using a boom pole as a cherry picker

Mosey · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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 · Mar 27, 2002

eating too many cherries will give you a tummy ache

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

Anonymous Poster · Mar 27, 2002

...I could never get my fill...

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 · Mar 27, 2002

chocolate covered cherries

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 · Mar 27, 2002

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

Mosey · Mar 28, 2002

Next time I go to Lowes I look for a step ladder with a real wide base. Maybe I could just attach a 2x4 across the bottom of each side to keep the legs from poking into the ground. But, the problem still remains that at the top of the tree the branches get shorter, so I have to be able to reach in, which will be hard on a ladder since it goes straight up. That's one of the problems I was hoping the boom pole would solve. But, maybe the upside down carry all idea would be better than a boom pole, since there's not as much leverage and it won't go too high and be dangerous.

theboman · Mar 28, 2002

How about one of those funky ladders that you can fold over like an upside down U ? Or find a set of old scaffolding that is eazy to move around on, but a bit harder to move than a ladder but lots safer.

Or, just shake the devil outta that tree!

MossRoad · Mar 28, 2002

Try and <A target="_blank" HREF=http://henryfields.com/item_disp.asp?pn=07776>find one of thesefruit pickers</A> from a local garden supply place or you can order from Henry Fields or some other source. You don't have to leave the ground or you can use it to extend your reach while on a ladder.

BB_TX · Mar 28, 2002

I am going against the grain here. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif If you have verified that the pole can handle the weight, with a little thought you could make a fairly light weight basket to use as a man lift. You could weld it up out of angle iron and expanded metal. I assume you are talking about your feet not being more than 6 or 8 feet off the ground since you are talking ladders. I don't see that being any more unsafe than standing near the top of a ladder on soft ground.
My thought would be a U shaped attachment to the end of the pole to support a basket on 2 sides, in the center so it could swivel. The top of the basket would be at least waist high for safety. Darn, there I go thinking again./w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

n6ckv · Mar 28, 2002

Remember thata boom pole has limited travel. As it gets higher it is more vertical, so the pole would tend to push you out of the sling. Look for an orchard ladder - they are 3 leged so they can be set up on neven ground. That iswat is used around here for the cherry and aparcot orchards.

ewoss3 · Mar 29, 2002

Mosey since you don't have an fel for raising a lift platform use a fall restraint harness that attaches on the back. follow the link for a whole bunch of choices. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mscdirect.com/IWCatSectionView.process?RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&p_section_Id=2000173&Section_Id=2000173&p_product_type_Id=1300&ShowProductList=t&SelectedAtt.length=0&pbegin=0&pcount=15&NameVector.length=0&View.x.x=111&View.x.y=14>http://www.mscdirect.com/IWCatSectionView.process?RestartFlow=t&Merchant_Id=1&p_section_Id=2000173&Section_Id=2000173&p_product_type_Id=1300&ShowProductList=t&SelectedAtt.length=0&pbegin=0&pcount=15&NameVector.length=0&View.x.x=111&View.x.y=14</A>

bgott · Mar 29, 2002

"Or, just shake the devil outta that tree! "

That's how they pick almonds.

BB_TX · Mar 30, 2002

I agree with you on the travel issue. I am thinking a sling shot shaped frame. The "handle" would be a pipe that would slide over the end of the boom pole and be secured by screws. The basket would be supported on each side by the "arms" of the slingshot frame. The arms would attach to the center of each side of the basket with pins to allow it to swivel to remain level as it was raised.
I'm sorry. My engineer mind does these things to me. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif