Small crane for JD2520

[sldva00]

I needed to remove two septic tank 5 ft. lids. I borrowed a boom pole hoping to remove them with my JD2520. No dice. The lids were too heavy. They wouldn't budge an inch. I have a 9.5k winch and knew the winch wouldn't have a problem lifting them.

So I came up with this.



I used 2x2x1/4 tube for boom, 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1/4 for three point attachment and receiver hitch. The cable was borrowed from boom I borrowed earlier. Cut a 3/8 inch plate and drilled 5/8 inch hole on either end for pins at end of boom. The support braces are cut from 1/4 inch plate. The two plates at the end (behind the winch) are cut from 3/16 inch plate. The gusset plate on the 2 1/2 inch receiver/cross member is 3/8 inches.

It couldn't ask for better results. The crane did exactly what I needed it to do. I returned the cable and ordered an 8 ft. 5/8" Single Leg Thimble and Thimble Wire Rope to have for later use. I really don't like borrowing things.

 

[Wagtail]

Good stuff!

 

[Redlands Okie]

I noticed on the photo that it appears the chain hook tip was inserted into the middle of the chain loop. If so be careful and be sure to slip the chain hook over the loop midsection as the bottom picture shows on the left with the loose dangling chain. Will help prevent failure and the results from such.
Neat adapting of what is available to get the job done

 

[sldva00]

I noticed on the photo that it appears the chain hook tip was inserted into the middle of the chain loop...

Wow you are absolutely right. Sure glad it held the way it was hooked up. I looked at another photo and you can definitely see the tip of the hook in the middle of the chain loop. That's a serious accident waiting to happen. Great catch!

 

[roadhunter]

Would the FEL not lift it?

 

[sldva00]

Would the FEL not lift it?

No, it struggled to lift it a couple of inches. I messed up one of the seals at the tractor side of where the hydraulic lines meet the tractor. I was trying to lift some extra concrete from the foundation pour of the house. I could barely lift it, so I starting pushing the overfill with the forks. I pushed it maybe 30 ft, a little at a time, then noticed hydraulic fluid on the floor by my right foot. The loader is not at 100%, but still functional. I have to add hydraulic fluid every two to three weeks. It is mostly used to lift round bales on to trucks and trailers.

 

[roadhunter]

Interesting. I'm surprised that tractor will move round bales with the FEL and even more shocked that it would lift more with the 3 point considering how far out you are.

I'm sure you are on it but when hoses fail on a FEL it's gets ugly quick.

Congrats on a solution to your problem working.

 

[sldva00]

Interesting. I'm surprised that tractor will move round bales with the FEL and even more shocked that it would lift more with the 3 point considering how far out you are.

I'm sure you are on it but when hoses fail on a FEL it's gets ugly quick.

Congrats on a solution to your problem working.

Yeah we were all surprised that the FEL could move the round bales. As soon as our house is completed, I'm taking the tractor in to get the leak fixed and purchase the backhoe attachment.

The winch is lifting the load. The 3-point is just holding it in place. The first attempt of removing the lids, I had the chain wrapped around with a lot of slack. I lifted the hook all the way up to the pulley and still needed about 4 more inches to clear the ground. Tried to raise it with the 3 point and it wouldn't budge. Had to lower the lid and take out some slack on the chain.

 

[jenkinsph]

Curious why you did not use the lifting eyes built into the lid?

Glad you got that done either way.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Curious why you did not use the lifting eyes built into the lid?

Glad you got that done either way.

I wondered the same thing and depending on age and use of the container it could sure be cleaner