatic, method as the button on the dash.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  26. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Fantastic thanks Jigs! I've just played with the scissor lift and tipper and it's a neat little system. Amazing how much articulation there is. That and the tight turning circle are making it a very useful vehicle for what I need it for. So when I put it in low, it is automatically in 4x4, without the need to activate the buttons?
     
  27. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    Dear All,
    I finally undertook my road trip from the UK to Central France, in the HiJet (called Florence)! I completed the 698 mile journey (1123 km) in 18.5 hours, including a EuroTunnel crossing of about 30 minutes and two fuel/food stops. She averaged 46.5 mpg, loaded with about 80kg of additional load.

    She didn't skip a beat, despite travelling in heat wave weather, and travelling for periods of 4+ hours on the motorways/autoroutes, without a break. I took the precaution whilst standing in traffic, to put the heaters on and help out the radiator, but I really needn't have, as there was little sign of it struggling to cope (presumably Japanese vehicles would be pretty unpopular if they couldn't cope with similar conditions on the summer streets of Tokyo).

    My rear end and lower back started to feel the pain after about 12 hours, but nothing that a good stretch at the rest points couldn't largely resolve. I won't be in a rush to replicate that journey again though!

    I cannot wait to put her to work in the forest, to see if she's up to the task. In the meantime, I'll be looking around for some All Terrain tyres, just to help out on wet grass tracks, and I definitely need to firm-up the front suspension, to stop it bottoming out at the base of slopes. Other than that I'm stoked at how reliable and generally comfortable she has been, even for my tall broad frame!
     
  28. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    Glad to hear from you, and that you made it to France, in good form.

    Pictures just so we know what your upto.
     
  29. Jonno

    Jonno Member

    I'll get some images together once it's put to work. In the meantime here's a shot of her during the trip South. When it first starts off I detect what might be grinding, and I was worried it might be a bearing or something. The hubs don't get hot though, so I'm wondering if I'm just unfamiliar with engine noises coming from right under my seat, or if I should worry.
     

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