Log Boom Construction

I am starting on an addition to my trailer. I am building a log boom/grapple so I can self load logs on the trailer. Here is the design I came up with. I designed this with a 3D software package from Alibre Inc

Here is the trailer before I started. I have some of the steel for the project on the bed of the trailer, and in the picture to the right the pins and bushings that are going to be needed.

I started by extending the frame out 2 1/2 feet and added another 4" channel iron to the frame.

I have reattached all the log bunks to the frame, and in the front you can see the start of the log loader base.

I am mocking up the outriggers.

I have cut out the plates that will reinforce the pivots and am doing a test fit.

I have the outriggers all tacked together. All that is left is some final welding, and run the hydraulic lines.

My brother is doing most of the welding on this project. I can weld, but he does a much better job then me. So I figured it wouldn't hurt to let him do the final welding.

Here he is welding the pivot plates on the boom and stick.

I am test fitting the boom to stick pivot.

We are using a magnetic drill to drill the holes for the bushings.

I have the boom to stick pivot together.

Here I am test fitting the swivel that the entire boom assembly will attach to.

We are welding the swivel together.

Welding on the gear that a hydraulic motor will power to swivel the boom.

Here is the base assembly welded to the trailer with all it's braces.

Here is the shaft for the bearings for the swivel. And I have installed the shaft into the base.

We installed the bearings and placed the swivel on the shaft.

We lifted the boom up to the swivel with the cherry picker. Then we welded the bushings for the pivot pin in place.

I lifted up the end of the boom and installed the main lift cylinder.

I then lifted the stick into place and installed it.

Here is the stick pivot all assembled.

We then made a mount for the engine.

I am starting on the grapple. On the left is one set of tines for the grapple. And on the right is the base of the grapple and the other set of tines installed.

The grapple is all assembled.

This is the rotator and rotator hanger for the grapple. I used a wheel hydraulic motor to power the rotator and hang the grapple from.

This is the beginnings of the oil reservoir tank.

Here the motor to rotate the boom has been mounted.