/pine
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2009
- Messages
- 12,450
Another advantage of a hydraulic top link is when using a boom pole...it basically eliminates the need for a crank winch, come-a-long, chain hoist etc., etc...IMO a HTL makes a boom pole a much more useful attachment...
I know that many operators with FELs and chain hooks don't bother with a boom pole...but I operate solo most of the time and I can see what I'm doing so much better (no spotter) when lifting and placing loads with a BP...
For instance...loading a large round (25"+) onto the splitter...if I use the thumb grapple on the FEL...I have to get on and off the tractor at least a couple of times because I just can't see...using the boom pole and tongs I can pick up and set the round perfectly on the splitter without leaving the seat...
Using a boom pole a HTL gives an operator the ability to move/center the tip of the boom over a load without moving the tractor i.e., out of the seat if need be...
While I'm harping on boom poles a couple of off topic thoughts...
First...a boom pole is probably one of the easiest 3ph attachments there is to add/remove...
Secondly...since I added a ball hitch to the base of my boom pole it has compounded its usefulness...prior to having the hitch on the BP once I dropped the trailer to load it with the FEL/grapple...I was bob-tailed with no rear counter weight...
BTW...I have nothing against bucket hooks and chain...but they work best with a ground man/spotter etc...
I know that many operators with FELs and chain hooks don't bother with a boom pole...but I operate solo most of the time and I can see what I'm doing so much better (no spotter) when lifting and placing loads with a BP...
For instance...loading a large round (25"+) onto the splitter...if I use the thumb grapple on the FEL...I have to get on and off the tractor at least a couple of times because I just can't see...using the boom pole and tongs I can pick up and set the round perfectly on the splitter without leaving the seat...
Using a boom pole a HTL gives an operator the ability to move/center the tip of the boom over a load without moving the tractor i.e., out of the seat if need be...
While I'm harping on boom poles a couple of off topic thoughts...
First...a boom pole is probably one of the easiest 3ph attachments there is to add/remove...
Secondly...since I added a ball hitch to the base of my boom pole it has compounded its usefulness...prior to having the hitch on the BP once I dropped the trailer to load it with the FEL/grapple...I was bob-tailed with no rear counter weight...
BTW...I have nothing against bucket hooks and chain...but they work best with a ground man/spotter etc...