Loader FEL capacity with a boom

[whiskywizard]

Well, the boom is done, and I've tested it, but not painted yet. It's a partial success. I wish I'd done a few things differently. Some of those differences would result in a major change in design.

The rigid inflatable boat in the pictures weighs almost exactly 365lb as configured. The FEL easily lifts it, quite fast, but curl is limited. When the boom is close to horizontal or above horizontal, it will curl. If the boom is much below horizontal, it won't curl. This revealed to me the advantage of a boom that extends from the lower edge of the bucket, or better yet, hangs off the pins without the bucket. And my design is unnecessarily heavy. There are a number of things I could do to reduce weight.

I'll live with it as is and better figure out my needs and wants. I'll build another one next year maybe. Thanks again to everybody for their help.

 

[IslandTractor]

The rigid inflatable boat in the pictures weighs almost exactly 365lb as configured. The FEL easily lifts it, quite fast, but curl is limited. When the boom is close to horizontal or above horizontal, it will curl. If the boom is much below horizontal, it won't curl. This revealed to me the advantage of a boom that extends from the lower edge of the bucket, or better yet, hangs off the pins without the bucket. And my design is unnecessarily heavy. .

Not sure I understand that. Seems to me that whether the pole was attached to top or bottom of the bucket it would lift or curl with the same force at a given distance from the pivot pins. As Dargo pointed out, you might get a bit more lift and even curl if you got rid of the bucket itself though.

Here is my latest accomplishment with my boom: lifted a waterlogged swim raft over a seawall. Three guys couldn't lift it so I think it probably weighs about 600+ lbs.

 

[LD1]

Island is right, it you wouldnt gain anything attaching to the bottom. The only way to improve your curl ability is to either shorten the boom, or get rid of the bucket.

I do like the sway chains you added though:thumbsup:

 

[whiskywizard]

Not sure I understand that. Seems to me that whether the pole was attached to top or bottom of the bucket it would lift or curl with the same force at a given distance from the pivot pins.

Island is right, it you wouldnt gain anything attaching to the bottom. The only way to improve your curl ability is to either shorten the boom, or get rid of the bucket.

Mathematically, I agree, but as so often happens, the situation in the field deviates from the math.

With a (straight) boom projecting from the top of the bucket, there is a greater need to rotate the bucket forward (un-curl) so the lower edge of the bucket doesn't interfere with the lift or the ground.

A boom projecting from the lower edge of the bucket reduces this tendancy, hence allowing you to keep a line drawn through the C/L of the pins closer to perpendicular with the hydraulic cyclinder's line of thrust, where the curl power is greatest.

 

[LD1]

Mathematically, I agree, but as so often happens, the situation in the field deviates from the math.

With a (straight) boom projecting from the top of the bucket, there is a greater need to rotate the bucket forward (un-curl) so the lower edge of the bucket doesn't interfere with the lift or the ground.

A boom projecting from the lower edge of the bucket reduces this tendancy, hence allowing you to keep a line drawn through the C/L of the pins closer to perpendicular with the hydraulic cyclinder's line of thrust, where the curl power is greatest.

You have maybe 18" from the bottom to the top of the bucket.

Use a chain/strap that is 18" longer. Problem solved:thumbsup: