Another Unit Crane [Archive] - RC Truck and Construction

Stuff

02-09-2011, 07:44 PM

Well it arrived in the mail today. Scott's build of the unit crane inspired me to build one myself. Mog and I have all the hauling down pat but nothing for loading! I got some 360 robotic servos on the way to that are about the same strength as Scott's.

They huge package that arrived!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00782-20110209-1801.jpg

It emerges!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00784-20110209-1805.jpg

TA DA!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00785-20110209-1811.jpg

I like the size!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00786-20110209-1820.jpg

Just wonder if a boom extension would be good.

9W Monighan

02-09-2011, 08:12 PM

I think you started a trend Scott:D

Stuff

02-09-2011, 08:30 PM

just looking mine over right now. the string is rotten, there is rope around the rear axle, the front outriggers are bent on one side and the boom is held together with a nail and the end pully is all bent up. ebay's gonna love me... lol

SmallHaul

02-09-2011, 08:58 PM

Go Dean!:D

It'll be cool seeing another Doepke crane run.

rc_farmer

02-10-2011, 11:53 AM

Wow, that gonna be nice.

Stuff

02-11-2011, 09:48 AM

what i got for a bucket.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/bucket.jpg

"It's a brass, highly detailed dragline bucket.

It has one shive to work the bucket. The picture doesn't to the detail justice.

The bucket is fully functional. It has chains and a crossbar.

The scale would be 1:48. (works out to 1:16 for the Unit Crane)

The bucket open is three and a half inches.

The bucket is 1 1/2 inch wide, 1 inch high from the bottom of the bucket to the top of the side rail - not including the teeth, and 1 5/8 inch from the bottom of the teeth to the very highest part of the bucket.

It is also 2 1/2 inches long."

mog

02-12-2011, 05:40 PM

wow sweet bucket where did you ever find that

9W Monighan

02-12-2011, 06:24 PM

That may work out to be about 5/16 cu yd bucket. I wonder how well it will work. I was thinking about getting one of those some day for my extensive dragline bucket collection.

Stuff

02-12-2011, 07:29 PM

well from the measurements scott got i think its about scale. might get a bigger bucket in the future but this has all the goodies. shiv, chains, etc.

Stuff

02-15-2011, 10:43 AM

servos arrived today. just gotta wait for the bucket and string right now.

Jared

02-16-2011, 12:49 AM

Southgate

02-16-2011, 04:55 AM

Yay! More cable machines! I'll be watching this. I've had pretty good luck with using braided fishing line rather than string. It's stiffer like cable and you can get different diameters depending on what test you buy. Just make sure it's fairly round and not the flattened stuff. I use Stren.

I'm just catching up with the action here. Cranes are always cool in my book.

You might look into braided silk fishing line on eBay. I use it on my 1'25 crane, but it is strong enough for larger scales. It will cut your hands before it will break, if it's not rotton. And it looks like cable; black, round, not flat. Dan

Stuff

02-16-2011, 09:34 AM

the stuff i have coming is braided string. looks like cable. dunno strength yet. reason i got it was it comes with re-string instructions lol

SmallHaul

02-16-2011, 10:12 AM

Dean, I use 2mm black nylon cord. As soon as you posted up that you bought a crane I searched all through my e-mails and paypal to try and find out where I bought the cord from and couldn't find the place. I think I bought it from a venetian blinds manufacturer.

The nylon cord is very strong and you can melt the ends. What is nice is you can make a single knot to tie it and just slightly melt the knot to keep it from coming loose.

Stuff

02-16-2011, 10:16 AM

hmmm what i got coming is 18 feet long. should be enough for now i think.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350278205831&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_684wt_1139

tracksntreadslou

02-19-2011, 02:32 PM

Hey dean Gona be a cool build with not having to break the bank to load those trucks you guys have ...Are you thinking of using that truck chassis and just mounting the house on it?

Stuff

02-19-2011, 07:49 PM

not really lol. i kinda like the idea of pulling it around lol. I do want to make an extention to put in at the half way mark. its a bit short at ground level.

Stuff

02-21-2011, 10:19 PM

Well a few updates today. Got out to Martins today to work on the Unit Crane. Think he just wanted to see it more then anything but then we started working on it lol.

first off we got the cab off the chassis
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00801-20110221-1503.jpg

I noted the main up boom was bent. infact quite a bit was bent. hard to tell some places.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00802-20110221-1525.jpg

Martin machined up some spindles
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00803-20110221-1623.jpg

Got the servos mounted to some aluminum.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00805-20110221-1628.jpg

mounted spindles
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00812-20110221-1709.jpg

got the old hand driven cranks out
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00813-20110221-1720.jpg

got a rough opening made and the servos sitting in there
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00818-20110221-1820.jpg

got it stringed up temp
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00821-20110221-1835.jpg

got the clam on
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00823-20110221-1836.jpg

then we had to go play in the flax. took some vids but i gotta get them on the lappie
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00825-20110221-1908.jpg

SmallHaul

02-21-2011, 10:26 PM

Great progress Dean & Martin! It will be cool to see vids.

Stuff

02-21-2011, 10:28 PM

lol putting them together now.

Hey Scott, I noticed our Unit Crane chassis are different. your had some ratchet or driven swivel for the cab? Also do we have the string ran right?

SmallHaul

02-21-2011, 10:47 PM

Doepke made some that had a thumb wheel to rotate the crane.

Here is a pic that might help with routing the string.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff66/scottmaxxin/crane24ant.jpg

Stuff

02-21-2011, 10:53 PM

by golly i think we got it right!

for your top servo mount, does it bend down then go to a standoff and bolt to the floor?
Also how is the angle aluminum mounted at the floor?

SmallHaul

02-21-2011, 11:03 PM

by golly i think we got it right!

for your top servo mount, does it bend down then go to a standoff and bolt to the floor?
Also how is the angle aluminum mounted at the floor?

The top mount is only attached at the rear. The bottom angle aluminum has a threaded hole and has one screw coming up from the bottom, towards the front. I made the assembly like a "wedge" and the two mounting points just secure the assembly. Remember that all of the drums only pull in one direction...

Stuff

02-22-2011, 12:35 AM

video is done.

http://blip.tv/file/4796983

should be on youtube tomorrow.

SmallHaul

02-22-2011, 08:17 AM

Cool you got it running.:) It does look like you have the ropes routed properly.

tc1cat

02-22-2011, 09:34 AM

Many thanks to Stuff and Small Haul for the well documented conversions of these older toys. Any chance one of you might put a motor and driveline under one of the cranes?

Lynn

Stuff

02-22-2011, 09:39 AM

LOL everyone wants one of them. Scott is making a tracked one and i think im gonna just pull mine around for now lol. kinda expensive upgrade to it for it to move so little. Scott's tracked one is gonna use a separate rc gear for the tracks and i dont blame him. he would have to get one of those center things that lets you run the wires down and being servo that would 6 wires worth and not cheap to do!

Stuff

02-22-2011, 11:43 AM

Also some info on those servos. Apparently it only has one metal gear... but it does have dual ball bearings.

Modulation: Analog

Torque:
4.8V: 201.4 oz-in (14.50 kg-cm)
6.0V: 213.9 oz-in (15.40 kg-cm)

Speed:
4.8V: 0.19 sec/60°
6.0V: 0.16 sec/60°

not sure what speed works out to but it seems fast enough for me!

mog

02-23-2011, 08:08 PM

them center "things" dean are called slip rings i have heard of ppl using ball bearing. i never try my self yet. just make shere you get steel ball's.

Stuff

02-23-2011, 11:23 PM

them center "things" dean are called slip rings i have heard of ppl using ball bearing. i never try my self yet. just make shere you get steel ball's.

whoops i ment centering things. but yea a metal ring would work to.

Stuff

02-25-2011, 12:34 PM

this is what i plan to do for an extension of the boom. see how it goes out then back in for thickness? well at the unit crane's hinge point i want to add an extension like Scott did. should make loading trucks easier!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/Boomextention.jpg

also this crane is for sale on kijiji in alberta :P dont ask why i was looking that up lol

mog

02-25-2011, 11:48 PM

how much

Stuff

03-08-2011, 10:29 PM

well so far the string arrived, and today the bucket and the magnet arrived. magnet is lame but it was dirt cheap.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00858-20110308-2122.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00859-20110308-2122.jpg

get a feeling how small this stuff is?
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/IMG00861-20110308-2125.jpg

another rant. why the h-e-double hockey sticks would you paint up brass parts and brass chain.. *facepalm*

Southgate

03-14-2011, 07:05 AM

Anybody who would cut up a vintage toy, especially a crane, and power it up with RC stuff...is OK in my book! I love this stuff! Dan

Stuff

03-14-2011, 09:23 PM

The way I see it, we are giving these toys a new life. Sure we might be changing and cutting them up, but for the greater good, not a scrap pile.

Southgate

03-15-2011, 04:21 AM

...And as long as it's OUR toys, well, now they're better toys!

I have plans to power up this 1/25 crane eventually.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/VariousPictures523.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/VariousPictures526.jpg

It won't be self contained though. it will be mounted on a diorama, and the motors will be under the table. the upper unit will be fully functional, the tracks will be planted. I may build a truck type carrier chassis for it however. It too would be mounted to the dio. I did a similar convesion on an O scale (1/48) Northwest crane, smaller than this one. It was for a guy with an elaborate big bux model railroad. The crane worked well. I didn't have a digital camera then.

Stuff

03-15-2011, 10:20 AM

Ah, kinda like the demo that the coal mines have. its not wireless RC and they have a slot cut out that the cables follow along. Mind you I havent seen one since i was a kid but there has to be a dragline RC sitting in someone's garage or something that worked at the mines...

Stuff

03-21-2011, 12:34 AM

So I got out to Mog's today again. Lucky bugger gets to go to Vegas monday for the big iron show.

got the vex gear kit in
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00002.jpg

Got the bottom off the crane house
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00007.jpg

not without a fight
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00009.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00008.jpg

got the gear mounted
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00001.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00006.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00003.jpg

Got it back together
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00012.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00013.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00016.jpg

Time to play!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00018.jpg

Martin got a good bucket full!
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00020.jpg

Filling the truck
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00023.jpg

And that is a bout as far as we got before the radio started freaking out. then the bucket lift servo has seemed to stopped working.. gotta take a better look at it i guess.

oh well next time!! gotta make Mog a good video to!

Lil Giants

03-21-2011, 01:16 AM

Making some good headway on the project Dean, what's next to tackle?

Stuff

03-21-2011, 01:20 AM

extending the boom and getting a good radio to use in it.

SmallHaul

03-21-2011, 08:01 AM

Nice progress dean. Is that pinion gear splined and meant to be used on a servo or is it pressed on?

Stuff

03-21-2011, 10:45 AM

Nice progress dean. Is that pinion gear splined and meant to be used on a servo or is it pressed on?

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a379/ANTheStuff/RC/-Unit%20Crane/EstevanNo5-20110320-00003.jpg

its drilled out to the servo head's size minus teeth and then pressed on. Martin had a heck of a time getting it squared in the lathe and then to get it to drill without slipping.

Stuff

04-10-2011, 11:11 PM

So I would have a nice video up here for you guys but my bucket up servo has kicked the bucket. got 2 more coming. one to replace and one for backup.

Also got hobby king 6 channel radio and 2 receivers on the way. was 22$ for radio and receiver! and its 2.4 ghz

rockNmayhem

04-10-2011, 11:38 PM

Wow that is cheap even for Hobby King. Which radio did you get? I was looking at a couple but I'm not quite sure if it's worth the $64 for the cheapy or if I'd rather go with a fancy 9ch futaba for my excavator.

Stuff

04-11-2011, 01:23 AM

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9042
Hobby King 2.4Ghz 6Ch Tx & Rx V2 $22.99
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/catalog/HK-T6XV2-M1(2).jpg

Southgate

04-11-2011, 05:52 AM

Stuff

04-12-2011, 11:55 AM

Hey, Stuff, I'm intrigued by this radio. My crane's upper unit requires 5 channels, and I have a 4 and a 2 channel radio(s), but I would like to run on a single radio rather than juggling two at a time. The only other 6 channel ones I've seen are pretty expensive. Do you know the max voltage the receiver can operate on? I'm running my Hitec at 8+ volts.

their info states:

This transmitter requires a PC to modify any of the channel variables including mixing and servo reversing.

They also sell the USB cable to do the above.

What i need to know is does that have to be done to use this radio for the ESCs and servos in our cranes, or will it work already?

Do you have your radio already, and if so, what do you think of it? Dan.(pretty green at RC stuff still)

They do have more channel radios there but more money of course.

the usb cable is needed to change the radios configuration. like to change the direction of the switches etc.

as for voltage, i havent a clue. my order is on backorder because the stupid usb cable is backordered. All i can hope for is that they get in soon and get to me about the same time my replacement servo arrives. It sucks seeing the truck/trailer/crane sitting on the coffee table and not being able to play with the crane!

link to reciever - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12901
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/catalog/HK-T6A-V2.jpg
Rumors it works with the Turnigy 9x radio to.

4.8V min, 5v recomended, no more then 6v max according to discussion forums.

hawgfanman

04-12-2011, 03:41 PM

Where did you find those servos?

Stuff

04-12-2011, 03:46 PM

Where did you find those servos?

On Ebay. Googled around to find some strong servos then a thread came up anout these robotic 360 servos then tried ebay. Got them from ayberr or something like that. Cheap and free shipping but no warranty.

I'd look it up but I'm on my cell. Sorry!

Stuff

10-17-2011, 03:54 PM

Dusted her off, put in the new radio, took it to the show. found out the wire lead for the bucket up/down is foobared...

http://youtu.be/eF6qWyDOP0o

Stuff

12-05-2011, 02:11 PM

this is from the King of Obsolete and that kinda looks like a unit crane in the back ground...

9W Monighan

12-05-2011, 02:57 PM

I haven't heard much of the King for a while. He used to post on the ACMOC site quite a bit 3-4yrs ago.

Stuff

12-05-2011, 02:59 PM

his "new fangled" computer broke on him so he hauled out the old one.. again lol

Stuff

10-17-2014, 11:44 AM

So little update to this old old thread. I got the crane out the other day, pulled that one servo that went bad and put in a new one. I have a 4 channel radio that came with my mercedes 1838 and it works well for being FM lol.

http://photos-b.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/10735371_1498678933748537_2069620686_n.jpg

and short video
http://instagram.com/p/uLnc16mJtP/

modelman

10-17-2014, 12:29 PM

Nice little model you have. I recognize that swing gear you are using. I bought a bag of those and they seem to work pretty good. I noticed in the video that your swing is starting and stopping instantly and causing the bucket to swing from side to side. That,s okay on a small model but you would have big problems with a larger machine. Just my observation but real draglines cannot operate like that. Nice model though. Another old toy saved!!!

pumptech

10-17-2014, 03:50 PM

Good to see your back on it ,looking good

Stuff

10-17-2014, 09:47 PM

Stuff

10-28-2019, 01:51 PM

Back at it for another Estevan Model Engineering Show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTjBc1NA_3c

https://scontent.fyqr1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/73169931_1421160514718858_4518909416254210048_o.jp g?_nc_cat=106&_nc_oc=AQk3LLPXmn0D__dKt7Bala3f3rOJWyVaINN4Cak8RQv 4_TTfugpkB9cNLkPeW-Pqlm4&_nc_ht=scontent.fyqr1-1.fna&oh=41183e24baf103f3fe737f4d11f39cfd&oe=5E4F02C1

frizzen

10-29-2019, 12:14 AM

Stuff

11-20-2019, 03:38 PM

Nice video, looks like you've got it running really well.

Which dragline bucket are you running on that one?

I remember you were asking a while ago, this guy has 2 sizes of boom extensions and does international shipping
https://www.toydecals.com/doepke_parts.htm

Dragline bucket was an Ebay find. I believe it was 1/150th scale and its all brass.

I do need to get those extensions. Originally that guy would not ship to Canada :cop: he was quite strict about that.

I would like to find a bigger scale looking bucket but all I find is 3-400$ ones that are models!