Key considerations…
- Trusses are used in the construction of new buildings to raise prefabricated trusses to the structure.
- Fork-mounted and quick-attach rebars are available to fit skid steers and telehandlers.
- 6′ to 15′ rods are common in both fixed and extendable lengths.
- Look for a combination of light weight and high lifting capacity when looking for a miniature armor boom attachment.
- High-quality miniature rebars will be built with a “setback” design to help lower the center of gravity.
- The reverse gear will help maneuver the trusses across the floor.
- Our suggested bracing attachment manufacturers are Haugen Attachments and Star Industries.
There are more than a dozen different telehandlers and miniature boom attachments on the market. Understanding your needs as a builder, as well as knowing what makes one boom better than another, is the first step to buying the right one.
In this short article, we’ll look at some common boom brands and design features of miniature rebars and help you decide which one might be right for you.
What is a skid steer and telehandler boom used for?
For those of you who are new to the world of building and construction, we should start by explaining what a roof truss is.
A roof truss is a prefabricated wooden structure that forms the roof of many buildings, while also connecting the exterior walls. The important note here is that roof trusses are “prefabricated,” meaning they are built in a factory and then delivered to the job site.
A truss truss boom attachment is an extendable arm used to lift trusses from the roof of buildings where workers can fasten them into place.
Quick coupler or fork mounted truss boom?
One of the first considerations when deciding on a truss boom is how the accessory will attach to your machine. Slotted and quick release fork bars are available.
While we can argue for either setup, it’s important to mention that data collected from our business shows that fork-mounted arms are more popular than quick connectors by a 2:1 margin. This applies both to miniature bars and telehandlers.
Truss feathers mounted with fork
Since most skid steers, telehandlers, forklifts and tractors already have pallet forks, purchasing a truss boom with fork slots makes the boom very versatile.
Fork slots will give you the advantage of being able to quickly switch between machines, increase the likelihood that you can rent or lend the boom while it’s not in use, and can even help with resale value.
Standard fork pocket sizes are 3 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ and are open at both ends to accommodate almost any length of fork. Of course, you should check with your dealer before purchasing. Be sure not to exceed the lift capacity of the forks and frame.
Fork mounted arms will usually have a pin that locks behind the fork heel. Making sure you use the pins correctly is essential for proper use.
Quick attach mounted truss springs
Alternatively, it is possible to purchase rebars that will attach directly to your miniature or to the telehandler’s quick connect. This system can be ideal for customers who do not yet own forks, do not have large enough forks or have the same mounting plate on all machines.
Because telehandler quick coupler designs vary by make and model, the lead time to purchase one may be several weeks longer.
Truss boom lengths and hitch/hook type
Adjustable truss boom lengths
Truss booms are manufactured in both fixed and adjustable lengths, with adjustable length booms being the most popular.
The adjustable length not only helps you quickly adapt to your working conditions, but also makes storing and transporting the boom much easier when not in use.
Most adjustable length trusses are held in place with a removable pin and will include a chart to show load capacities at specific lengths. Some may even come with holes in the frame to accommodate additional hooks.
Common adjustable boom lengths are 2.5 to 8.5 inches with lift capacities of about 2,000 pounds fully extended.
Fixed truss arm lengths
By eliminating moving parts, a fixed-length boom will have greater strength and a longer lifespan.
For a skid steer, fixed-length booms are common in 6′, 9′ and 12′ lengths, with load capacities around 2,000 pounds below 8′ and 1,000 pounds above 9′.
Fixed length telehandler booms are common in 2′, 4′, 12′ and 15′ lengths with load capacities around 10,000 pounds for the shortest boom and 2,000 pounds for the longest boom.
Truss boom hooks and hooks
Pin joints are the most common type of attachment to rebar. With a pin hitch you can attach a chain or rope to attach the armor to the hitch. It is simple, strong and has only one moving part.
What to look for in a miniature train boom?
When it comes to choosing a boom for your skid steer or telehandler, we have a few recommendations.
Light weight and heavy lifting
Lifting heavy loads off the floor increases your center of gravity. A high center of gravity creates instability and should be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your pen is as light as possible.
In addition to being light, the boom must have a high lifting capacity. To achieve light weight and high lifting capacity, you need a boom that is well designed and made to the highest standards. For this reason, we recommend rebars from reputable manufacturers such as Haugen Attachments and Star Industries.
Roll Back design
Setback is when a fixture is built at an angle to the connection plate. For example, if you look at a miniature boom designed with rollback, the boom will be angled 15 to 20 degrees up from the attachment plate to the hitch.
Recoil offers several advantages with a boom. First, it allows the miniature operator to keep the loader arms lower while placing the armor, thereby lowering the center of gravity of the minicarts. It also allows the miniature operator to reach higher with the boom if needed.
Recoil can also be useful for moving trusses across the floor. With enough recoil and boom length, a miniatures operator can keep the loader’s arms down while keeping the booms off the ground. This greatly improves the visibility of miniature operators during maneuvers.
conclusion
Ensuring that you have a high-quality, well-designed truss boom for your construction company is important for safety, efficiency and investment value.
If you have questions about which truss boom may be right for you, please feel free to contact author Cohen Meyer directly at cohenmeyer73@yahoo.com or our sales team at sales@skidsteersdirect.com.
