Extensible boom with manual section stored in base

A method of improving the load carrying capacity of a multi-section telescopic boom that progressively includes from inner end to outer end a base section supported for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a manual section, a mid-section, and a tip section including head machinery adapted to carry a load;

• which sections are progressively lighter toward the outer end of the boom when the weight of said head machinery is excluded;
• said boom sections being extended and retracted by a single hydraulic ram including a cylinder connected to said mid-section and a piston aided by an extend-retract cable, the cable being trained around sheaves on the outer end of the cylinder and on the inner end of the mid-section and having end portions connected to the inner and outer ends of said manual section and an intermediate portion connected to the inner end of said tip section;
• said method including the steps of extending the manual section, the mid-section and the tip section only when full boom length is required to reach and carry the load;
• and storing the heavy manual section in the base section leaving the lighter mid and tip sections extended when extension of the mid and tip sections is sufficient to reach and carry the load;
• said method additionally comprising the steps of selectively attaching said piston to said base section for extending and retracting said manual section relative to said base section, locking said manual section in selected position, releasing the piston rod from said base section, and reconnecting said piston to said manual section for selectively extending and retracting said mid and tip sections relative to said base and manual sections.