mini-artic-loader

<h1>Boom Design</h1>

<p>The main design criterion of the boom is to allow for a skid steer quick-attach mechanism.&nbsp; When coupled with the maneuverability of the machine, this plays into our versatility requirement.&nbsp; We need to analyze height requirements for getting a hay grapple onto (and off from) a full wagon.&nbsp; We also need to accommodate the weight of a snow blower and possibly a firewood processing unit (most likely the heaviest device we might make).</p>

<p>A basic FEL boom design will work for the main arms.&nbsp; Hinged at the columns and designed with angles to facilitate attaching the main lift cylinders and the parallelogram linkages needed for the self-leveling feature.&nbsp; See <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US7059422">this</a>&nbsp;for an overly complex example. A simple parallelogram like shown <a href="https://www.deere.com/en/loaders/front-end-loaders-for-tractors/">here (view MSL loaders)</a>&nbsp;is certainly possible with this machine.</p>

<p>The MSL feature will really make this machine shine when stacking hay, or using a fork attachment.&nbsp; It adds significant cost to the boom build, but will be worth it in the long run as it makes it easier and safer for everyone to use the machine.</p>