work platform on truss boom

[Renze]

Because most people ask money for wood you can saw on the ground, but if you have to take it off height (tree trimming) its free, i decided to build a highlift manbucket.

1st photo: This is how we got by last summer, putting the forks upside down on the pallet board to gain another 2 feet, and when that wasnt enough, tie a ladder in the crate to get at tree trimming height... It worked with a body full of adrenaline, but when you get used to the situation it gets dangerous...


photo 2 and 3: First day of welding a boom section and a bucket:


photo 4 and 5: Setting it square with a load tie and welding all the pipes in the truss frame


photo 6: flat on the ground, welding hinge points will be done the next day

 

[Renze]

First dry test run on a saturday at broad day light:


When it turned dark we decided on a floor: an old pig floor "tenderfoot" which is plastic coated expanded metal. It allows the sawdust to drop through.


Furthermore first test flight and a photo over the barn roof... It still isnt painted because we have another project sitting in the barn...
More photos will follow when paint is done and the kick plank is installed (to prevent the chainsaw or gas tank to fall out when you dont adjust the manbucket tilt good enough)

 

[deerseeker001]

good job

 

[R W]

Looks like a good idea if you aren't afraid of heights.
Could you let us know the length of the truss.

 

[hr3]

How do you keep the bucket level,, I don't see any mechanics ???

 

[Renze]

Could you let us know the length of the truss.

its 3.4 meter, or about 11 foot. With standard 1 1/4" construction pipes spaced 13" apart plastic deformation (permanent elongation of the main pipes in the truss) will occur when there is a static load of 2 ton in the bucket, yet the truss boom can easily be lifted by two men, if you want to you can even lift it by yourself. Thats why i wanted a truss, its stiff and light.

How do you keep the bucket level,, I don't see any mechanics ???

Theres a 1 1/2" cylinder to correct the bucket angle.

 

[newbury]

Have you tested how much weight you can put in it before either deformation or lifting the tractor rear?

 

[Bob77064]

Good job, very useful.

 

[Renze]

Have you tested how much weight you can put in it before either deformation or lifting the tractor rear?

engineered. Tractor rear wont lift, bucket tilt force is the limiting factor of getting it upright after getting in the bucket.

 

[dstig1]

Interesting! And how do you get into the bucket? Appears to be a challenge even near ground level.

 

[aginn]

My butt got tight just thinking about using that ladder. Good idea on the lift. Now I know a very useful project to do. Kudos to you.:applause:

 

[Renze]

Interesting! And how do you get into the bucket? Appears to be a challenge even near ground level.

at ground level it tilts about 40 degrees forward... before driving you tilt it up 3 meters so then its horizontal...

 

[ENC]

Just be sure to strap yourself in. A stray limb or hydraulic failure could cause the bucket to upset rather quick.

 

[Rustyiron]

Looks very usefull. Beats a ladder all day long!

 

[tradin1]

Was thinking of something similar and love the idea of using third function for the tilt. Great idea!

 

[aeblank]

Dang. I like it, but it looks scary as........crud.

 

[NewLight]

Picture 1 is scary just looking at it. But I understand the need to improvise. I really like what you did, that's basically what I would liked to have done minus the truss being that long. Maybe one day. Excellent build:thumbsup:

 

[Renze]

Thanks for your comments. Right now i dont have trees to trim, so i'll have to ask around at neighbours if they have treelines to trim, to keep our workshop warm, 2 winters from now. I want oak to dry at least 2 years, lighter wood like bird cherry and willows dry faster.

 

[Ed of all trades]

My boss had me make a fancy work platform to use with the tracked skid loader we used building houses. The platform was 11' long and had a frame that was long enough so that a 12v motor could spin it to just the right angle, from inline with the loader to any other angle you wanted. I was also the equipment operator for all of the equipment so I spent a lot of time moving the platform while others worked. One day we had a guy on the platform and as I was moving him I had to tilt the platform up so I was trying to feather the valve and get it to move very slowly. The guy started hollering hurry up, I don't have all day, so I tried to get to the spot where the valve opened a little quicker. I got there to quick and threw him about 18" up in the air and hurt his back, not bad but it was sore for a few days. That happened while I was trying to move it slowly. I say this to say, BE CAREFUL. That thing could easy kill you. The long lever speeds things up to the point you could throw someone out of the bucket. Trust me I know. Ed

 

[Renze]

The guy started hollering hurry up, I don't have all day, so I tried to get to the spot where the valve opened a little quicker. I got there to quick and threw him about 18" up in the air and hurt his back, not bad but it was sore for a few days. That happened while I was trying to move it slowly. I say this to say, BE CAREFUL. That thing could easy kill you. The long lever speeds things up to the point you could throw someone out of the bucket. Trust me I know. Ed

I know too. Thats why i have a zero tolerance policy for hollering bystanders when i am in the bucket. Violations will be punished by tossing a piece of wood.