Necessity is the mother of invention

[torch]

This worked so well I may have to make up something a little less sketchy:

 

[Sodark]

...?

 

[torch]

Hey, if I had built that raft, Wilson wouldn't have fallen overboard...

 

[GreensvilleJay]

next time( yeah, there WILL be one....) mount the 2by boards 'on edge'. They'll be stronger, won't flex.

 

[torch]

next time( yeah, there WILL be one....) mount the 2by boards 'on edge'. They'll be stronger, won't flex.

Yeah, you are right. I thought of that after the fact. The bottom one is actually a 2x8, sufficient width to bridge the two forks, but the upper 2x4 would be better on edge.

 

[dlundblad]

Pretty nifty.

Whats holding the barrels on?

 

[torch]

The framing was cinched tight to the barrel ends before being screwed into place, so there is a tight friction fit, plus galvanized steel strapping crossed under each barrel.

Probably over-kill. Once the dock sections are upright and floating, the barrels can't really go anywhere and the weight of the wood will keep them in place.

 

[torch]

MkII:

No flex on this one. I think it's time to build a SSQA mount for it.

 

[hope to float]

I'd say that would lighten the back end pretty quick

 

[torch]

Yes. Horizontal like that it must be treated with the greatest caution and respect. The 500 lb capacity at the pins probably translates to something like 50 or 100 lbs at the end of that boom! However, I was primarily using it to rock the stump of that old cedar back and forth. With a chain to the back of the tractor, I could only pull and that wasn't sufficient.

 

[torch]

Finally got around to building the MkIII:

First, an SSQA mount:

Added a pocket to set the boom on:

And welded the boom in place, adding bracing plus a 4' wide foot at the bottom to keep things stable in use:

The travel position:

Not quite as convenient as a backhoe, but it'll do for now!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

looks great except for the 'counterweight'....

 

[shootem604]

I found with a front mounted boom pole, it can be handy to be able to use the boom in different places (ie attached to the left or right for better/tighter access etc - I was setting trusses with mine). Suggestion: maybe put a couple more pockets for the pole on your SSQA mount in addition to the centre one?

 

[torch]

I found with a front mounted boom pole, it can be handy to be able to use the boom in different places (ie attached to the left or right for better/tighter access etc - I was setting trusses with mine). Suggestion: maybe put a couple more pockets for the pole on your SSQA mount in addition to the centre one?

Too late. It's welded up solid now. I was striving for maximum stability. I forgot to include this picture:

 

[skeets]

Looks pretty good, now one question for you. That picture wouldn't happen to be of a lodge would it? I ask cause of the gas pump

 

[m.t.hands]

i can see that being all kind of handy

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I made a similar boom pole for setting my trusses... Worked perfectly.

The RV winch at the top of the boom pole is remote controlled and allowed me to set them gently and precisely while on a ladder controlling the trusses.
It's 1/4" wall 2 1/2" drill steel pipe, bolted with 2, 3/4" grade 8 bolts and notched to sit on the SSQA forks frame.
It was made in three interlocking sections held by pins, to accommodate changes or getting in and out of the house, turned out I never had to change it or even take it apart to get it in or out of the house or the garage.

 

[shootem604]

Very clever!

 

[SidecarFlip]

Like the old saying goes.... 'Give me a long enough lever and I can move the world'.

 

[torch]

Looks pretty good, now one question for you. That picture wouldn't happen to be of a lodge would it? I ask cause of the gas pump

Pump? I wonder if you are looking at the refrigerator? It's tarped up for the winter.