Boom Pole Build

[BayouMan]

With the weather starting to get nicer, I just had to start getting into my shop and do something. I am going to build a boom pole to fit on my pallet forks. I have sketched up a design and am open for suggestions on doing this properly.

To give you some background, I have a JD-2640 with a Bush Hog loader. I am basing my design on a friend of mines boom pole.

My very rough sketch:



My friend's boom pole:



The next two pictures show cutting the 2" x 3" x 1/4" box tubing and the various pieces I have already cut out for brackets, to pin the boom to my fork frame, visible in one picture.

What do you think?

Mike

 

[beenthere]

I'm thinking I'd like one too.
Looks great.
and am envious of your shop.

 

[BayouMan]

Beenthere,
Thanks for the compliment. I really enjoy my man cave. I was fortunate to be able to build it before I retired and it gets used almost daily.

One question I have about the boom pole, is do I need to use some sort of stiffeners on the two sides of the pole? If you are lifting something and happen to be on an incline, the weight would tend to pull to that side. May be a moot point, since I don't think I could lift anything over 500 lbs out at the tip.

I will post additional pictures as I make progress. I did finish drilling 8 ea holes, 1" diameter, using a hole saw on my drill press. These were the pieces that will enable me to pin the end of the boom to my fork carriage and the two lift point tabs. I had read that on TBN and boy does it work well!

Mike

 

[Brad_Blazer]

Nice design.

I doubt you'd be tempted to use it on more than a 10degree incline. Your 2x3x1/4 tubing should be plenty stout.

 

[Damifino]

"One question I have about the boom pole, is do I need to use some sort of stiffeners on the two sides of the pole? If you are lifting something and happen to be on an incline, the weight would tend to pull to that side. May be a moot point, since I don't think I could lift anything over 500 lbs out at the tip."

I would think the forks going through bottom will give you all the lateral support you need.
I built a boom pole for my fil and supported it with a 2" piece of angle that rest on the bottom lip of bucket.
I thought I would need to anchor for the same reason, so far have not needed to and have had 600 lbs swinging on end of boom with no problems whatsoever.

That will be a nice setup your building.

 

[Runner]

BayouMan,

That looks like it should handle just about anything you could hang on it. I agree with the others, lateral stability looks fine as-is.

You might consider building in a little upward angle on the pole just in case you can't curl the forks enough to raise it as high as you might want. I think I built in about a 10 degree upward angle on mine.

Best of luck on the project.

 

[beenthere]

Beenthere,
................One question I have about the boom pole, is do I need to use some sort of stiffeners on the two sides of the pole? If you are lifting something and happen to be on an incline, the weight would tend to pull to that side. May be a moot point, since I don't think I could lift anything over 500 lbs out at the tip.
.................Mike

I too think the stability of the boom pole is fine....but stability of the tractor will be of more concern. Keeping the uphill side rear wheel on the ground will take some good counterweight and awareness. But am sure you already have that figured into the equation.

 

[dex3361]

i made a SSQA by 3PH adapter so that I could use my boom pole on the front or back. I will differ from the other opinions here and say that you should put bracing on the pole. I will not pretend to be an expert on the subject
(though I have stayed at a Holiday Inn) but most look similar for a reason and with a lifting device it pays to err on the side of caution. I am probably over thinking but I would put 2 forward angled pieces instead of 1 and tie them in to the base of the other angled braces. Here is a pic of the one I have cobbled together.

 

[jbooth]

I will start this with the statement that I don't have a tractor so my remarks are based on winch truck experience. It appears the old gin pole/A pole used on winch trucks would be a natural for three pont booms or front mounted poles.
All that would be needed is an A frame mounted on the bottom links/attachment point and a stiff leg or just a chain from the top mount. By using chain/chains as the upper stiff leg the angle of the pole can be changed readily. If chains are used as the upper stiff leg a safety device would be required to prevent the A pole from coming back to far and endangering the operator or equipment. Those safety devices should have been required on winch trucks also but were left off in most cases. I am going to butt out now as I don't really don't have any dogs in this hunt. I do intend to build a lifting device for the front of my skid loader as soon as time and funds allow.

 

[Jerry/MT]

With the weather starting to get nicer, I just had to start getting into my shop and do something. I am going to build a boom pole to fit on my pallet forks. I have sketched up a design and am open for suggestions on doing this properly.

To give you some background, I have a JD-2640 with a Bush Hog loader. I am basing my design on a friend of mines boom pole.

My very rough sketch:

View attachment 159682

My friend's boom pole:

View attachment 159683

The next two pictures show cutting the 2" x 3" x 1/4" box tubing and the various pieces I have already cut out for brackets, to pin the boom to my fork frame, visible in one picture.

What do you think?

Mike

I don't understand the purpose of the two angled supports that come up from the where the lift arms attach. I think they are redundant. I also think you should consider having an angle on the pole so that when the boom support is verticle the pole is at an angle to the horizontal by about 30 degrees.

 

[kenmac]

I see you are using sq. tubing. I just built 1 out of 1 1/2 '' round pipe I had .Mine has the side braces like the 1 in post #8 It works great ! Should have built it a long time ago

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Jbooth, even though you are a skidsteer person, your observation is certainly interesting to me. I see many advantages in the versatility of your design and it is simple to make.

Couple of questions: Would you recommend using a chain as the cross piece of the A frame, and what would you use to thread or attach the chain to the top or point of the A frame? Just a hook would be bothersome to me. Maybe a clevis to thread the chain through and then have long bolts through the chain on both sides of the clevis as stops?

 

[jbooth]

I would use a solid hook-up of some type so it was secure. Probably shackles. (clevis to us farm raised guys) Most chains never were secure on the winch trucks. Chains were ran through loops and hooked back into the chains for infinite angle adjustment The A poles might be a better fit on a front loader, but with some inovation with the lift point would work OK on the back to. All the lift will be in compression with the exception of the chains so it will be much stonger for a given weight of material. The only reason I am suggesting solid hook-up for the chains-- I've got old and am no longer bullet proof.

 

[jbooth]

Not sure I addressed your questions properly, so will add a little more. Most poles were very simple with just a straight pipe with a plate and pin fixture on the bottom. The top portion of the poles just had an eye on each for the chain to be attached. The very top section just slid in the pipes with an arrangements for the cable sheave to be added. I think you would definitely want some kind of restraint on the bottom to keep from spreading your 3 point arms. One could make this as simple or as elaborate as you want including adding a winch. If a winch is added a snatch block wil be required at the base of the poles. Please be careful with anything I might suggest as it has been a lot of years since I worked in the oilfield and may have left out some important detail. Don't think so as simplicity is the beauty of A poles.

 

[jbooth]

I posted another blurb, but it is out in cyberspace somewhere. I reread your questions and need to elaborate a bit more. Yes, you definitely would need a chain or cross bar across the bottom on a 3 point set up to keep from spreading and/or bending the lower arms of a 3 point. phantom 309 has a picture he posted of an front mounted A frame. 309's set up looks good and very useful. A poles can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make them. Just 2 pieces of pipe with a plate and pin for the bottoms. Eyes/loops at the top for chain attatchment. A peice to slide in the pipe at the top and you are done. Beauty of the simple method is it will break down into a compact package. Be careful with anything I suggest as I am getting old and acussed of being senile.

sure glad this is a paperles environment or I would have killed another tree. I see my other post has returned from cyber space.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Thanks. I will try out your idea.

Just guessing, how long do you think the poles should be to use on the 3point? Maybe 10 feet?

 

[BayouMan]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the input. I still have a concern as to whether or not to put some kind of lateral bracing on the pole.
My forks will just exceed verticle when I raise the forks up as high as they will go and have the curl sucked all the way in, I had planned on just making the boom pole parrarel (spelling) to the forks. I don't have a problem making the boom pole be more of an angle upward, but is it necessary?

I have been gone on a camping trip this weekend and will post pictures of what I have gotten done, prior to leaving. I have drilled all of the holes necessary and now need to cuut into the backrest of the carriage, to allow for a hook up point for the boom. I have not cut the support legs yet and am open to comments on maintaining the poel level with the forks or raising the pole up.

I love this sight and all the ideas that are generated.

Mike

 

[BayouMan]

Jerry/MT
I will take a picture tomorrow of the position that my forks are in at full up position and full curl back. I think you will see where I am coming from.

Let me know what you think after I post the pictures.

Mike

 

[BayouMan]

Didn't get to take pictures of the forks in the raised position and full curl. Ended up cutting out the slot, on the fork lift frame, to be able to pin the boom pole to the backrest, this evening.



Still have to weld the angle iron clips in place, just behind the backrest, to accept the boom pole. The other three pictures show the set-up I used to drill the 1" holes and the other two show the finished product.

 

[BayouMan]

OK guys,
Not getting many responses lately. I have been welding on the boom portion as of today. I completed the connection to the fork frame, for the main boom section and the two lift points on the boom.

My next big decision is how to brace and support the boom on the forks. I am already venturing away from my sketch.

My question is, should I put the bottom supports all the way back to the bend in the forks, or should I go out about 18 - 24"s? Also how much bracing should I do for lateral movement on the boom? Any input is very much appreciated at this point. I will post pictures of progress later tomorrow.

Mike