Tractor FEL Crane *Update*

[PhilCase]

This past weekend I finished the FEL Crane boom project.

After advice from several people, I replaced the idea of a block and tackle with a remote control 3000 lb winch. HF had it on sale for $50.

I've updated the online slide-show (now with videos), to show the final state of the project.

The roof trusses were delivered this morning and roof building commences, weather permitting, on Saturday.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Await the movie this weekend. Best of luck.

 

[true temper]

Some one is fixen to get hurt with that thing.

 

[mbohuntr]

I'm not a real big fan of those turnbuckles. If one fails, the whole geometry changes in seconds. I've also had cable clamps like those fail as well. I might have built it a little differently, just be careful and keep everyone away from the working end, and where it will go if it fails.

 

[akpilot]

Philcase

I like it!! Yes........you have to be careful with any lifting equipment, keep people out of harms way. Attemp to limit bucket rotation with a load, it will move very, very fast with the tip that far from the pivot point. With that said....be careful looks like a handy tool to me..:thumbsup:

 

[mrcaptainbob]

I'd feel more comfy if those four-eye-bolt/eye-hooks were welded closed. The strain on them is intense at the angles you're using.

 

[mikim]

I thought I was a "jury-rig" exspurt.....you easily bypass me .... that thing scares me...good luck with it - it looks like it might do the job...but not so sure I'd want to be in the neighborhood during.

 

[jlrsn]

Phil,
Now you're Gilding the Lilly! You had a simple boom that would have easily lifted those few trusses into position without block and tackle or a winch. Now you're introducing non-essential components that themselves could fail. All that you needed was a hook on the end of your boom. If you had to lower items to below the roof level to the inside of the building I could maybe see a winch but I think now you're just having fun. Next you will be putting strobe clearance lights in case of low flying aircraft!

You stated at the start of the project; "I wanted to keep the rig as simple as possible, with a quick breakdown and minimal tooling."

I think you have exceeded your original intent!

Good luck and just lift the trusses, it's a simple job!
Jim

 

[cuoffroad]

Wow, I like the ingenuity but the fact the tooth bar is really just riding on two small little sides of the pipe would make me nervous....no matter how tight you have the rigging. I know it's slid over a tooth but that tooth isn't holding anything.

I maybe would have built some sort of mount out of the next size up i.d. pipe and some flat stock that would have been welded to the toothbar and then slide your boom pole down into that pipe and then continue as you did, if that makes sense.

Be careful. :thumbsup:

 

[PhilCase]

Phil,
... Next you will be putting strobe clearance lights in case of low flying aircraft!

I think you have exceeded your original intent!
Jim

Jim,

You are right, of course, but there was an issue that I was trying to address. I want the option to be able to set these trusses without additional help if necessary. As you can tell from this video, the bucket creates a fairly prominent blind spot when operating the boom. The winch was a solution to allow hands-on placement/control of the trusses while being absent from the seat of the tractor.

I have a friend, whose as nerdy as I, who suggests that a solution to the blind spot should be a video camera and monitor on the tractor. I rejected that idea, but if I was to add a digital recorder to that solution it would make for some interesting boom videos ----- I know, I know.

Strobes eh?

Phil