DIY Demolition Ram Pole for Remote Two-Storey Building

[MikePhua]

Introduction
When faced with the task of demolishing a two-storey country building without access to large excavators, one can consider constructing a demolition ram-type extension pole mounted on a tracked loader’s bucket. This article outlines how such a DIY "demo pole" concept can be designed and executed, adds expert terminology notes, supplies additional design suggestions and safety tips, and enriches the presentation with anecdotal context and recent industry coverage.
Background & Industry Context
In the world of earth-moving attachments, the concept of a “Demo Pole” is not new. For example, the company formerly known as Daniel Mfg (now Omni Attachments) markets a demo pole for skid-steer loaders: the specification lists an overall length of 11 ft, working pole length of 10 ft, a pole tube of 4″ square × ½″ wall high-strength steel tube, and a total weight of roughly 500 lb.
This shows the kind of scale, materials and design one might draw from when building a custom version.
In a real-world DIY forum scenario, a user planned to attach such a pole to a tracked loader (a FL10 type machine) to knock down wall sections from a distance rather than climbing or punching from within.
In practice, demolition attachments like this represent an industry niche: mounting a steel ram, pole or boom on a loader bucket to push or punch structural elements rather than relying solely on bucket digging or hydraulic shears. This offers advantages in rural settings, where terrain is lighter, access limited, or budget excludes full excavators.
Terminology note:

• “Quick-attach plate” (QA plate) — the standardized mounting interface between loader/bucket and attachment.
  
• “Ram action” — in this context means a sudden push or impact force outward, rather than slow sustained pressure.
  
• “Working length” — the effective length of the pole portion that extends beyond the bucket to engage structure.
  
• “Hook-up load” — the load the machine must handle (pole + structure resistance) before tipping or overstressing components.
  

Design Considerations & Custom Build Steps
Here we break down key design elements and steps, assume you plan to adapt the concept to a tracked mechanical loader rather than a skid-steer.

1. Machine suitability and mounting
   • Verify loader’s rated lift capacity and bucket breakout force. For a tracked loader, ensure that adding the pole (~500 lb or custom weight) plus the dynamic impact load from wall push is safely within margin.
     
   • Use a quick-attach or welded plate compatible with the bucket; maintain bucket articulation and tilt capability.
     
   • Ensure secure bolting and welds between plate and loader. Include mechanical fasteners plus plate welding for safety.
     
   • Consider the loader’s stability: when pushing a wall with a long pole, the machine may see tipping moments; build an earth ramp behind the loader to increase ground clearance and create a run-up as one operator described: “we can easily build an earth ramp… once you push like a ram it should come down like a domino like a house of cards.”
     
2. Pole construction
   • Use a high-strength steel tube: the commercial model uses 4″ square × ½″ wall. At 10′ working length the structural bending and shear loads are significant.
     
   • Include reinforcement: a common DIY suggestion was to use an I-beam or H-beam section for the ram to resist bending. For example, converting an I-beam into a ram pole when adapted for heavy impact.
     
   • Ensure welds are done to proper standards: full-penetration welds at joints, pre-heat if required, use of appropriate E70XX electrodes, inspection for cracks.
     
   • At the free end of the pole, include a wear or impact pad—either a hardened plate or replaceable shoe—to engage the target wall.
     
   • Provide anchoring or connection back to the loader bucket: bracing, gussets, trunnions if pivot action is required.
     
3. Operational setup
   • Approach the building with caution: assess wall thickness, material (brick, block, CMU, timber frame), presence of reinforcement, adjacent structure stability. As one expert noted: “It really depends on what the building details are, material, condition, the site condition.”
     
   • Use the earth ramp approach: create a sloped earthen ramp behind the loader to give ground clearance and enable the loader to drive up and push the pole upward and forward, rather than puncturing straight ahead.
     
   • Use controlled push-force: engage the pole into the wall, apply hydraulic push gradually until failure; avoid sudden jerks that may cause loader rollback or pole detachment.
     
   • Safety boundary: ensure no personnel are in collapse zone; the “domino effect” of a knocked wall section can result in unpredictable failure.
     
4. Supplementary options & variations
   • Instead of a fixed ram-pole, consider mounting a boom or articulating arm for adjustable reach if working at variable heights.
     
   • For low-height buildings, you could mount the pole at slight upward angle to strike wall at mid-height rather than ground level.
     
   • If the structure allows, use cables or chains to assist collapse: one commenter suggested threading chains through openings and pulling the wall down from a safer distance.
     
   • Consider adding a hydraulic shock absorber or rubber buffer at the base of the pole to reduce rebound loads on the loader.
     

Small Story: A Rural Country Demolition
In a quiet Italian countryside in 2023, a contractor faced the task of removing a two-storey red-brick farmhouse whose second floor walls had deteriorated and were considered unsafe to climb. Instead of bringing in a tracked excavator with long reach—which would have required access road widening and extra cost—they opted for a custom-built ram pole mounted to their existing tracked loader. They built a gentle earthen ramp behind the machine, welded a 10 ft long steel tube to a bucket-mounted plate, backed the loader up to the building, engaged the pole at the base of the upper floor wall, and applied hydraulic pressure. With a crunch the wall section tilted outward and collapsed in one piece, falling safely into the yard away from the house’s foundation. The contractor then bulldozed the debris and cleared the site—all with minimal equipment and cost. This story illustrates how smart adaptation and engineering can allow demolition where conventional equipment is not feasible.
Recent News & Trends
• The attachment market for skid-steer and compact track loaders is showing growth as more contractors adopt multi-purpose machines with quick-attach frames. The legacy of Daniel Mfg transitioning into Omni Attachments demonstrates this: founded in 1987, the firm has restructured under its third generation and continues to expand its product range for demolition, land-clearing and material-handling attachments.
• Demolition attachments ranked among top retrofit options for urban redevelopment and interior-demolition tasks, according to equipment-directory listings.
• A trend toward miniaturized demo poles (“Mini Demo Pole”) is emerging to serve tighter urban or indoor demolition jobs where full-scale excavators cannot operate.
Summary & Recommendations

• When demolishing a structure without the use of large excavators, a ram-type extension pole mounted on a loader bucket is a viable alternative.
  
• Ensure your machine’s capacity exceeds the combined weight of the pole and expected impact loads.
  
• Use high-strength steel tubing (for example 4″ sq × ½″ wall) or a welded I-beam equivalent for the pole.
  
• Build a safe operational setup: include earth ramp, clear fallback zone, and anchoring.
  
• Prior to initiation, inspect the building’s material, structural condition, and site space to decide best attack method.
  
• Use industry-grade mounting plate, secure welds, and ensure all safety protocols (reduced personnel in hazard zone, proper machine maintenance).
  
• Consider budget and space constraints: custom-build vs commercial product, rental vs purchase.
  
• Document the process with photos and log equipment usage to refine future projects.
  

Terminology Glossary

• Bucket Quick-Attach: A standardized plate that allows rapid swapping of attachments on a loader.
  
• Breakout Force: The maximum pushing force a loader’s bucket can exert when penetrating material.
  
• Ram-Action: Sudden force delivered by impacting or pushing, as opposed to gradual pressure.
  
• Working Length: The portion of the tool or attachment that extends beyond its mounting and performs the primary function.
  
• Impact Pad: A replaceable hardened plate at the end of a ram-pole to absorb wear and distribute force.
  

Conclusion
Constructing a demolition ram pole for a loader is a creative engineering solution for demolition in constrained environments. Drawing on documented commercial specs and forum-based experience, one can design a pole with appropriate materials and mounting, execute safe operation with earth-ramp assistance, and carry out a building demolition efficiently. With proper planning, welding, loader matching and safety awareness, this DIY approach can deliver professional results at lower cost.