Homemade 3 point crane for the tractor

Homemade 3 point crane for the tractor with a few parts picked up from the local supply stores. With this crane, you won't be waiting on people to come help you lift and hold, you can operate by yourself and let the heavy lifting be done by the crane so your project can keep moving forward!

[@nathanhatcher7096]

Nice idea! Just add that harbor freight 12v winch that has a cordless remote then it would be even better! Thanks for sharing Nate!

[@bdradley1]

Would work perfectly! Thank you for watching

[@threeriversforge1997]

Very slick idea. I just happen to have some 20' lengths of tubing, too.

[@erichuff2538]

Fantastic idea. THANKS FOR SHARING.

[@joedirt5456]

Over the past few weeks I looked for an option, besides using my FEL with forks, to set 8x8x18 posts using my tractor. After countless searches I came across this video where David demonstrates lifting his trusses into place and how he used it to set his poles. With that, I went out and purchased a carry all, two 24' 2x2, 1/4 thick wall square tubing, a 12V 2K pound winch and all necessary hardware. I cut the 2x2 sticks down to twenty foot and put it all together as it is in this video. In this process, I had several neighbors, interested in my project, proclaim their doubts about this setup thinking the weight of an 8x8x18 post would potentially tip my tractor due to torque loads at the lifting point. I even reached out to David prior to using this setup just to discuss these concerns, all of which he told me, IT WILL WORK!! Well, not only did it work, it made the construction of my 30x40 pole barn, with 14' sides a breeze. Having the 12v winch made lifting the poles and setting them in place no effort at all. This was by far the BEST method I have ever used to set large poles. I also used this to set the metal trusses which spanned 33' with no issues. All in all, I'm thankful David took the time to post up this video and help another DIY'r out!! Now I have neighbors wanting to setup their own pole barn with my assistance!! Thanks David!!

[@user-rw7yn8rg6g]

Thankyou for sharing very well done my friend! I’m currently building pole barn 60ft long by 36 ft wide and this will definitely come in as a lot help thank you again

[@bdradley1]

Definitely will, my shop that the lean to is on is 30x36 and this would have come in handy on it. I just stood up 4 30 telephone poles with it last weekend except I swapped the manual winch out for a cheap harbor freight 12v and it stood all 4 up with no issues. Glad it helped and thx for watching! Dave

[@davidthompson8652]

I was looking for a solution to allow me to build a tall patio cover and your invention fit the bill. My construction is now complete and your “Skyhook” (that’s what I started calling it) was used to place all of the major pieces. Thanks for sharing your video. It made my project possible.

[@bdradley1]

Thank you for sharing David, that's great news and I love the name! Thx for watching! Dave

[@erichuff2538]

Very useful video thanks again. This has really opened up some new ideas for me. I'm always alone too. Wife and kiddo aren't much help to me at different things sometimes.

[@bdradley1]

definitely comes in handy for sure and not super difficult to build

[@RatsburyRaven74]

Look at this...a certain kind of person using his MIND!!....God Bless America!!

[@onthego9825]

This will work better for my pole barn than the boom I've been thinking of. Thanks!

[@bdradley1]

Great to hear and thanks for watching!

[@T0tenkampf]

What a simple idea that I had not thought of, was thinking about using forks on the bucket, This is much better.

[@user-ed8ol4ej1e]

word to the ambitious tractor guy: so you have the a axis (l to r) covered with the diagonal components, the b axis is dependent on the 2-1/4" tabs connecting the upper 3-point. i cannot see this lifting safely more than 250-300 lbs. dont even think about moving the tractor with any load. imho

[@kevinashby3784]

Wow. I never thought of that. Great job

[@etg1951]

Excellent video! I made me a similar style crane on a platform that I purchased from TSC but the two two (2) inch square tubes stand vertically plumb. At the top I have horizontal brace going from square tube to square tube with an eye bolt at center to attach my electric winch hook. I can attach my ladder to the platform and up to the horizontal brace at the top. I use heavy duty zip ties to secure my ladder to the two two (2) inch square tubes. Anyway, you came up with a great invention and you did an excellent job on the video. Thanks!

[@theclshow]

Great job! You are one smart man!

Ohhh wow! I need this to build my new house! Thank's!

[@landservicesandmore8691]

Outstanding! I love it! I will definitely make one of these. I have two bad shoulders and lifting and working over my head is extremely problematic. One is useless, the other only semi-useful... the crane will help me manage many projects I don't always have help to do! I will use a lightweight HF winch to save my shoulders from unnecessary wear... Woo hoo! Great idea and work. While I was attracted to the lifting of trusses, the ease of setting posts is real "icing on the cake". I can imagine all kinds of uses for such a tool.

[@bdradley1]

I appreciate it and you will absolutely be blown away at the ease of use. It has helped me on many a project and several more upcoming. Just make sure to attach to a tree when disconnecting or you will struggle getting it back up when needed again!

[@tuberstitious]

I just saw your reply to my post 3 yrs ago... buried way back in my emails... Glad to see this again. I needed that! Renews my juices to build my shop.

[@startingfromscratch7469]

Great idea!

[@silverleapers]

Brilliant ! Thanks!

[@ramchillarege1658]

Great Idea. Your tractor is big enough that I do not think it will tip. But, my 1025R could probably work.. but with a shorter pole height.

[@bdradley1]

Thx ram! Your 2025 will be fine. It has come in handy for sure. Thx for watching! Dave

[@mrstratau6513]

excellent.

[@lydiacapps709]

@Hello Stratau how are you doing

[@mentholman3201]

Genius! I need one. Could help lift stuff up in the shop. Thank you

[@carloscomstock7229]

I see a man that works a lot by himself.

[@bdradley1]

Yes you do Carlos, about 99% of the time in fact! Thx for noticing lol seems no one has the same passion as I do for my farm. Seems a wise man once told me that. Thx for watching! Dave

[@GraniteRidge]

Hmmmmm be careful tractor doesn't fall over

[@narrowexpress9096]

Awsum

[@carolynelrod9994]

I would love to get more info on the fasteners at the top, joining the two poles and holding the pulley. I tried zooming on the image but couldn't see enough detail. We have a barn and tractor shed to raise, and if this works as well as it seems we will probably use it to put up a timber framed carport and porch. I love this idea so much better than begging friends for help, especially when we have multiple projects. Thanks in advance!

[@bdradley1]

It’s just a grade 8 bolt, can’t remember the length but probably 6”. I just put a washer and lock nut on either end after drilling holes in square tube and then ran it though the pulley. Basically just acting as an axle. I think it’s 1/2” but whatever size your pulley hole is, that’s the size bolt you need. Hope that helps and thx for watching!

[@davidlarrimore9718]

Awesome! I love it. How thick is thick wall tubing? What I've found at the local Home Depot doesn't seem nearly thick enough.

[@bdradley1]

I believe it’s 3/16, definitely not going to find at Home Depot. You going to have to find the local metal supplier in your area. You need 20ft sticks and it’s going to be heavy! Thx for watching

[@rce2553]

Great work, but how are you going to place the internal trusses?

[@bdradley1]

Thank you I appreciate it. As far as the internal trusses (purlins), they are just 2x6x10 boards. I will just use a ladder and set them in the cradles on top of the joist and screw in with 1 1/2” screws. That video is coming soon! Thx for watching

[@kbengson9163]

Here's his link for that..... kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIGTlKaFeMutqM0

[@bigtxbullion]

Oh well here comes the YT experts. You forgot to consider this and account for that. I mean, how can you blah blah. You'll be sorry you saved money when yaddah yaddah yaddah. I think ill be stealing your design in my next contraption to pull a water well pump 200 ft underground. Last time i used scaffolding and an 8k lb whinch with pulley. Never though to mount a tower to a 3 pt hitch. 💪🤠