3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No?

   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #1  

garacuda

Bronze Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
81
Location
Elizabethtown, KY
Tractor
John Deere LX255 - T0-30 - John Deere 4200 w/FEL
Some of you may remember when I bought this beast of a boom pole a couple of months ago. I'm about ready to use it on a project and am thinking about chopping some its parts off. This thing was supposedly built by the Corp of Engineers years ago and is certainly "over built" in my mind. I'm seeking some opinions about chopping off the parts I have marked with white out tape in the photo. I don't see where it's really needed and it will make it a lot easier to hook up without those extra braces. I'm also thinking about chopping off some of the re-bar bracing on the boom itself (the ones on the sides) It's been fixed where it won't swivel anymore and I just can't see where it would hurt it any to "lighten the load".

I welcome any thoughts as to whether or not it's okay to chop it up a bit. When I'm finished with this next project I'm going to make it Green. :D
 

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   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #2  
I am sorry if this sounds harsh but when I see what you have and consider what you need I would start over.

Look at a ready made boom pole from Tractor Supply or others to get a rough idea of what to build.
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #3  
I do not see what those parts do either.
I cannot see how they would add to the strength of it.
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #4  
I agree that the parts on the front serve little purpose. In fact, it doesn't look like they ever had much purpose unless some other parts have already been removed. They might serve to keep the post from moving side-to side, but the other diagonal braces do that more effectively. The ones you marked depend on the stiffness of what looks like flat stock on edge that mounts them to the frame. That stock would easily bend if in fact the post were able to move sideways, offering very little support.

The other purpose could be to keep the lower cross member from rotating. But there seems to be little need for that. The post is no doubt well welded to that cross member, and it looks like the boom mounts close to it, offering little force to rotate the cross member.

The side rebar braces on the boom would serve to keep the pole from failing by bending to the side, so might be useful in theory. However, the point of highest stress, and thus most likely failure point, is where two main side braces and the rebars join the boom. But the rebars offer no support there. It seems of little value to re-enforce a less highly stressed point.

Terry
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No?
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I agree that the parts on the front serve little purpose. In fact, it doesn't look like they ever had much purpose unless some other parts have already been removed. They might serve to keep the post from moving side-to side, but the other diagonal braces do that more effectively. The ones you marked depend on the stiffness of what looks like flat stock on edge that mounts them to the frame. That stock would easily bend if in fact the post were able to move sideways, offering very little support.

The other purpose could be to keep the lower cross member from rotating. But there seems to be little need for that. The post is no doubt well welded to that cross member, and it looks like the boom mounts close to it, offering little force to rotate the cross member.

The side rebar braces on the boom would serve to keep the pole from failing by bending to the side, so might be useful in theory. However, the point of highest stress, and thus most likely failure point, is where two main side braces and the rebars join the boom. But the rebars offer no support there. It seems of little value to re-enforce a less highly stressed point.

Terry

That pretty much sums up what I was thinking and was too lazy to write. :laughing: I can't see where they do anything but add weight. Maybe when it was first built and was supposed to be able to turn from side to side (see grease fittings) but someone since then welded the small angles on, to stop what was probably a bad idea to begin with.

I'm going to hack the useless parts off, grind it smooth and put it to work. Even without those parts it looks beefier than most "store bought" poles. I appreciate all replies.
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No?
  • Thread Starter
#7  
I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that was a boom from a older twin boom tow truck that was removed and converted to a three point.

http://flashbackf100s.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/page_4_1869.28665835.jpg

Danged if it don't look like it! Or at least used it as a guide! The whole shebang is welded on a tractor cross drawbar down at the bottom. Thanks for the photo CB, looks like about a '64 Ford cab. Is it yours? Looks like Tow Mater's younger cousin.
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #8  
post 22 = more pictures of this boom pole
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...pt-boom-poles-buy.html?highlight=#post3782034

i would leave the rebar at the end of the boom pole.
it would make for a nice spot to hook some additional chains to. to hold an odd piece of something. been there done that, from mower decks, to other 3pt hitch like attachments, there is a good spot to hook chain to. but i wish there was a couple other spots i could easily hook some chains to. so i don't have one end wanting to drag on the ground and nock the stuff every what way.

the white pieces you want to remove. i see 3 bolts. 1 in the center pipe (with a greese zerk above and below the bolt), and then a bolt on each side of that extra bracing (what you have covered in white), undo those 3 bolts and looks like the piece will side up and out

kinda wondering if you slide that piece out, and then flipped the boom pole itself upside down, if that piece would slide into the bottom, to have a different angle of attack on the boom pole.

wondering perhaps that white pieces you want to remove, are adding some in, keeping the boom pole from doing the "dog tail wag" in that the lower L shape peices touching the lower lift arms on the 3 point hitch. ((aiding in use of sway chains / sway bars))
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No? #9  
Looking at the older photos, the purpose of the parts you want to remove is clear. As designed, the vertical round member, the two angle braces attached to it, and the lower angle iron cross piece all moved together to allow the boom to swing. When it did that the front angle pieces were the only support for the top of the vertical post and were essential.

Then the two little angle iron stops were welded on to hold the boom assembly in a fixed position. Are they stoutly welded to both the lower cross piece and the angle iron cross piece? They need to be if the two angled braces are going to provide support for the vertical post once you remove the other braces.

Terry
 
   / 3 Point Boom Pole Modifications - Yes/No?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
post 22 = more pictures of this boom pole
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...pt-boom-poles-buy.html?highlight=#post3782034

i would leave the rebar at the end of the boom pole.
it would make for a nice spot to hook some additional chains to. to hold an odd piece of something. been there done that, from mower decks, to other 3pt hitch like attachments, there is a good spot to hook chain to. but i wish there was a couple other spots i could easily hook some chains to. so i don't have one end wanting to drag on the ground and nock the stuff every what way.

the white pieces you want to remove. i see 3 bolts. 1 in the center pipe (with a greese zerk above and below the bolt), and then a bolt on each side of that extra bracing (what you have covered in white), undo those 3 bolts and looks like the piece will side up and out

kinda wondering if you slide that piece out, and then flipped the boom pole itself upside down, if that piece would slide into the bottom, to have a different angle of attack on the boom pole.

wondering perhaps that white pieces you want to remove, are adding some in, keeping the boom pole from doing the "dog tail wag" in that the lower L shape peices touching the lower lift arms on the 3 point hitch. ((aiding in use of sway chains / sway bars))

I think they were intended to angle with the lift arms.......on a larger tractor, they are too wide to settle down inside of the arms on my 4200 (another reason I cut them off yesterday). I'll check into the "pole flipping" idea this afternoon, it might be a viable option. And you have a good point on leaving some area to "tie-down" to on the pole. I've about decided to go ahead and weld the swivel parts permanently in place to avoid any accidental movement, as TerryR has eluded to. I'm guessing it happened once early in it's life and the angle stops were added so it wouldn't swivel anymore, and I'm fine with that.

All good info and thoughts here. This is exactly why I posted it on TBN. Thanks again to all for the input!
 
 
 
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