An older thread but it was so "on-topic" that I thought I would restart it rather than create a new one.
I am looking for a boom pole for a few uses and can't seem to buy a good fit (and price) so I'm looking to design one and then get a local welder to make it.
I have the regular uses for moving equipment, loading/unloading out of the truck box, and the occasional assistance in a building project. These seem to be well served with the regular 3 point boom poles one sees advertised and sold at dealers. At times I will want good height, so moving it to the FEL makes sense and with a SSQA -> 3PH adapter seems possible - and still without any fabbing. But once I starting thinking about having one, new uses come to mind.
I have 3 submersible pumps that I drop into my pond and canal every spring and pull-out every winter (and sometime mid-season if there are issues). I have always man-handled them but they are heavy, awkward and the water's cold early in the spring! Which is why it's a job that I postpone until I
have to do it - which is frequently a bad approach. A boom that can reach 10-12 feet and mounted on the FEL should do this easily. But that size would probably get in the way of the other jobs, so a telescoping boom would seem ideal.
The only one I could track down through my local dealer was the HLA boom, which Zebrafive picked up, and it was special order so it would be a blind order.
The tube the inner section slides into is 3 1/2" square tubing 3/16" or .180 wall.
I found on the Horst website; total weight 320 lbs, capacity collapsed 3000 lbs, extend 1500 lbs.
You got a great deal - I was quoted over $1400 to buy that unit! I'm glad I finally got to see a real pic - it's more than the dealer could give me. It's more capacity than I need, more money than I hope to spend and I'd like to be able to use it with the strength of the 3PH at times.
So my questions:
1. AmericanTractorDrive - did you build your boom? Did you model it after the Horst boom?
2. Telescoping - any more examples of this? Would 2"X2" hitch style steel or the larger receiver steel provide enough strength for the telescoping portion - say a 6 foot extension (he asks knowing nothing about metalworking and steel)?
3. If it's telescoping then it would have an accessible square tube at the end, I am thinking that I could have different "ends" to plug in for the situation - kinda like the "bucket buddy" - anyone have examples - good or bad?
4. To get a straight vertical lift/drop, I am thinking a hoist/winch is necessary - I've seen a couple of mentions of a boom/winch combo but I haven't found any good pics on how the winch or pulleys were mounted. Suggestions?
5. Am I making this too complicated?
