Idea for longer lifting boom for lighter loads

[catsco]

This afternoon I had an idea for a no-weld longer lifting boom for my PT425 without too much fabrication work or buying another attachment plate.

(BTW, this is my 2nd idea this year, and it's only June! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif)

What do you think about making a 2'-4' or so long 2" dia. tube boom that could bolt onto the mini-hoe bucket or use linch pin fasteners?

Or bolt on in place of the bucket using the existing bolts?

I'm finding that the PT can easily lift the really heavy things with the bucket, and lighter things with the mini-hoe.

Informal testing shows that the mini-hoe can easily lift about 250 lbs while extended without excessive PT pucker when you are turned less than 10 degrees left or right.

This testing was done by lifting 70 lbs with the mini-hoe and then adding my weight (without doing anything too foolish - sorry I don't have pics, but couldn't operate the camera while in mid-pullup on the bucket).

SO - adding another 4 feet would mean that the weight capactity would be about 125 lbs, or a little more depending upon what you're trying to lift.

That's not much weight, but while working on building our house and some other projects, I'm growing weary of gett 100 lb. stuff 12 or 13 feet up in the air (the mini-hoe reaches to about 10 feet.

Might also be a good device for removing dead limbs from Douglas Firs with an electric or hydraulic pruning saw, or just knocking them off with the boom. Sort of a long ax handle, the usual tool for doing this.

The whole thing would fold up for tramming by curling the bucket with the bolt-on addition.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Mark H.

PS - I'm posting this here rather than in attachments since the PT mini-hoe is quite different than other BH's.

 

[BobRip]

"What do you think about making a 2'-4' or so long 2" dia. tube boom that could bolt onto the mini-hoe bucket or use linch pin fasteners?"

I like the concept. Minimal material. When shingling a shed, I find that I am getting a little old to carry a bundle of shingles up the ladder. Please expand your concept. We need a way to easily and quickly attach it to the mini-hoe.

Bob Rip

 

[bbabineau]

Interesting thought. I am still in the process of research to decide on a tractor, The PT is still at the top of the list based on the many things that it can do. One of the attachments I had considered was the boom but I delayed that decision until I could better inspect a mini hoe with the thought that it could provide even higher reach with a jib attachment than the boom could provide on its own. It may not have the capacity of the boom but my needs would be in the 200 lb or less range for unloading and locating timbers on a small bridge.
Interesting post - I will watch for your further research and to see if others have done any R&D.