Combine Mounted Boom

Combine Mounted Boom COMBINES Accessories 19-4-36 Needing a lift boom around my place and having a combine that sits idle most of the time, I designed a boom that mounts right on the feederhouse. I used the frame off an old corn head and an unused planter lift assist arm. I stripped the corn head of all but a portion of one row unit (at the base of the boom) which serves as a ramp onto which I can roll my acetylene torch. The lift-assist arm bolts to the toolbar of cornhead, where the row units had been bolted on. I used row unit frames to pro-vide added support, remounting them vertically on either side of the lift arm. No welding was required. The boom moves two ways. Most of the time I just lift and lower the cornhead using the combine lift cylinders. But the lift arm is fitted with its own hydraulic cylinder which allows the arm to pivot up and down as well. I control this cylinder with the reel height adjusting control, which is designed for a 1-way cylinder. I used a 2-way cylinder but I just used one hose and attached a fuel. filter to the other hose fitting on the cylinder to keep out dirt and to allow it to breathe, so it works like a 1-way cylinder. Lift height is 12 to 15 ft. One benefit of mounting it on a combine is that the hydro-static drive lets you move and position objects very slowly and precisely. To increase control, I added a shut-off valve to the oil line leading to the hydraulic cylinder on the lift arm which allows me to control the flow of oil so I can lower an object, such as an engine head, slowly and carefully. (Dale L. Orman, 1300 Timber Run Dr., St. Louis, Mo. 63146)

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