I would like to nominate my Forklift that use to be a lawn mower
In the early 90's dad purchased a Howard mower ( similar to a Yazoo) mainly for the 16 hp Kohler K series engine that was rebuilt, hydro refurbished and then mower was taken out of service not long after.
The 16 hp Kohler was for the tractor he made in 1985.
I used the mower for the summer cutting grass then removed engine so it can be mounted on the Golden Stallion ( That's what he named the tractor due to horses on the fuel tank.)
to plow the driveway. Tractor had a Briggs ZZ on it before the Kohler. Jumped approximately 8 to 10 hp
Made big difference in plowing snow.
The next summer dad got thinking of the old mower frame and had me cut it up and scrap most of it. Kept the Sunstrand hydro unit and steering assembly.
The main frame is made out of 3 inch steel channel and 1/4 x 2 steel angle iron. A old air operated shop lift was found in a scrap yard, the mast wasn't what he wanted so just used the carriage and forks from the lift and scrapped the rest. Note we are very paticular in what we send to the scrap yard
The front axle and hydro unit were installed on the front and rear steer just like the howard. Hydro drive unit is factory belt driven off a 12 h.p. cast iron Tecumseh engine. The lift pump is mounted on rear of engine and driven by a lovejoy coupling off the crankshaft.
The mast is constructed out of 2 pcs of 1/4 x 2 steel angle iron due to that channel has tappered sides and need straight sides for the carriage to travel properly. 3 foot cylinder equals 6 foot lift, 1000 lbs capacity
A foot peddle was made to control direction of travel.
The tilt is operated by the handel on the left that connects to a valvebody beside the hydro unit
The lift is controled by a valvle body that is mounted just infront of the operators seat.
The front tires are old military surplus and still the orginal rear tire from the Howard on the rear.
Fenders are generic.
The reason the forklft was buit is that dad's hobby is old gas, steam and stirling cycle engines. I also collect them and get to store them with his collection. I live about a 15 - 20 min drive away and can usually be found there on weekends tinkering. I have my good Massey with 3pt hitch there and the other here in town to snowblow the driveway.
When you get into hit and miss engines a little 1 1/2 hp engine weighs around 150 to 200 lbs when restored and mounted for display. The biggest engine he has is 3 1/2 hp and weighs in around 750 to 900 lbs.
I can not move that engine too far or lift it since the operator is also part of the counterbalance ( i'm 150lbs ) (dad dosent have that issue since he is bigger than i about 220 lbs) which helps that it is almost impossible to overload the forks.
Here is a action pic