Built my boom pole today

[RonMar]

At 7 ft I would like to know what that tractor could lift? 400-500# ???

The boom looks to be a little longer than the distance from bucket arm pivot to bucket pin. Double the distance from pivot to load, half the load capacity. If that loader can lift 1000#, the boom limit will probably be close to 500#...

 

[JB4310]

This makes me wonder, which is stronger a 2x2 square tube or a 2 inch pipe.
I'm sure the answer is well known but I don't know it. I'm guessing round since most are made with pipe. I know round/arch construction is wicked strong but the square tube has flat stock on the sides which seem like it would be pretty tuff as well.

I'm talking about being used as a boom pole, no other supports.

JB.

 

[LD1]

This makes me wonder, which is stronger a 2x2 square tube or a 2 inch pipe.
I'm sure the answer is well known but I don't know it. I'm guessing round since most are made with pipe. I know round/arch construction is wicked strong but the square tube has flat stock on the sides which seem like it would be pretty tuff as well.

I'm talking about being used as a boom pole, no other supports.

JB.

It depends on what you mean by "stronger"

IF they are the same wall thickness,

The square tube will be stronger for directional loads.

The round pipe is stronger for torsional loads

 

[JB4310]

I mean lifting load, as a boom pole would be used.

JB

 

[RonMar]

Pound for pound, the round is stronger. Size for size 2" dia vs 2" sq, the square is stronger but weighs considerably more. Square tube resists bending better, which is why you don't see many round beams I suppose. But since shear is the force your design is trying to avoid, round tube is probably the more efficient design material...

 

[Short Game]

So, get a round tube of equal wall thickness big enough to weigh what the square tube does per unit of reach. The square tube will be stronger when the load allignment is square with the beam. That's pound for pound. A rectangular tube beam would be better yet. Even an "I" beam ain't bad. Pound for pound, round tubing will bend first. It will distort and collapse long before the others, IMHO. And where's an excessive shear force? I see tension and compression in this application.

Look at your tractor's loader. It's going to be rectangular tubes with their strong axes in line with their lift load. There is a round tube spreader. The round tube's only job is to resist compression in line with the tube.

 

[Shield Arc]

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen, and the vote of confidence!:thumbsup:

Short Game if I gave you my shop, I wouldn't have a place to play.

The weld volume was brought up on another tractor site. I'm fairly secure with my welding abilities, been welding for almost two whole weeks now, but I added the gussets on the top cord to the box tube only, just to make sure. I don't have any pictures of the boom completed, and painted. Only plan on using it for the chain harrow, and maybe setting trusses if I build another small out building. The boom works fantastic with the chain harrow, I can push or drag it. Works great for dragging the chain harrow under tree limbs, to get real close to the trunk of the tree.

 

[RPW]

Well kinda looks like eveyone is showing off their boom poles so here's mine. 8ft and slides onto my bale spear. BTW the walls of my barn are 14ft. high and it's a 30ft span.

 

[streetisneat]

Very interesting subject. Why hasn't anyone added a 2" receiver to the boom pole to use all of the "neat" hooks, balls and toys available to make it even more useful. :thumbsup:Just ask in'

 

[bcp]

I've been collecting homemade boom pole photos for a while, mostly from TBN. Many have a receiver on the end. Might even make one someday.

Bruce