Need ideas for adapting boom pole to FEL/pallet forks

[rbstern]

Planning on building a pole barn this year, anticipate needing to do some high lift of beams and rafters. The lift is going to be higher than my FEL can reach.

I have a LMC Cat 1 boom pole I rarely use. I was thinking about attaching it either to my SSQA pallet fork frame, or to my FEL bucket. My pallet fork setup is Titan's budget/non-adjustable forks. Pic:



Boom pole looks like this:



Thinking I could make some type of fixture that would replace the forks, sliding in from the top of the fork receivers, maybe using the same pins. And mount the boom pole to whatever that fixture is. Use heavy chain or some type of drilled flat stock for the top link attachment.

A slightly more expensive option would be to buy a blank Titan SSQA plate and weld the boom pole to the plate. Practial, still cheap, but I dislike losing flexibility (rear lift use of the boom pole) even though I rarely use it.

A still more expensive but more versatile option would be mounting something like Pat's quick hitch arms or a HF quick hitch to the front of the pallet fork frame.

And, of course, more expensive still, I could also just by a Cat 1 adapter for my FEL.

Interested in thoughts and experiences.

 

[Jw5875]

Well before you mount that pole and start lifting,
Consider the weight, height and angle.
Serious consideration is to be given for some ballast
on the rear.
Beside building the adapter, consider some
additional cleaning for the underwear!!!!!!!!!!
Here's what I made from an old quick hitch
to put my blade on the front for snow plowing.

JW5875

"My guns and wife are both loud,
However my guns don't make my ears ring"

 

[rbstern]

Well before you mount that pole and start lifting,
Consider the weight, height and angle.
Serious consideration is to be given for some ballast
on the rear.
Beside building the adapter, consider some
additional cleaning for the underwear!!!!!!!!!!
Here's what I made from an old quick hitch
to put my blade on the front for snow plowing.

Very nice!

Regarding weight and balance: I expect to be lifting light loads (single pieces of dimensional lumber will be the main lifting). 99% of the time, I have a subframe mounted backhoe as my counter weight.

I find, as I get older, my spidey-sense of machine-induced danger gets sharper. I think of dicey things I did 10 years ago, and my next thought is, "no way I would do that now."

 

[fried1765]

Planning on building a pole barn this year, anticipate needing to do some high lift of beams and rafters. The lift is going to be higher than my FEL can reach.

I have a LMC Cat 1 boom pole I rarely use. I was thinking about attaching it either to my SSQA pallet fork frame, or to my FEL bucket. My pallet fork setup is Titan's budget/non-adjustable forks. Pic:

View attachment 683857

Boom pole looks like this:

View attachment 683858

Thinking I could make some type of fixture that would replace the forks, sliding in from the top of the fork receivers, maybe using the same pins. And mount the boom pole to whatever that fixture is. Use heavy chain or some type of drilled flat stock for the top link attachment.

A slightly more expensive option would be to buy a blank Titan SSQA plate and weld the boom pole to the plate. Practial, still cheap, but I dislike losing flexibility (rear lift use of the boom pole) even though I rarely use it.

A still more expensive but more versatile option would be mounting something like Pat's quick hitch arms or a HF quick hitch to the front of the pallet fork frame.

And, of course, more expensive still, I could also just by a Cat 1 adapter for my FEL.

Interested in thoughts and experiences.

That lightly fabricated boom pole will definitely not safely lift very much weight at it's tip.

 

[jmc]

A lot of options, depending on your tools, available materials, and budget.

I would avoid using a chain for the top link in case you were ever stretched out to near vertical it could come back on you. I think aftermarket top links are inexpensive and the adjustment might be handy sometimes.

The inserts you mentioned that slide in from the top might be a good way to adapt that Speedco type 3PH frame into your pallet fork frame and still be removable.

 

[rbstern]

That lightly fabricated boom pole will definitely not safely lift very much weight at it's tip.

Correct. It's rated for 500lbs at the end-ring. For this application, I don't anticipate lifting anythng that weighs more than 200lbs.

 

[Xfaxman]

Planning on building a pole barn this year, anticipate needing to do some high lift of beams and rafters. The lift is going to be higher than my FEL can reach.

--------------------------------------------

And, of course, more expensive still, I could also just by a Cat 1 adapter for my FEL.

Interested in thoughts and experiences.

This gets my vote because you can use other 3 point implements on it. Would be very handy with a landscape rake.

I have one with extra rollback built in, that gets a lot of use:

 

[Diggin It]

How high is your peak/ridge planned for?


When I did mine over the last couple of years, I made sure it wouldn't be beyond a height I could reach by ladder or scaffold. Ended up being around 13' with 8' walls as i remember. From there, I was able to hoist rafters into place using a rope and pulley setup (not quite a block and tackle). I'd set one end on the wall top, then go up the ladder or scaffold, pull the ridge end into place, tie it off, then fasten/secure.

 

[user.69169]

You considered talkin to a life insurance agent who can also sell you disability coverage?

 

[Smokeydog]

Forklift Telescoping Jib Boom Crane, 4000 Lb. Capacity Amazon.com: Forklift Telescoping Jib Boom Crane, 4 Lb. Capacity: Home Improvement

Bought this for $100 slightly used. Been handy around the farm doing jobs like you are describing. Don’t skimp on lifting safety. Plenty of other dangers to mitigate.