using a boom pole as a cherry picker

[Mosey]

I just bought a boom pole and was wondering if there is any to use it as a cherry picker, I mean literally – for picking cherries. I’ve tried a step ladder, but they’re too tippy if the ground is soft. I can reach 2/3rds of the way up by standing on a chair, but can never get the ones on top. I was wondering about attaching a platform to the end of the boom pole to sit on while someone else raises me up. For safety reasons, I would always be lowered back down and get off to move the tractor to the other side of the tree. Does this sound feasible? Would a compact tractor be stable with a 200lb person on the end of a fully raised boom pole (on flat ground)? I have a feeling people have done this with front end loaders, but I don’t have a loader.

 

[Cdash]

This doesn't answer your question, but, an idea for you:

Take a carry-all (pretty cheap to buy) and rig it up to hook onto your 3 point upside down, you could put a pallet on the legs/forks, and have a working platform.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

This is a test... only a test... don't adjust the horizontal or the vertical... this is a test... for the next 60 seconds... /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Hook up your 7-8' new boom pole to the hitch... raise it up above your head... turn off your tractor... now go back and grab a hold of the end of it very gently and suspend yourself in the air... did your 200lbs. and the leverage lift the front of your tractor off the ground...? /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif {under the right conditions and not being ballasted properly... that 1000+ lbs capacity boom pole can be dangerous... do you really want to be up in the air, attached to its end, and depend on it for your life...?}

Now... before you hurt yourself... get the right tool for the right job... no it's not a cherry picker... then look up some of your old college physics books on simple machines and levers so you can better understand how a "weak man" can become a "super man"... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Mosey]

John, Actually, I've already done that test and then some. I lifted my newly acquired used sickle bar mower off my trailer with this boom pole and the front end of the tractor never came up. I'm sure this mower weighs at least twice as much as I do. I will do what you suggested though, so I can see if I can jerk on it and get the front to move at all. When I was moving the mower I was careful not to jerk because the last thing I wanted to do was snap the chain and drop the mower!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

wow...sounds like the long way around a simple solution.

why not just grab a piece of 1/2" plywood, set it on the ground, set a step ladder on it and be SAFE !!

if you really want to do it right, invest in a little giant ladder by WING. its fully adjustable and can work as a step ladder or as a lean-to ladder. it will save you a lot of grief elsewher around the house also.

don't try the boom pole...besides the physical hurt if something does screw up, trying to explain to your boss ( or wife ) why you can't work for a few weeks has got to hurt !!!!!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Danny,

You know I was having some fun... but also feel it is dangerous for what you want to do... moving material with a boom pole is one thing... but suspending a person in the air is another...

There is no doubt in my mind, you can concoct a platform up and mount it on the end of the boom pole and actually do what you wish to do... but it's just plain unsafe...

Besides, eating too many cherries will give you a tummy ache... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>eating too many cherries will give you a tummy ache</font color=blue>

Nah, if they're Bings or Raniers, I could never get my fill./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...I could never get my fill...</font color=blue>

Oh.... l love them too.... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

As a kid, I'd "steal" my Mother's/Grandma's chocolate covered cherries... then they got smart and started giving me them as gifts... then my kids gave them to me... Whoa... I'll be a blimp before long and my teeth will fall out of my mouth if I keep this up... /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Now, all the stuff is too "sugary"?... I'm down to "basic cherries"... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>chocolate covered cherries</font color=blue>

Ah, yes, very tasty; I think now-a-days they call them "cordials". And Russell Stover putting in a big candy factory with a factory outlet store too close to us isn't helping my waistline any./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif But I only spent a little over $20 there this week./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[MossRoad]

My kids and I pick quite a bit of fruit in the fall. We always use the ladders that are supplied by the orchard. The are very sturdy and can be moved very easily. I would opt for that over the boom pole idea. Stay safe /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif