3 pt boom poles. which to buy? maximum height?

[diesel lover]

Hello all, I am looking into buying a boom pole for a 3 pt hitch at some point. I have a mf25 diesel tractor. It is very similar in size to a 9n. I want a boom pole to lift heavy items out of the bed of my pickup truck or load them.
Years ago my neighbor asked for help installing the Fifth wheel hitch into the back of his pickup. It had been 8 years if not longer since it was in there. It was in his barn hard to get to and he had an 9n tractor. We were trying to lift it, I said "hey Ron wouldn't your boom pole be able to move this out of the barn and lift high enough to get it into the bed of your pickup?
Sure enough!! It lifted it straight into the bed of the pickup even with a small 9n.

There are two county line model 3pt hitches at tractor supply what are the difference in these two boom poles?

What's the difference in other boom poles. I thought about building one, but if I could get one for 150$ new/used that's okay with me!

What is an approximent maximum height to the loop on the pole with my tractor?

 

[greg_g]

Unless someone has a MF25 and both of those boom poles, you're not going to get accurate answers to most of those questions. I suggest putting the MF25 on a trailer, and driving it to TSC. Try them on for size. I think you'll find the only difference is in how much they'll lift. Another consideration is whether or not you have sufficient counterweight on the front of the tractor. With a one ton pole for example, it wouldn't be difficult to lift your front tires right off the ground.

But from a safety standpoint, it's best to over-buy. By that I mean, buy a pole that is rated to lift far more than the max you'd ever consider lifting. That's much safer than buying a light duty (500 pound) pole, then bouncing a 500 pound lift over rough ground.

//greg//

 

[CobyRupert]

Wouldn't the maximum height be a function of how long the boom pole is, the angle of the boom in relation to its mounts, the length of your 3pth top link and how high your 3pth raises? Lots of factors there.

 

[diesel lover]

I agree. I'm even finding them used for 75$. Without counter weights on the front it may limit my lifting to a safe 300 to 400 pound limit. And that is better than a damaged back. I would even use it for lifting things 100 pounds or less out of my pickup bed to save my back as my neighbor and I did with the fifth wheel hitch lifting it into the bed of his truck.

History on the tractor- my dad purchased it and does not want it anymore. He has other tractors to use and this one has a leak from the rotary fuel injection pump. My dad has decided after I buy a house I can get the tractor from him. I will be repairing it and using it to plow snow and move objects even now. The tractor is in Michigan and I live in Indiana. I am looking at trailers to rent to tow the tractor with my f150.

With the 3 point boom pole I could load and unload the finishing mower I am picking up from my dad right into the bed of my pickup. So at the moment I can't test it out
I think the max height of my neighbors was 9 to 10 feet roughly using his 9n.

I'm glad you reminded me of not having much weight on the front. I do not have a front loader or counterweights. The diesel engine is heavy which would help in weight balance but safety is still first.

 

[LD1]

I think both would lift to about the same height. The difference is one is lighter duty, rated at 1000# max, and the other is HD rated at 2000# and is cat I or cat II compatible and costs 2x's as much. IT also weighs 150lbs compaired to the light one at 66#.

I would think you would be okay with the lighter one given your tractor. And if you have multiple places to hook the toplink on your tractor, those will also change how high and how much weight you can lift.

 

[dakotagun]

I bought the lighter duty one for my 2305 and it's intended uses. Works great; use it for lifting my 5er hitch, like you, and lots of other stuff (62" deck out of storage, blower into storage, and and). Now that I have a FEL, it might see less duty but it was cheap enough that it can sit between uses. Thought about the more stout one at the time, but I haven't found a reason yet to regret it.

 

[diesel lover]

I'm seeing they are available used. I'm thinking the 8 foot version might be more handy for lifting things into a pickup than a 6 foot version. Either one will save my back. If I were to get an 8 foot version I can always chain on the loop closer to the tractor for heavier loads. Thanks for the replys. I am highly impressed with the boom poles I have found searching this site! I have seen the ones people have built. I am an intermediate level welder. I have completed several task welding semis, trailers and forklifts. With my welding experience I will be happy to build other 3 point attachments but as far as a boom pole goes, they are very affordable used in medium and heavy duty versions.

 

[Baby Grand]

My 500/1000# TSC model will put the L3240 into bypass.
I have been using/abusing it for 6 years.
Probably time to bust out the welder and convert it to an HD model.
CountyLine® Boom Pole - Tractor Supply Co.

 

[diesel lover]

My 500/1000# TSC model will put the L3240 into bypass.
I have been using/abusing it for 6 years.
Probably time to bust out the welder and convert it to an HD model.
CountyLine® Boom Pole - Tractor Supply Co.

Wow! Looks like even the county line light duty model holds up! Thanks for sharing! Looks like its 100% worth the price. Like others said my limits will depend on the tractor, but paying off student loans and buying a house its best for focus on bills first.

 

[diesel lover]

Don't know if you guys have rural king near you guys but they can't be beat when it comes to 3 pt equipment ! They have 10x more than tsc.