Wooden Boom Pole?

catvet · Sep 19, 2006

Probably a crazy idea but I'm thinking of building a boom pole out of wood. Would this be considerably less strong than metal?

Here's my concept. Take a 12 foot 4 x 6 (just happen to have one in pine) and lay 3 foot 6 x 6's on either side seperated by about 3 inches. Then place 2 x 6's (24") at right angles top and bottom covering the timbers. That give me basically a pallet with a long middle member. I would lag screw everything together.

I could then pick up the whole thing with my forklift attachment (rated for 3000 lbs). I was thinking that I could run cables back from maybe 2 feet from the outer end to the corners of my fork attachment protective grill so that that it would be kept from going side to side as well as over a bit of support for the top of the pole.

I would then put a hook or loop at the end.

I'm looking to raise timber bents which weigh about 500 lbs a piece. My L-39 is rated to lift 2200 lbs with it's bucket. I have the backhoe on for counter weight.

Somebody, or everybody, tell me what is wrong with this. Probably a lot but figured I'd throw it out for discussion.

MrJimi · Sep 19, 2006

No way I would do that, think about it, a light/phone/power pole will bend.
Jim

Brad_Blazer · Sep 19, 2006

The concept doesn't sound too bad. The pole will be mostly in compression and the cables in tension. 12' is a long way out. If you have it horizontal 500lbs gives you 6000 ft-lb of moment or torque at your forks plus the 500 lb vertical load. If your cables are attached 2 ft above the pole that's roughly 1560lb tension on each cable and the pole will push back with 3000lb of force. Is your guard that strong? What will the pole push against? Coupling all of that cable tension to the wooden pole effectively might be a challenge. Do you need the full 12'?

Some things to think about. In any event I would recommend careful testing prior to use.

Brad

Birdhunter1 · Sep 19, 2006

Why can't you use the fork's themselves?

Trahere · Sep 19, 2006

Watch out for splinters!

California · Sep 20, 2006

Watch out for suddenly losing the load. You need something to stop the boom from whipping back, if the tension on it is suddenly released.

1bush2hog · Sep 20, 2006

Jerry -

Take a look over in the forestry forum. There is a thread on Gin Poles that might help you out

www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php?topic=20836.0

catvet · Sep 20, 2006

Thanks for all the replies. The info in the forestry forum was a big help. Still not sure if doable. Figured I would try putting together and try some practice lifts with various weights and items to get a feel for it.

I'll let you know if I build it.

Trahere · Sep 20, 2006

I have had a few of those gin poles (exclude the poles) and found them to be acceptable!

Shaken not stirred!

srjones · Sep 20, 2006

hey, finally a subject that I know something about....

I think what you're describing is building a gin pole that is easily moved by tractor. If you search and read up on gin poles at FF, you'll get a good feel for how the generally work and are contructed.

I believe if done right, wood is perfectly acceptable. However, don't give in to the temptation to use your hydralics to actually lift the load in extension. Brad_blazer's explaination says it quite well. Rather, use something else to actually do the lifting (hoist, winch, etc.)

One other thought for improvement: Instead of using a 12' pole and raising it 8' in the air, why not use a 20' pole and keep the base on the ground. Put a set of wheels on it so you can move forward and backward as you raise/lower the load. Use the backhoe and outriggers as stabilization points to connect the top of the gin pole.

If you search my posts on "boom pole" you'll see some pix of what I've done. I know I can raise a 500lb bent. (especially considering that the most lifting done at one time will be 250lbs.)

BTW, there are quite a few FF members at TBN, and vice versa.