Quick 'n Dirty Gin Pole Lift

Needed to move some RR ties around.  
Scrounged together a bolt-on gin-pole using an old winch and some scrap parts.
Works pretty well.  Needs some improvement, but that will come...

Hope this helps someone else work smarter, not harder, lol.



The pipe slips over the trailer ball.








To remove the gin post, unclip the chains, unhook the winch hook, and lift the pole off the tractor.  Reel up the winch and you're all set to use the ball again.

I also doubled two Simpson Strong ties and fastened them under the ball to act like a tongue for pin-type couplings.  I'm not happy with it for several reasons, so it will be replaced with heavier stock on the next go-round.

That's about all there is to it and you can make this boom lift using basic tools like a drill and a sawzall.  If you're like me, you probably already have most of the parts you need laying around too, lol.  

Now go forth and lift things...

Looks good! Even if you don’t have a winch this would be good to have a nice high tow point for skidding stuff around.

I might try that, I already have a 2" ball. I might need some weights in the front ?

Excellent, about to build mine to do a lot of pulling and logging, really good idea, is your dif locked? I wonder if it is better to pull with a diff locked or not.?

My diff is open on a peerless 205 running chains.  I have occasion to run across a paved driveway and it is horrible with chains, it is only about 15 feet wide.  Until I get my new V tread tires on and ditch the chains, no way I am locking it.  

For pulling small logs the open diff has not been a problem for me.   I do not think I would try pulling what the OP pulls with my current set up.

Okay thanks for the input, I was considering locking mine as I the terrain is really muddy, guess I'll do without and do it if needed