From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Lodi, California

Hi,

I don't have much to lift this year, but I think that I might need a nice pumpkin lifting device for the future. When we lifted my first year pumpkin, which weighed 572 pounds, we needed seven people to lift it, and even then it was very hard moving it around without bashing the stem in (which did happen). So what materials do you guys use if you want to be able to lift a very heavy pumpkin out of your patch? I have heard that 4 by 4's used to make a tripod only work up to a certian weight, and I am not sure how much weight a aluminium tripod will hold. Any ideas? Thanks.

8/3/2014 1:38:40 PM

Hinckley MN

Tripods can be made heavier than 4x4s. The problem is they are then heavier than 4x4s and you may need power equipmet to set them up. Some sort of skid skid or tractor with a front end loader is what most growers use to move their fruit. If they don't own one they borrow or rent one.

Then you use special made pumpkin lifting harness either on a large clevis or a lifting ring. I got mine from P&P seeds. your local club may know of other places to get one. A skid steer can lift it in the patch, drive to your trailer or pick-up, and set it on the pallet. That is alot easier than trying to back a trailer between the legs of a tripod in soft patch soil.

8/3/2014 2:46:19 PM

Massachusetts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ElvtamCf94

8/3/2014 2:59:48 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have lifted up to 919# with my 4x4 tripod with ease, and I'm sure it will handle much more. I use a 1 ton chain hoist attached with a heavy chain. I use 6 - 1" nylon straps 6' long with a safe working load of around 290# each. I hook them directly to the hook on the hoist, but I also have a large tractor clevis to attach them to the hoist. I use a heavy nylon rope at the bottom. If I ever get one much over 1000# I want to get a lifting ring and 2" straps. Before my shoulders went bad I could set it up by myself, but now I need some help.

8/3/2014 3:24:28 PM

Springfield, VT

I have made several tripods, first two were from some trees that I had. Currently I'm using two 2x6 glued and screwed together for legs. Lifted a 1386 lbs pumpkin with no problems. I use straps bought from P&P seed.

8/3/2014 4:45:54 PM

Lodi, California

Ok, thanks for the help!

I do not have any heavy equipment. I live in the suburbs and I can barely fit a pumpkin, let alone equipment, into our back yard.

8/3/2014 7:15:54 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

1037 lbs and 1076 lbs with no effort using 4 x 4 posts, rebar and chain along with a chain hoist...piece of cake.

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=191705

8/3/2014 7:18:50 PM