boom pole- did i do something unsafe

[JDRandyC]

I just got a boom pole to use with my NH 3930. Yesterday I used it to lift some stumps and move them about 100 yds to my burn pile. I went very slow (L1) as I moved the stumps. I would guess the stumps weighed 500 lbs.

Was this an unsafe practice? I didn't feel like it was unsafe but I think I read somewhere that you should use a boom pole only to lift something but not use it to move something. What do you think?

Thanks

 

[Argosy]

Did the tractor feel unstable? Were you on relatively flat ground?

A boom pole would be pretty useless if all you could do is lift. I move things all the time. I built mine out of a Harbor Freight hoist made for a pickup bed and a draw bar, the reason I did it was to move heavy "stuff". If it's real heavy I only lift it a few inches off the ground. I wouldn't use it on steep hills, but I couldn't imagine only being able to lift and not move either.

 

[TripleR]

When a FEL equipped was not available, I have used a boom pole. As mentioned, don't over load it and watch stability and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[sodamo]

Me too. I built an extension to mine, added winch. I've moved 25ft long roof panels and 4k gal water tanks. Take your time, evaluate for safety and you'll be fine.

 

[Brad_Blazer]

I think the practice to avoid is pulling/dragging stuff.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

I'd even add, under equal circumstances - lifting/driving with a rear boom should be safer than lifting/driving with a load suspended off a FEL since the rear axel is fixed. That being said, be careful - take it slow - and keep on hand on the 3 pt lever ready to drop it.

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I use my boom pole to drag tree's. That said I lift up one end of the tree off the ground and away I go. Just keep an eye on terrain and speed. If you get sideways on a hill and what ever you are dragging can skid down the hill and pull the tractor over.

 

[clemsonfor]

You dont want to go fast and let it swing it will bust stuff or pull you sideways. But if you lift something two heavy your front will just lift up, and you cant flip over if you carry it low cause you will quit bouncing backward if it hits the ground, even if its high the item will hit and take the weight off the front.

 

[IslandTractor]

You dont want to go fast and let it swing it will bust stuff or pull you sideways. But if you lift something two heavy your front will just lift up, and you cant flip over if you carry it low cause you will quit bouncing backward if it hits the ground, even if its high the item will hit and take the weight off the front.

This is not true. Yes the load force will drop to zero when the load hits the ground BUT the dynamic forces already generated could cause the tractor to flip over backwards. Yes going slowly would limit risk but it is much safer to either use the FEL or just put the load on an old car hood and skid it.

I'm sure it doesn't happen often with boom poles but this isn't really much different with regard to physics than stump pulling with a load attached to the 3PT. People are killed doing that all the time. This summer a VP of BMW was killed in Connecticut doing that.

 

[Giles]

At least you are trying to be safe---You asked our opinions:thumbsup:
Just NEVER get in a hurry--that's when things go wrong