Boom Pole for 3PH - Are They Worth It

[BenRich]

My BX1870 has a FEL, which of course has already proven its worth many times over.

One of our neighbors here is a retired farmer; he still farms several acres and of course has an assortment of tractors, one of them a large John Deere with FEL.

He has told me that a 3ph boom pole is an absolute necessity. When I asked what you can do with a boom pole that you can't do with a FEL, he just said "lots of things".

I've thought it over but as I am an ignorant noob, I would appreciate hearing from you guys that have the experience. If there are any other BX owners with FELs that also have boom poles, I'd like to hear from you as well.

So, what can one do with a boom pole that cannot, or should not, be done with a FEL?

Ben

 

[RCW]

Ben -

Thanks for asking. I have no clue as to an answer, but wondered the same myself. I have a BX2360 with FEL.

I'll be interested in the responses.

 

[chim]

I made a boom pole for the old Ford and it really came in handy. When I got a tractor with a loader, it sat around a lot. The one thing I did use it for after getting a loader was the driveway drag. We paved the driveway and no longer needed it for that. Last year I added a 3-point connecttion for the drag, so that eliminated the use of the pole altogether.

 

[hodge]

The only real advantage would be driving forward while moving something, versus backing up with a loader. The loader is built heavier, and you can roll the bucket, adding another lift feature. You can feather the load, where on a BX tractor, you can not with the simple up-and-down 3 point. Weight distribution can be another issue- you can add more weight to the back to counter the loader, than you can to the front.
We have a loader on my dad's tractor, and our skid steer. We have never found a situation where we needed a boom pole.
Saying all of that, one would come in handy if you didn't have a loader, and needed to lift something. But, on a small tractor, your lift capacity is going to be limited, when you consider how far back the lift point is. A boom pole will have limited use on a BX, I believe.
If you could find one cheap, it may be worth messing with. If you have a loader, I just can't see spending good money on a pole that won't do what the loader will.
These are my opinons, and food for thought. Some one may very well post a brilliant use for one.

 

[Benhameen]

I have to agree with hodge.

I have a 3pt boom for my JD, and it was handy.

Now I have a Kubota with a FEL, and I have not yet needed to use the boom on the JD.

Just my two cents, of course.

 

[bandaidmd]

Reach would be one advantage

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[Bluegill]

We use short boom poles for logging here, skidding with log tongs. Mine will lift more weight than the loader.

 

[hodge]

We use short boom poles for logging here, skidding with log tongs. Mine will lift more weight than the loader.

Remember, he is asking in reference to a BX1860. Lift at the ends of the lift arms is like 960 pounds, where your 3800 is 1,998 pounds.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

I showed my boss the boom pole and now he wants one. First he needs a tractor, currently looking at the L3800, currently has a rental L3800 on site. Anyways he wants it to move his aluminum docks around, brings them in/out for the spring/fall. He said they are not heavy, just bulky. They are 4' widths and different lengths. He's pushing 75 and said he could practically pick them up. Just to massive for 1 person.

I would imagine you have better reach as previously mentioned and could get in tighter places also.

I also have a lifted truck and could see it being useful getting stuff in and out, and probably would be easier in some situations. I'm not even sure if even the FEL would even side load my lifted truck!

 

[BadDog]

Reaching in where things are tight. Like moving a Porter Cable G8 under my awning that didn't have vertical height for the FEL. Reaching into a truck with camper shell to lift out a T400/203 trans and transfer combo. Basically anything where the FEL bucket is too wide, or needs too much head room. Of course a clamp/chain on fork might work well too, if the loader/tractor can handle the extra leverage. I used that to move my back hoe when it was delivered, and it was ALL that FEL could handle.

Maybe when you need something quick with the FEL not currently mounted, and not worth mounting for that quick job.

 

[BenRich]

Thanks much for the responses and advise, guys.

I think my best course now is to wait and see if a situation arises where a boom pole would serve me better than the FEL. Thus far, that situation has not occurred.

Thanks again for the good responses from all.

Ben

 

[Bluegill]

Remember, he is asking in reference to a BX1860. Lift at the ends of the lift arms is like 960 pounds, where your 3800 is 1,998 pounds.

Yeah, that's a large difference!

 

[bandaidmd]

My b series lifts are rated @1058 at the back of the lift arms and the loader is 952 at the back of the bucket.
I tried to lift the back of a trailer with 2 jet skis on it and my loader would only pick it up with the chain at the back of the bucket.
With the boom pole i was able to lift it (center hook not the very end) and move it with no issues, so reguardless of what the specs say the rear lift acted like a better spot to lift a heavy load.

I wonder in the specs if the bucket weight is figured into the lift weight or whatever the bucket weighs you have to subtract, Our lift capacitys could be over 100# (whats a bucket weigh?) less than we think.

 

[In Utopia]

Not on my Kabota, but it's almost indispensable sometimes on my other tractor.
Don't have a problem going over backwards on this on the hills up here, but the weight of the tractor plus ballast on the front allow me to carry even bigger loads to the burn pit.
Got it on close out at TSC for $65.
Strong? I've lifted the front wheels off the ground more than once without bending anything

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[BenRich]

Not on my Kabota, but it's almost indispensable sometimes on my other tractor.
Don't have a problem going over backwards on this on the hills up here, but the weight of the tractor plus ballast on the front allow me to carry even bigger loads to the burn pit.
Got it on close out at TSC for $65.
Strong? I've lifted the front wheels off the ground more than once without bending anything

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Thanks In Utopia. Your use here is one of the uses I was curious about as I hope this fall/winter to start clearing some trees from my property. I had thought it might be easier to manage with a boom pole than with the FEL.

Now, that being said, I don't know whether my little BX1870 would provide me the type of lift height I would want; I don't imagine I would be toting anything as large as you are, but I would want to get it off the ground as much as possible so I don't tear up the soil tracking it across the meadow.

I suppose I could cut them into smaller pieces, but then it would be just as simple to toss the pieces into the FEL and tote them out that way.

I have a friend with a Cat 1 boom pole... he owes me a couple favors so I might ask to borrow it and find out.

Thanks again for all the responses,

Ben