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Eugene,OR

I appreciate the concern you guys have. Hopefully the info on the pipe is sufficient for you structural engineers out there to tell me if I need to invent a different way to do this. Thanks!

[Last edit: 09/08/25 11:24:22 PM]

9/8/2025 11:23:02 PM

Grittyville, WA

Honestly... more worried about the liftgate that needs the forklift assistance to get up... Is the tripod new? The replacement for that? Its pretty inconceivable that the extensions would fail unless someone bumped them with, say, a vehicle bumper. Anyhow just think about the sum total of all the sketchiness. If one thing goes wrong you don't a domino effect. Or better described as the swiss cheese model... each extra hole increases the chance that all the holes line up.

I put short extensions on my metal tripod too, I was concerned about it but my hindsense is that it hasn't even come close to being a possible failure point. I'm sure it would fail elsewhere first.

But try it out first on some wet round bales of hay or something you wont get hurt if things go wrong and see... the main key to things being foolproof/ bulletproof is to never assume anything.

9/8/2025 11:56:18 PM

Eugene,OR

My liftgate is fabulous. What are you talking about?

9/9/2025 12:35:06 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

I'm not an engineer. That said, I would opt for a LARGER pipe on the outside of the main tripod leg and double through-bolted to secure it. JMO

9/9/2025 12:41:02 AM

Grittyville, WA

Ok, ok. I just remember a liftgate I used to have... It never struck me as trustworthy, always struggled at only 400+ lbs. even though it was rated for much more.

9/9/2025 8:55:30 AM

Portland, CT

Hey Russ, I am a structural engineer who designs bridges. Intuitively, I can tell you that your leg extensions won't fail due to compression. The main worry is this thing called local buckling in the cross section that you drilled a hole in. If you do what KC Kevin suggests with a larger pipe you will minimize that risk. The ideal solution would be welding that extension on but obviously that's a bit difficult.

9/9/2025 11:21:51 AM

Eugene,OR

Thanks to everyone for your concern and input on my sketchy design for lifting a heavy object of unknown weight at an unknown angle. I am headed to the metal place to find a pipe that will fit OUTSIDE of the tripod legs.

[Last edit: 09/09/25 12:18:02 PM]

9/9/2025 11:49:06 AM

Grittyville, WA

I dont think going outside is necessary. I put very similar short extensions on mine... & no issues. Of course I haven't grown a 2k or 3k pumpkin but if your pumpkin breaks those, then you do have quite a pumpkin.

9/9/2025 4:33:55 PM

Eugene,OR

I went to the metal place and they laughed at me. They are not going to break. I think they just look small in the pics!

9/9/2025 5:02:36 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

It only matters that you are confident Russ. Can't wait to see it on the scale!

9/9/2025 5:37:53 PM

Ontario

Always a good thing when people laugh at the absurdity of giant pumpkins!

9/9/2025 6:22:56 PM

Grittyville, WA

Lol. Gotta love people who dont try to sell you something you dont need, just because you're unsure.

9/9/2025 8:47:42 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Russ, 1" sched 40 steel pipe ,fits perfectly inside a 1 1/4" steel pipe ,be it black or galvanized, of all the pipe sizes those are the closest

9/9/2025 9:01:35 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Sched 10 pipe like you showed in your pic is actually pretty thin

9/9/2025 9:04:30 PM

Missouri

I agree with Dale, schedule 10 is the thin wall pipe, sch 40 would be much stronger. The strength of your setup also depends a lot on your lifting plan. Straight load through the pipe as a column it is incredibly strong, but with any lateral force it is much weaker. If you are just lifting straight up , sliding your pallet under and lowering, there is much less stress compared to trying to rotate the pumpkin, any side to side motion, or if it's not balanced when you lift it off the ground. I can't wait to see it on the scales!

9/9/2025 11:07:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

Trying to remember, I want to say I put 1 1/4 schedule 40 pipe inside 1 1/2 inch square metal and it was snug. I'd like to say more but this discussion is above my pay grade.

9/10/2025 12:40:02 AM