1/25 6 Axle Lattice Crane

[Southgate]

This is my reason for joining this forum, this 1/24 crane. I wish I knew about you guys when I started on this, probably could have saved me a lot of trouble. BUT, Despite my prior lack of RC experience, the crane is fully operational as far as I want it to be. Still this is very much a WIP, a lot of work yet to do on almost every feature of the crane.

With a 3 channel RC setup, the carrier drives at a nice slow speed, and all 6 front wheels steer.There is a motor-gearhead in each of the rear hubs rather than using differentials. The separate motors-setup has no problem with differentiating, it can do tight turns without pushing or dragging any of the drivers. The 3rd channel operates a separate feature I'll go into later if anyone's interested.

The upper unit is fully RC functional too; slewing,(rotation) boom lift and drum are controlled by a 4 channel airplane radio. Slewing requires 2 channels: on for direction, one for speed. I tried to use a reversable ESC but this little motor wouldn't have it, so I devised another way to control it.

You just can't get a close up overall picture of a crane!
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2130057.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2130055-1.jpg

Here are some features. I'l try to cut the blah-blah and let the pix do the talking mostly.

The boom, live mast and gantry all lay down realistically for transportation mode, and they pull up and lay down hands-off, except to guide the pendants out of their own way when laying it down. Even a real crane requires hands on for this.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2180116.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2130055-1.jpg

In fact the model is "self erecting", it does all the lifting of any components needed for operation. again hands on are required only where this is needed on the real machines.

I'm not going to make a habit of driving it in the dirt, but I wanted to see the front and rear wheel equalization working...
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2130055-1.jpg

You can see that in the extreme here.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/CopyofP2170083.jpg

Made of aluminum, steel and brass, she tips the scales at about 29 lbs. The cosmetic bodywork will be plastics, mostly.

3 steer axles:
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P4100742-1.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P5310093.jpg

Pretty early on I was forced to the conclusion that building a crane would require a lathe and mill. I managed the funds (sold a truck) and got a Sherline 4400 lathe and a model 2000 vertical mill.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Turningrearrims014.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2120047.jpg

Now I can make some parts!

There are lots of other picturs, I'd be glad to share, but I need to go run an errand, so I'll be back. Thanks for looking Dan.

[SmallHaul]

Welcome Dan, that is one incredible crane! Nice work.

I have a sherline as well and it is fun to use.

Where did you get the tires? Can you take a picture of it with a soda can next to it for size reference?

[9W Monighan]

Welcome to the board. I'm sure one of us can help out in any way with all of our own individual areas of expertise. I have a friend in MD. who I need to have post here, that's building a 1/25th scale LIEBHERR LR1400 crawler crane out of brass. I'm helping him with the gearing and larger machine work since his Sherline machinery is too small for some parts. Seems like from our older GT board when somebody had trouble with a build we all put our two cents worth in and came up with a cure.:D

[Southgate]

Thanks, Guys! Scott, the tires came from AMT IH Payhaulers. I'll get some size reference pictures on here later, 9W. Please, do whatever it takes to get your friend to post and share his crane!

Here's kind of a size ref shot. That's a 1/25 dodge van based service truck next to it here.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P4200766.jpg

This is an older picture. The frame has been shortened about 2 inches between the wheel bases since this pic was taken, and that black box containing batteries and controls has been shortened too.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4300041.jpg

[SonoranWraith]

That build looks great. Nice work on making the parts. Styrene skills to be seen soon!

[ddc333]

Most impressive you have some amazing skills there

[JAMMER]

Southgate you are doing a very nice job keep it up. Ed

[Cossett]

Hi Southgate,

Welcome to this forum,

Been watching you build this over on The Truckstop forum and I'm glade you brought your crane over here cause it's a beast & making it in 1/25 takes some talent

Cheers Cossett

[Espeefan]

Southgate, this is incredible! I have never seen anything like this before. Words do not describe how amazing this build is. This definitely ranks up there as being one of the coolest builds I ever seen. I'm surprised you decided to settle for 1/25 scale, but I imagine anything larger would require you to keep in a garage of it's own, and then you would only be able to play with it outside! For 1/25 scale, the detail is awesome. Love the suspension and the three steering axles! The crane's inner workings are something to see as well. Very cool! Thanks for sharing, and good luck, as the project continues. I'm looking forward to the updates.

[Southgate]

Thanks for the responses!
Cossett, I joined this forum as a result ot the invite you posted at...was it the truck stop or commercial? Anyway thanks for the link!

As far as my skills go, I think it's been more an issue of determination. I don't like soldering, for one thing. I learned what I know about machining on this project, and that has been a blast so far. With a ton of trial and error, this thing has changed so many times i could almost assemble all the original pieces into it's former self! Plus, it started out as a stationary carrier with a cable tethered power pack for the upper, that all went bye-bye, and the learning curve started all over. RC had some hidden challenges.

Styrene is my comfort zone, but I usually give this project the summer off, and this is it's 3rd or 4th. So the body work is waiting, and I'm thinking about designs on that. Lotsa ways it could go.

1/24- 1/25 is my scale of choice for everything other than HO. You'll probably notice that the crane is usually perched on an unfinished HO model railroad. Anyway, the crane will have it's own fleet of tractor trailers in the same paint scheme. Building it in 1/25 has proven harder than I thought, space is at an extreme premium in both the carrier and the upper unit. There is even a battery in the carrier's fuel tank to help save space. The frame is loaded with either mechanisms (more on that soon), or batteries. There is room in the upper unit for one more drum (winch) but it would require another channel. I may use another 2 channel radio to operate it later on.

The crane is freelanced, but follows closely real crane designs, fairly on the modern side. I couldn't find complete enough drawings or a prototype that sits still long enough to pattern after, and I got tired of looking and waiting, or finding one that could be mechanized using the available motors and such.

One of the mechanisms in the carrier's frame is this lifting unit that lifts the stack of counterweights onto or off of the upper unit's deck.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P2250229.jpg

A real crane stacks it's counterweights on the deck with either a short boom, or a special setup boom. Then when it has them stacked on, it rotates 180, and hydraulics in the carrier lowers the set onto some kind of hooks or platform on the upper. This was a pain, but when I saw a real crane do this, I HAD to have it on mine!

The idea is that the little "cart" rides in a set of ramps. The card is held in it's relative position on the frame by a tie rod. The ramps push or pull under it, raising or lowering it as need be. The ramps are driven to and fro by a long threaded rod with a motor-gearhead. (that 3rd channel on the radio is a shift control) This doesn't have or need speed control, just a servo that kicks a DPDT switch, and then limiting switches at either end of the throw with diode bypasses for change of direction (polarity). It works like a champ, has no trouble lifting the 8 lbs of counterweights.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P2230219.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P2190202-1.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P3230799.jpg

Counterweights here are on the carriers lift unit. I have machined out more clearance room since thia picture was taken off the underside of the deck

Weights now on the upper unit. It look like a gap between the deck and weights, but there were spacers in there. That has been improved a bit too. Operational for about 2 years or so, I still get a kick out of watching this whole process work!
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/P3230805.jpg

As on a real crane, the gantry can not fold down with the weights in place for transport, but the crane can move around, and can even carry a load as long as the carrier and upper are in alignment, with the counterweights facing forward, the load behind.

I mentioned motors earlier. I have some sources I can link you to if anyone is interested in these gearhead motors for other mechanized purposes. I could very easily see an operating 1/16 wrecker unit using these guys. (I'm not gonna get into another scale myself...huh-uh)

Still more later if anyone is following...Dan

[ihbuilder]

Dan , that thing is a master piece . I 'll be needing gear heads for my rotator . I got a few sites I'm looking at but a few more would be a help .


IHSteve

[Southgate]

Dan , that thing is a master piece . I 'll be needing gear heads for my rotator . I got a few sites I'm looking at but a few more would be a help .


IHSteve

Thank you, Steve. Here's a link to a motor that is close, if not identical to the ones I used the most on my crane for the wheel drives and the 2 drums. The good thing is that it will work with reversable ESCs. I've tried smaller motors that will not work with the type of pulse an ESC makes. But these do fine and make a ton of torque.

The bad thing is that they are from UK, will cost ya in shipping. I'd estimate the price per to be about $28.00 before shipping. I used salvaged ones in my crane, didn't know about this place at the time.

My motors in particular:
https://secure.precisionmicrodrives.com/product_info.php?products_id=82

The home site:
https://secure.precisionmicrodrives.com/


They measure right at just over an inch around, just over 2 in long. Probably real workable in 1/16, if that's the scale you're working in.

On my drums, the motors actually go inside the drums and attach to a hub inside them to save space, and I used 2 motors per application partly because I got them free at the time. There are smaller motors to be had, but I question their use with ESCs, unless you know something I don't. If you do, PLEASE share that with me!!! I use RC racing "12 turn" ESCs, because they were all that was available. Cost more than the motors they drive!

I once even joined an RC racing forum to pick guys brains on the topic of reversable slow speed, low drain-high resistance/impedance motor control, but they didn't have any suggestions, they are all about speed. This forum is more what I hoped to find for some sort of tech support.

I have to admit, I have not posted in other peoples threads yet, I'm just kinda taking it all in, and am blown away by what some guys are building!!! And Im a bit lost here too. I'm going to have to learn what some of the terms mean and such. But I can tell good model building when I see it, and making it operational at realistic speeds is too cool! Dan

[RCLogger]

Glad you found the site Dan.

how did you set up your out riggers ?

greg

[ihbuilder]

thanks Dan , there are esc's that will work ,I'm sure . I'll have to research it though on the couple of links I have . I'll get back to you on that . If I can run all the functions on my rotator wrecker by screw drive I'll be happy

IHSteve

[BigZracingRC]

WOW! very impressive build!

[Southgate]

Greg, here's a rundown on the outriggers. They are a project unto themselves!


Each arm is milled from 3/8x3/4 aluminum bar. The inner parts of the arms are flat, the majority of the arm is flanged. the tops and sides of the flanged parts are cut a bit narrow so that when painted they won't get scratched off when sliding in an out (done manually. On the real crane I copied, each outrigger is operated by controls on each side the outrigger box itself, not from the cab)

Here are the basic components.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/outrigger9.jpg

The aluminum "box" is square tube, and the plate that separates the arms is 1/8"flat bar. It has channels milled into it , and the arms hava a screw in them to stop the arm at full extension. You assemble the set, insert it in the box and small screws hold it in place.

L shaped brackets attatch to the boxes. (the box goes through it) and pins drilled in the "L" fix it to the frame on the carrier. Thes can be pulled for easy removal of the assembly for loading on transport trucks when weight restrictions require it. (OK, they will look really cool as a flat bed load when they're finished!)
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2110038-1.jpg

Steel rod connectors, (I think they are called) are used for the jacks. They are hex shaped with threads on the inside, Home Depot sells them. To attach them to the arms, a round end was turned on the lathe.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/outrigger1-1.jpg

A hole is drilled in each arm, the jacks inserted and held with a dab of superglue.


These brass tubes were worked to make the outer jack cylinders
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2240138.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2240145.jpg

They are superglued just enought o hold them in place, a clay dam was made. Then a piece of aluminum tube the size of the inner ram was liberally coated with vaseline and inserted up from the bottom to creat a space for the permanent rams, then the whole thing was put on a piece of clay to seal the bottom. Casting resin was poured into the top of the cavity, it is what holds the outer walls in place, and makes a solid top and bottom of the ram cylinder.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2240148.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2250164.jpg

The resin was some old stuff I had on hand, and expanded out the top. I cut it off and filed to shape.


Now, this tube will be attached to the screw, and will move up and down with it, looking like a ram. I'm going to try to find a piece of antennae that has a chrome finish to look better than aluminum.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2250168-2.jpg

The picture with the screw didn't turn out. They will actuallyprobably be "operated" by turning the screw from the top by a small slot cut in the screw. This will be hidden so as not to look like a screw, and the feet of the jacks will hide the screw head there.

I hope this answers any questions, if not, feel free to ask! Dan

[ihbuilder]

Dan , have you looked into these http://banebots.com/pc/ELECTRONICS/BB-0309 I may be getting a bunch of them

IHSteve

[JAMMER]

Dan you are doing some nice work there keep it up. Ed

[RCLogger]

Dan that is a very detailed information regarding the outriggers, thanks. Down the road at some point I may build a cable log loader on a rubber undercarrage, so I have the outrigger hurdle to overcome..

greg

[Romelio]

This is a very interesting build. Great job I can't wait to see it finished!

[dirtpusher9]

Wow, what fine piece of cratfmanship. Look forward to more from you, Dan.

[Southgate]

Dan , have you looked into these http://banebots.com/pc/ELECTRONICS/BB-0309 I may be getting a bunch of them

IHSteve

:eek::eek::mad::mad:WHAT!!!!!!????????

(in my whiniest voice)
Where was this info when I was paying way too much for the ESCs I'm using!!! Oh, if only I had found you guys about a year ago!!! (WAHH!) It would have saved a ton-o-munny, two tons of hard work figuring out how to make this thing work, and about a cubic acre inside that freekin upper unit!!! (snivel, sob)

If you only KNEW the grief I went thru! I had 4 ESCs in the upper unit, all powerful enought to start a real D-8 Cat on a cold day. They wouldn't work on the rotation (slewing) motor, it would jerk very erratically at best. So I replaced it with TWO larger ones to consume enough current to register with the ESC (read: machine out a whole additional motor access and mounting apparatus) Didn't work. Was better, but not acceptable. Then I got to remembering how smooth it ran on tethered DC with a train control for speed, right? I gutted an MRC train power pack and put a servo on the speed control pot, wired it to it's transistor, and that to the motor. All hiding in the bodywork. Works extremely well, but uses a lot of space and 2 channels, speed and direction

BUT!!! (sniff...drying up a bit now)

It's not too late. Please tell me those controllers can handle loads in the 100 milliamp range smoothly,at hyper low speeds? huh-huh-huh? (Just barely pouting still)


I'll be able to convert the slewing back to one channel , making for easier operation, and I'll have that whip line (small lighter duty, faster drum) back in the crane so fast on the 4th channel yer head'll spin, or at least mine will. this will still leave more room in the body than there is now. (starting to smile a little)

I knew there had to be a way to remote control low speed low drain operations. Had no clue where to start looking. Robotics! Shoot, there are probably tons of forums...

Thanks Steve!!!:)

Greg, do you have a picture of the log loader and outriggers you are talking about?

Thanks for looking, and watching a grown man lose all composure:D

[Southgate]

I just got back from a longer look at that BaneBots site. It's like being whopped up side the head with a board. I'da had this crane done by now and on to the next adventure if I'd known they existed. The prices are unbelievable, especially for US made. The motors they have, the electronics and such...

It makes me want to finish this one up and build another! I had no desire to build another after this one. I thought it was too much. Well, I'm not complaining here, just be aware that I've just had a major eye opening, and it's kinda hard to take, as welcome as it is. Oh, I still like my crane, it has kept the gray matter busy for about 4 years, teaching me good new stuff all along the way, and forcing me to meet challenges I never expected. I do intend to do the upgrades I mentioned above. Those other parts that get taken out and replaced will go into the box of stuff for later use. No waste here!

Then I went and looked at what some of you guys are building in construction equipment. Makes me dizzy for sheer amazement!

I hope I will have some useful info to share with you guys, and not just sit here and soak it off ya.

The question still stands, Steve: Do you know if those Banebot controllers operate these iddybiddy current motors smoothly at SUPER slow speed? That is pivotal.

And, um...How'd I get 5 stars? I've only been here a couple days, trying just to stay in my seat. Just curious. Dan

[ihbuilder]

Dan those esc's should work , I have the larger 1 in my paystar with a 75t lathe motor no problems and smooth you also could look at http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/small_single_channel_speed_controllers.html . this place compiles a bunch of manufactures together . now read specs carefully some are 1 direction . I had the same prob as you when I started and thanks to these guys and a lot of i net research from a long gone forum . As for 5 stars you earned it :)

IHSteve

P.S your fitting right in with this league

[Southgate]

Thank you, Steve. I'm honored. One more question, probably a dumb one...What's a "Post lizzard"?

[sparkycuda]

Welcome to the site, and it's your craftsmanship that so quickly earned the 5 Star rating! I'm very new to this hobby and can attest that the folks on here are willing to share and help you with anything. Mechanical, electronics, hydraulics - someone has probably done it before or have experience with it. Just ask! It's a great place to learn.

Ken Sharp

[tracksntreadslou]

Dan awsome build ...you get 5 star from me too...Looking like you are gona get a few spare parts ...Maybe convince you to jump to 1/14 scale lol...You have some great ideas as well and thinking outside the box to make things work ...I envy you for tackleing such a small scale...The machine Greg was thinking about is this one ...this is a large scale non working model at a local machine shop on the island.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x63/tracksntreadslou/010-8.jpg

[td9clyde]

wow!!!!! nice work good looking crane now you can rerail your trains :)

[Southgate]

wow!!!!! nice work good looking crane now you can rerail your trains :)

Truth be told, the trains at 1/87, the crane at 1/25, I have on occasion absent mindedly knocked the train cars off the tracks when playing around with the crane! gotta watch the level of that hook. This crane coud be used to rerail G scale trains, I'm sure. That could be fun. Dan

[Mrfish55]

Terrific job on the metalwork, I can appreciate the brass work in the boom, I would never dream of taking that on in 1/25 scale, I am half way thru a 75' ladder truck in 1/13 scale and find it difficult to make everything fit, good luck with the rest, will be watching it progress.

[Southgate]

[QUOTE=tracksntreadslou;3066]Dan awsome build ...you get 5 star from me too...Looking like you are gona get a few spare parts ...Maybe convince you to jump to 1/14 scale lol...You have some great ideas as well and thinking outside the box to make things work ...I envy you for tackleing such a small scale...The machine Greg was thinking about is this one ...this is a large scale non working model at a local machine shop on the island.
What exactly is that? It looks kinda like a logging yarder. Cool machine, in any scale.

Mr fish, I once powerewd up a crane in 1/48 scale. full carbody function; boom lift, swing, and winch. I cheated however. All the works were hiddeen o9nder the table (benchwork) that the crane sat on on a O scal train layout. (not mine)

[td9clyde]

well you like cranes ....if you want to rerail trains you need a 583 sideboom lol all it is is a D-8 H with a boom on the left side from sittin in the seat and draw works on the right with a flip out counter weight then you have a dozer and a crane lol you can find 583 sidebooms on you tube

[FabOne]

SUPER build Dan. The detail is great. The same in 1/14 scale would be even easier (LOL).

Terry

[Southgate]

Terrific job on the metalwork, I can appreciate the brass work in the boom, I would never dream of taking that on in 1/25 scale, I am half way thru a 75' ladder truck in 1/13 scale and find it difficult to make everything fit, good luck with the rest, will be watching it progress.

I might mention something that might be of interest to anyone building anything with lattice or rungs. It's much easier to drill holes in the square brass tubing and then insert the rungs or lattice pieces into the holes, then solder. That way the pieces dont have to be cut to exact length, and it makes for a stronger joint. I pin the tubes to a board all straight and square before soldering.

Thank you all for the comments so far:) Dan

[Southgate]

Progress report...I ordered that BaneBots ESC, installed it, and watched as the crane's upper unit can rotate at high speeds, and definately has improved lower speed performance over previous ESCs, but still can't run the motor smoothly at the required SUPER slow speeds. I put it into my box of RC stuff. I think it will work fine for wheeled speed control, but for ultra smooth-slow speed, I'm still having to use the servo turned train throttle mechanism. I do acknowledge that what I am asking of an ESC here is probably well beyond their intended purpose. It will no doubt find it's way into a future project, or it might be useful even on one of the crane's existing applications. At least one real plus is it's compact size, and the price was better than any other reversable ESC I've ever seen.

[ihbuilder]

what kind of radio ? I'm not sure of the term , I think it's trim :confused: If you go to the channel you have your swing motor on there is epa ( end point adjustment ) start reducing the % this should slow it down . found this out yesterday when I could not figure out why rev. was slower than fwd on my tractor . what ever fwd % is set rev % the same .

IHSteve

[9W Monighan]

Perhaps you may need to get a motor with more reduction in the gearing. What are you turning now? Like Steve said too adjust the slow starting of the radio. I didn't know those radios were capable of doing that. That is a cool thing to have. One thing I have noticed on these trucks on here is the speed is right now and same for reverse,no pause to ramp up,not too realistic. On my machine,my 90Volt drives can be adjusted in many ways including ramp up and down speed 0-20 seconds ,torque output min & max speed. My swing is too fast so I have it cut back the speed and the ramp set so the bucket is not swinging back and forth making everything more controllable.

[Southgate]

The motor I'm using has a very high gear ratio. I think it has more to do with the high impedence of the motor Im using, and the pulsating output of the ESC. I won't have time until next week to play around with it, but I do have a couple ideas to try out. If all else fails, the system that is currently in the crane works very well. I'd rather have smooth operation requiring 2 channels rather than jerky ops on one, ya know?

I'll keep ya posted. Thanks, Dan

[kerst]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for your compliments about my Liebherr LTM1800.
I just red your whole post and I can only say: GREAT! What a nice crane! You have done a great job! You must have put a lot of thought into the upper, there is not much space left and it looks all very sturdy and ready to work.
Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more progress pictures,

Kerst

[Blender]

Wow, Southgate, your crane is incredible. I would have been blown away if you squeezed all those functions into a 1:14 scale model, but you've exceeded my wildest dreams. Initially I wouldn't have guessed your crane would even be possible to build at 1:25 scale with all the features you've included. Bravo, sir.

[Southgate]

Thank you for the comments, gents.

Stuffing that equipment in the upper was one thing, but the carrier is just about as stuffed. That mechanism that lifts the counterweights up off the deck so the upper can glide under uses up all the space between the rails for about 8 inches or so.

As the weather has finally gotten cold, I have started back in on this. A few small refinements at first, and now I'm building the deck on the carrier, including the fenders, cab, all the cosmetic stuff. A change in it's looks will start taking place here soon.

Kerst, do you also model plastic trucks in 1/24-1/25? Just curious. That's my favorite scale to work in.

I'm still blown away by your crane, all that machining and engineering is stunning, especially in this scale.

[kerst]

Thank you for the comments, gents.

Stuffing that equipment in the upper was one thing, but the carrier is just about as stuffed. That mechanism that lifts the counterweights up off the deck so the upper can glide under uses up all the space between the rails for about 8 inches or so.

As the weather has finally gotten cold, I have started back in on this. A few small refinements at first, and now I'm building the deck on the carrier, including the fenders, cab, all the cosmetic stuff. A change in it's looks will start taking place here soon.

Kerst, do you also model plastic trucks in 1/24-1/25? Just curious.

No, I stay away from these plastic kits. They are very beautiful and detailed, but i am too rough for that. And i like to play with my cranes, which means overloading it, moving it fully rigged, climbing inclines, go in the sand, etc. The 1/25 or 1/24 scale suits me also very well, not too big, not too small.
I built one crane in 1/20, because Then I could not achieve the whole drive line in a smaller scale, but it is almost too big to handle.
Looking forward to more pictures of your crane,

Kerst

[JAMMER]

This is quite a project and you have been doing a great job keep up the good work. Ed

[Southgate]

Again, thanks for the nice comments.

I have "play" in mind too, and here is an early look at the crane running a couple laps around the back yard to see how it behaves off road. Note that it's set up for transport, no counterweights or boom, beyond the base boom.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P6010100.jpg

The suspensions are equalized to take up some uneven ground, but it's not intended to be a rough terrain crane. If it gets in to too soft of ground, it will bury in and spin the drivers (all rears are driven, fronts just steer)

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P6010102.jpg

I call this a 1/24 model, but it actually may be a bit large as that goes. It could more easily pass as about 1/20 to 1/22 or so, but I want it to fit in with all my 1/24-1/25 models, so I'm making the cabs and other details to match that. There may well be 1/1 cranes out there this size, I just haven't seen them. Link Belt and P&H have some that actually come close in some respects, ang Grove has some that come close in other respects. I'm combining several basic designs to freelance a passably realistic model, even if not specific prototype.

Since it is freelanced, I want to come up with my own manufacturer name. CONCORD is one that I am gravititating toward. Say, CONCORD LT6-4000

L= lattice boom, T= truck type carrier, 6=number of axles. 4000; number of tons (400), plus a zero, as so many crane companies do this! What do you think?

A side note. The basic crane, as this scales out could reasonably be able to lift 400 tons or even more at maximum, but has to be set up properly to do so with a short range, heavy duty boom, and appropriate rigging. I'm building high range boom setup, so it won't be attempting to lift the base unit's full capacity. Maybe down the road, I can build the additional equipment for heavy lifting, that remains to be seen...

Heres a mock up using a Payhauler front end just to look at proportions. Not what I'm going to use
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P6010102.jpg

[Southgate]

Here's an update on this li'l project. I've started on the carrier's deck and bodywork. Styrene is my old comfort zone, it's nice to be working in it here. The cab is styrene, I penciled in the windows for now, but they'll be cut in time.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PA100047.jpg

The raised fender areas will be covered in diamond plate, painted to look like aluminum. The rest of the deck will be whatever color i decide on for the bodywork, to look like steel.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PA100048.jpg


I like how the rear fenders look, leaving the frame extending where the outrigger attaches. Both the front and rear outriggers will remain detachable for transport mode.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PA100049.jpg

That's how it looks as of this writing. More later. Dan

[td9clyde]

looks great!!!! crains and drag lines are cool very nice job

[ihbuilder]

that looks real good Dan http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/smileys/free-happy-smileys-336.gif (http://www.easyfreesmileys.com/facebook-smileys.html)

[sparkycuda]

Nice workmanship on the boom! The whole rig is looking great - keep up the good work!

Nice RR layout in the background. Seems there are quite a few folks on this forum that are also into trains. Particular road or era you model?

Ken

[Southgate]

Thanks, Guys! Ken, I have to admit I haven't been real active on the model RR since I started with the crane, but I am partial to Southern Pacific, and I want to model the general feel of the area I grew up in, Coos Bay Oregon, mid to late 60s.

[dirtpusher9]

Nice work Dan, glad to see you working on it. Still don't understand how you guys do all this soldering without messing up what is right next to it.

[Southgate]

Nice work Dan, glad to see you working on it. Still don't understand how you guys do all this soldering without messing up what is right next to it.

Joe, soldering is not one of my strong points, more a necessary evil. Often I have to clean up joints with a file, whereas a person skilled in soldering can just do a clean joint.

I do use a pencil torch for everything but electrical or electronic wiring. I've never had good success with solereing irons for flat work, and I absolutely HATE soldering guns.

Still, if ya wanna make brass parts, soldering is a necessity, and the joints are strong, and can be reworked if needed. Dan

[ihbuilder]

Joe, soldering is not one of my strong points, more a necessary evil. Often I have to clean up joints with a file, whereas a person skilled in soldering can just do a clean joint.

I do use a pencil torch for everything but electrical or electronic wiring. I've never had good success with solereing irons for flat work, and I absolutely HATE soldering guns.

Still, if ya wanna make brass parts, soldering is a necessity, and the joints are strong, and can be reworked if needed. Dan

Dan I've found that filing or sanding your joints before soldering to give the best results and strength . same for me , irons are for electrical work :p

[Southgate]

Dan I've found that filing or sanding your joints before soldering to give the best results and strength . same for me , irons are for electrical work :p

Yes, I do clean up my joints before soldering. Fit isn't so much the problem, as sometimes I get too much solder in or near the joint, and have to file it away. Overheating a joint can certainly lead to the next nearest joint coming undone, a real pain to deal with. I had to deal with that when makng this whole front end assembly. The trouble was when soldering the spring hangers, but i finally got it whooped.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P5310093.jpg

[sparkycuda]

Really nice work under the front end - axles, springs & hangers, etc! A lot of close and complicated linkage for the steering - a great job of engineering and fabrication. Are your springs brass, phospher bronze or something else?

Ken

[Southgate]

Thank you, Ken. The springs are K&S Brass, curved to look like springs. The "leafs" (leaves?) are simply soldered together. The springs themselves don't flex, but the equalizers in the front end do work, so the machine can move over uneven ground and keep all wheels on the ground. (the rears are equalized too) Dan

[Kid@heart]

Dan, that is an amazing build! I'm contemplating building a crane myself, and will have some questions for you...

Spencer

[Southgate]

I'd be glad to help you with any questions you'd have. Also check out hte cranes in the section called "6x6 8x8 Big boys of the road"

I have been working on this thing lately, but nothing that would show up in pictures, I don't think. Dan

[Southgate]

OK, I've been busy working on the crane, then we got a break in the weather, so I kinda slacked off. but here's what I'd been up to. In order to make straight accurate boom sections, a better way was needed than doing my best at pinning the components to a board. I designed and built, and modified this jig until it worked.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB150134.jpg

One side of the boom is constructed on each side of the jig. Then it is bolted together, and the edge lattices are added in. The big holes are actually recesses so that the aluminum doesn't sink the heat away from the joint.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB150135.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB080125.jpg

This makes assembly go pretty fast, and accurate. The time consuming part is marking and drilling the holes in the brass tube where the lattices solder in place. Building this monster was a pretty big task in itself. It's 2 feet long.

I built 2 new 40 foot (20 inches) boom extensions and put the original one in the jig for a chiropractic adjustment of some warpage. It's much better. The connecting ends weren't done, but that's when the weather got nice...

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB180145.jpg

It seems winter came back, driving me back to the workshop.:) For about 4 years now, I've had nothing but trouble with the base boom on this crane. It was warped and bent, and I've gone to lengths to fix it, with actually favorable results. But one more tweak was needed for an alignment issue with the other sections, and in so doing, it warped way out again. It was time to do what I'd been putting off. I built a new one. The new one is built on the assembly jig too, but set up a bit differently.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2200192.jpg

It is lacking the large sheet metal spans at the bottom, something that I discovered after building the original rather back dated it about 30 years.

So with a shiny new straight and modern base boom, I need to be able to attach the extensions. The original connectors on the existing sections were difficult to work with and really fragile. New ones were fashioned more in line with 1/1 practice.

The old ones were kind of like stinger and receivers, you had to stuff all 4 corners at the same time.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2110154.jpg

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

The new ones can be connected jut 2 at a time, and they allow pivoting, as in 1/1 cranes. Stronger, easier, and more forgiving of necessary handling.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2230217.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2260247.jpg

Making those connectors all fit accurately is just plain hand labor extensive, and time consuming, tedious. But it paid off. Now I can much more easily pin them together and take them apart as needed.

here's a look at all 7 feet, four inches of the boom, including the new base and 2 new extensions.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2260227.jpg

This shot is from a ways back, and then zooming the lense. It condenses the look, showing the number of lattices. (there are exactly 100 peices in a scale 40 foot section) I just like how it looks.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2260234.jpg

The day after I got it this far, I took it over to a friend's house where we played with it for a couple hours. It comes to within about 1/2 inch from his ceiling! Guess who forgot his camera:confused:

The mechanisms all work fine with the extended length, and the outriggers and counterweights really do their job well.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2260233.jpg

A few more pictures...
These spacer-retainers keep the ends at exact tollerances when the connectors are being soldered in place.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2160173.jpg

The brass tube is clamped into place on the jigs by screws and wingnuts.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB180147.jpg

I intend to eventually build a couple more smaller extensions, a scale 10, and 20 footer. But at this point, I'm almost burnt out on boom construction, I'm moving on with getting the cabs built and other cosmetic improvements. More pics as progress is made. Dan

[lorenzo]

Wow, what an amazing work. The jig is interesting too. I have to keep that in mind because I think I'll need something like this in future.
Keep up the good work.
Are you able to make a short movie of the crane in motion?

[ihbuilder]

:eek::eek::eek: I was wandering where you were now that is really nice :eek:

IHSteve

[SmallHaul]

Awesome work! You have tremendous talent and patience.

[9W Monighan]

Yea, I forgot about this build. I see you've graduated into boom building like me. On my boom I used a piece of all-thread to hold my center distance on the base.

[Jared]

Looks awesome! That jig is genius! When I get around to building another crane I'll definitely have to use your idea. My jig was a 2x4 with small nails sticking out 1/4" to hold things in place. It worked but I wasn't exactly thrilled with the results.

[SonoranWraith]

Awesome work to get that boom done. May have been tedious but the result is certainly worth it.

[Southgate]

Thank you, gent's!

Hey, Sonoran... Enjoying 70 degree weather? You did catch a goodly dose of that cold spell, didn't ya? Not that I'd wish it on anyone, but they had snow in SF!

[Stuff]

wow that thing is a monster!! very nice work! dunno how i missed this thread but im glad i found it!

[Southgate]

I've been quietly working away at this thing, here are some updates. Long story short, I rather rebuilt the motor mounting setup in the upper unit, and rearranged a number of other things in there. I added another drum, and electronic speed control, and cleaned up a lot of the cluttered look.

Teardown
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010313.jpg

The new motors and drum are behaving nicely. While in there, I relocated the main power switch that turns all the RC circuits and motor supply power on. Before doing this, I had to remove one or the other side panels to access the switch, that gets old. So I decided to hide the switch in plain sight, where it's real easy to get to. It's mounted high on the back of the unit.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010315.jpg

Here's with the body cabinet in place. Note the turned aluminum thingy there...
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4020319.jpg

And with a newly made air intake mounted to the switch, you simply slide the intake forward or aft to turn it on or off.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4020325.jpg

A month or so ago,I went to work on the cosmetics for a change of pace, here's how the carrier's cab is coming along.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3020268.jpg

This was another long story. I accidently stepped on this cab with an audible crunch. (and some other audible utterings we won't go into) But it was repairable. All the pieces were cut from .060 sheet styrene on the vertical mill. The window openings were channeled from the inside to make the "glass" closer to flush mounted. The partially assembled cab sitting there is for the upper unit. No new progress on it.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3020265.jpg

OK, I'll post this and continue in another reply to keep from over posting pictures.

[Southgate]

Continuing from the last post...

With the new "whipline" drum added to the upper unit, the other end of the boom needed some attention. Some lugs were added to the tip of the boom. These were turned from brass and fastened with silver bearing solder, which was also used as a filler arount the pieces, filed to shape to look like fabricated steel.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3250298.jpg

This boom tip extension, also refered to as a horse head (I didn't make that up, read it somewhere) was fabricated from brass sheet, barstock, and tubing, with aluminum sheaves. I did this just Friday, a cold day outdoors, and I have a cold. Nice way to spend a day and evening indoors.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4090351.jpg

In the back of a 1/25 F-350
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4090353.jpg

Note how the 2 hooks are separated by a nice amount of space...
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4090354.jpg

Another recent improvement was replacing the original plastic sheaves in the reeving with turned solid aluminum ones. The plastic ones were made from HO model train wheels thinned down and laminated together. It worked pretty well, but was a bit of a weak point.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3060282.jpg

That black one is an original, made before I acquired a lathe.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3050273-1.jpg

The live mast was changed to a more modern look, removing all the cross brace clutter and adding a simpler crossmember design. They are not soldered in, but are merely trapped in place loose. This allows the live mast to twist more freely, assisting in equalizing the pendants.

Old
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3070294.jpg

New
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3080298.jpg

I was hoping to have most of this work and some more done by this weekend, to take to a big model show in Portland Saturday, but I've been sick with a cold all week, just didn't have the energy to go anyway. But I'm happy to say things are progressing along on this project, both with new items being added, and other things being improved on. Dan

[Jared]

Looking good! What's this show in Portland? Not that I'll be able to go anyway, but still curious.

[kerst]

You have been bus! Looks really nice!

Kerst

[Southgate]

Looking good! What's this show in Portland? Not that I'll be able to go anyway, but still curious.

It's an NNL function. Model cars and trucks, not usually a lot of trucks. I've been going about every other year or so.

[JensR]

That switch is ingenious!
The whole thing is a beauty - I did 1:24 scale display models (cars and trucks) - I can only marvel at your skills!
BTW, as you indicated that space is a premium (isn't it always?! #sigh#), your receiver looks quite big. You should be able to get a smaller one - unless I am fooled by the rather unfamiliar scale for me!

[dirtpusher9]

Great work, I'm ready to see this thing make a lift. I like the single part line.

[9W Monighan]

I would need more powerful glasses to see and do that work on the horse head. 1/25th has got to be hard to deal with. It's nice to have a lathe to make those tiny sheaves Eh? Very ingenious way of attaching the little wire guards on the sheaves too.

[Southgate]

It's been a while since I posted any new progress, since I usually give the indoor hobbies the summer off. But I did get in the mood to bonk on some steel, and made a front bumper from 3/8x1" steel bar.
Welded it thusly:
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P9051260.jpg


Then ground a contour in the lower edge of it. Then recesses were milled into it for mounting purposes, plus a step for the driver to get in the cab.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P9051266.jpg

Then it was mounted.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB111403.jpg

Now attention could be given to the deck and such. Sheet styrene was used to fill in the rest of the deck. Since it has a big steel bumper, I decided magnets could be used to hold the deck down, and make for easy removal. Theyre the dark gray items
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB121408.jpg

The grills were made from some venting holes on an old DVD player that was discarded. This engine hood has since been moved back some (still working on that). Note that there is a lifted section in the middle of the deck behind the engine. That is the counterweight lifting mechanism, in it's raised position. It lifts the counterweights so that the upper unit can swing in under them. Then the platform lowers, setting them on the upper.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/PB191433.jpg

The headlights are just drawn on with a pen for now, they'll be replaced with scale model ones.

Other progress not visible on camera includes getting a 6 channel transmitter on eBay for a song, and getting it dialed in, replacing the need for the 2 radios I was using to run the upper unit. Also, the boom attaching pins were corroding and making it very hard to move them, so I made all new ones fron stainless steel. A few other adjustments were done in the lifting platform, now everything is working smoothly. I'm exited to be moving forward on this again, and I'll be focusing on the cosmetic scale aspect of it, cabs, deck, etc. I'll be posting as new progress is made. Thanks for looking. Dan

[xilence]

Wow, that is an awesome built. :cool:
Unfortunately you don't see this much on the dutch forums.
Keep up the good work.

[Jared]

Whoa! :eek: A 16V71 in the carrier? That thing should be able to burn rubber! It's looking great; looking forward to more!

[rc_farmer]

Don't know how i missed this one!!!!, but I'm glad i found it :eek::eek: fantastic job.....this is an amazing build!

[Espeefan]

Wow! I'm glad you are still going strong on this project! It's been a while since I first saw it, and you've made some incredible progress! The boom looks awesome, but so does everything else on this build. I'm amazed at what you've been able to accomplish. How do you like your Sherline mill? I bit the bullet and bought myself a Sieg SX2 clone and look forward to getting the bugs worked out of it soon, so I can start making some chips as well. I looked at Sherline mills but they just seemed a little on the small side. With the trouble I'm having getting my mill trammed properly, it makes me wish I would have seen the Sherline 2000, as tramming that would be a cake walk! Anyway, great work. Keep the updates coming.

[Southgate]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Jared, The 16v was the only engine I could find that looked proportional, except some super expensive resin models that I haven't seen in person. I thought the twin turbos would add a look of even more power. This carrier would probably weigh in at around 70 tons without the upper unit, around 140 with it, not including the counterweights. Truckin' that down the road is gonna take some serious power! Counterweights add up to 78 tons, always transported on tractor trailers over the road. (These figures based on 1/1 Link Belt crane transportation weight charts for a comperable sized crane)

The model, by the way, weighs in at around 32 lbs, when set up with all boom sections and counterweights.

Nathan, I bought my Sherline 2000 because of it's alleged versatility before I really knew anything about it. It has proven to be beyond my imagination for what it can do, especially as small as it is. Since it is a small machine you have to work steel slowly, just give it time to feed and cut shallow passes. But it will do the job. Aluminum and plastics are a snap. Being able to tilt the head makes it capable of cutting angles that would normally require a tilt table. The cool thing about the 2000 over other Sherlines is it has a far greater workpiece size capacity, since it has such a deep throat. And when the throat still isn't deep enough? Offset the head laterally so that the workpiece doesn't have to pass throuth the throat.

Another use for this feature is when I had to mill some off the baseplate but didn't want to dissassemble the whole unit. Note in the picture below, all the mechanism is on the baseplate, up side down.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2120047.jpg

If anyone's interested, here's a link to my photobucket with pictures of the crane's progress from the very beginning. Many of the ideas and components seen here have been omproved on and scrapped. That crude boom was only for test purposes. Most however, give an idea as to how the pieces were made and how the project evolved. The most recent are at the top, getting older as you go down.
http://s343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/?start=all

I still have a long way to go, but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Espeefan]

That's a great little machine, Dan. When I first saw the design, and how it looked like a little Bridgeport mill, I thought it was a great design! I just kind of wish Sherline had a little bit bigger version of it. Something more around the 100 - 150 pound range, and maybe two or three times the size. You can never have to much table and table travel, is what they say. That was kind of the selling point for my Sieg SX2 clone, offered by The Little Machine Shop. The only disappointment I have with the SX2 clone is that the way they throw them together in assembly, one must tear it all down and tram the head to column, and the column to the table, which isn't easy because the column is only adjustable for tilting the head. Everything else needs to be unbolted, shimmed, and rechecked, until it's good enough for the operator (me). The SX2 mills are known to have the spindle 'off' from the factory. Not perpendicular to the table, nor parallel to the column, and you really can't make good parts till it's assembled properly and gone through. That's why I envy you with your little Sherline! How easy it is to tram it all.

It never crossed my mind to mill styrene, but that's one trick I'll have to remember! How much speed do you run the cutter at, and is there any chance of it melting the styrene? I imagine it goes right through it like butter and you can feed a pretty good clip!

[Southgate]

Nathan, for cutting styrene, you spin the cutter SLOW. You have to be able to see it turning, not a blur of speed. I use it to make duplicate strips. It's so easy to get it off when cutting, say a few 3/4 inch strips with an exacto. Seems they'll be off by a couple thou, which may ot may not mess you up. But when you can cut them to about .050 over then mill them to spec, they will be right on. I also used it to mill out all the window openings in the cabs, nice and STRAIGHT.

[Southgate]

It seems winter has arrived. Snowin like crazy. What's a boy to do? As if we need to ask...

Heres the latest progress on the crane. I'm continuing on the styrene cosmetic details. Or whatever material suits.

If styrene could scream...
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1181499.jpg

Rare earth magnetoscopy
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1181501.jpg

This picture shows a lot. The figure has a magnet in his rear, There's another in the pink seat, (I'm gonna paint it) milled just below the top surface. He stays planted it it, yet, is removable. Those black dots in the seat mount are also magnets. The bottom of the seat mount is steel. It can be slid to and fro. This allows me to slide the seat and figure back from the control handles and pedals, and yank im out of the cab. He also has a head in this picture, the top part of a different "guy" grafted on.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1191525.jpg

In the above picture, there is a piece of thin slippery clear plastic on top of the magnets, so that the seat slides easily. The hand control pedestal and the figure were built simultaneously so that his hands and feet are really planted on the controls when he's in position, as seen below. Since this picture was taken, the front panels of the cab have been added. The windshield one is still removable so i can pull the whole interior platform out still for painting.

The door slides open and shut. Channels were made by milling one side off of K&S brass square tube.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1201532.jpg

On to the hood, now. I wanted a butterfly hood, cuz I just like 'em. Pivots were made from sewing pins. A micro drill is used to drill into the end of the styrene, as seen here. You can see the corresponding pin in the other piece. Cheap, effective, strong.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2271603.jpg

For the other hinges, I used doll house piano hinges, held on by 3M adhesive membrane that a buddy scored for me. This is the underside if the hood to show the basic components.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2271605.jpg

Here it is as it looks as I write.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2281611.jpg

I'm working now on the exhaust pipes and intake tubes, which will go through access ways in the hood sides. Then I can put the opening latch handles and such on it. Note the rear grill, same as the front ones.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2281609.jpg

[sparkycuda]

Very nice styrene work. Especially like the operator details and hinged hood,etc. Milling styrene certainly has its benefits - really like the way the cab and windows came out.

Keep up the great work!

Ken

[kerst]

Poor guy!
But great to see some progress on this fantastic model!

Kerst

[Espeefan]

Nice updates! Boy, that operator must be feeling a little sore, and like he has some lead in his bottom? Ha ha. He fits the cab really well though. Hands and arms in the perfect place.

[Southgate]

Yeah, guys. ya gotta feel for the little fella. But I bored him out and got him all patched up before I put his head on so he never felt a thing! ('sides that, he's plastic)

Moving along, the hood cant be finished until the exhaust and intake details are done, so here's where that is. I like these little sock hangers for this kind of work, as they provide nice round "pipe" with different radius curves to work with.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2291626.jpg

I use different sizes of rods and pins to help make the joints...
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2291627.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2291628.jpg

I came up with an idea while working on the crane that will work on most any other truck that calls for a custom exhaust system. I turned a bunch of these little muffler ends on the lathe. Note the hole in the center, the stepped radius diameters.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3021638.jpg

Now I simply make a muffler casing of the right diameter K&S aluminum tube, any length desired, to fit the given application. A 7/32 tube goes down the center to act as muffler sleeves. 3/16 tube is used for the final stacks, resembling 4' pipe. The screen is expanded aluminum made from frying pan spatter screens available at wal mart cheap. After cutting to the proper length, you wrap it around a pen or something to get the desired radius, and superglue ot together.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3011633.jpg

These are relatively short, as to stay as out of the way of the boom as possible. they'll go about here.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3041643.jpg

Not too bad, huh? Dan

[RCLogger]

Thanks for the update Dan

Great progress,

greg

[D8R]

like those mufflers, as said before, a lot of new ways to make things here on the board, can be used on different models and scales!
Looking forward for more updates!
Dan

[Espeefan]

Great idea, using those hangers to make the exhaust pipes. I will have to remember your ideas, as it's one of those things that makes you say 'why didn't I think about that?' So simple, and easy to do too. I could see that working for a nice engine exhaust manifold in a larger scale.

[sparkycuda]

Detail, simplified! Very realistic, a minimum of work, and low-key approach to making a great model. Thanks for the how-to!

Ken

[Southgate]

Hi gents! It's been a while, but I have gotten some more done on this project. I got the bright idea of putting lights in this while at a doll house supply shop, where I go to get brass hinges and such. They had these LEDs that are the right shade of white, and bright enough too. It snowballed from there...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8202702388_013444a43e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202702388/)
PB052034 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202702388/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

The park lights and clearance lights come on with the main power switch. The headlights can then be turned on, and/or the emergency flashers. These pictures can't show ya that action, but it involves a 555 timer IC, a small coil relay, and resistors and pots to get the right intensity of the hi and lo brightness. Also, these pictures exagerate how bright the lights are. theyre realistically bright, but not as blazing as they appear in the photos.

Here's with the headlights on. note the silver colored switches in the grill area. the grill hides them when it's in place.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8202696912_b92185240d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202696912/)
PB042015 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202696912/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

This shows how the batteries are held, 4 AAs in each of those brass tubes to give 12 v for the light system, which is independant from the RC motion control, and is totally built in to the styrene carrier deck. You can also see here the bottom of the circuit board that controls the flashers and brightness of the lights. The grill is in place here.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8201613529_63b54a8503.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8201613529/)
PB052029 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8201613529/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

Out back, you can see (better in the reflection) the 2 amber tail light in between the reds on the fenders. Again, the photo looks brighter than it really is.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8202702216_7dfd8a1627.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202702216/)
PB021997 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8202702216/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

The side frames were not rigid enough, and always looked warped. So brass ones were made by milling K&S brass bar to the right width, scoring it up with a rasp, and replacing the styrene sides. That's the quick version!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8201651411_c3d08bc405.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8201651411/)
PB172133 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8201651411/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

There are a couple other small improvements, but this gets you mainly up to speed. I need to take some new overall pictures of it. Thanks for looking. Dan

[Shane]

Nah, Not to bad at all !!
Fantastic effort in all your efforts to date, Dan.
Loved the photo you took of the boom and all the lattice detail in the earlier shots.
Lots of great info for all to read and will look forward to your updates.
Good Onya Mate.

Shane.

[Southgate]

Since the last post, air cleaners were turned on the lathe and a couple details added. There are 2 air cleaners for the carrier truck. They'll mount like this:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8246375616_4cbe6bb01a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246375616/)
PB292179 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246375616/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

In progress:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8245270137_34b2e30ee1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245270137/)
PB282155 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245270137/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

up close. That superglue has since been cleaned off.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8246337316_f3037039aa.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246337316/)
PB292173 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246337316/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

The mirrors have been made, The harder of the 2, I like to think, has been mounted. It's all stainless where it's metal. Notr that here it is retracted, close to the body.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8246342882_749e62ebfc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246342882/)
PB302182 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246342882/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

It can be extended, too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8246343446_628f2c88cb.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246343446/)
PB302183 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246343446/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

Then, on to the cat walks. The idea here is that no matter how the upper unit is positioned, access to the cab can be made from the carrier's deck, either from behind, the front, or the gap in the rail. It took a lot of work to get these things to fit without interfering with motion at the front or the back.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8246329700_5e8f77c196.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246329700/)
P1010092 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246329700/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8245259045_37c1c8f8f7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245259045/)
P1010093 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245259045/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

They easily come off for transport.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8246332416_58cd421d48.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246332416/)
P1010094 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8246332416/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8245290091_4cc4ccbb9e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245290091/)
PC022191 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/79163584@N03/8245290091/) by Southgate_08 (http://www.flickr.com/people/79163584@N03/), on Flickr

I'm getting it ever closer to prepping and paint! Thanks for looking. Dan

[Espeefan]

The details are incredible! Glad to see you're still working at this project. The lights look great. So do the air cleaners and catwalk, with rails.

[Dairyland Trucker]

Simply awesome this is one impressive build I can't wait to see it all finished...

[Southgate]

I've been working away at it here, getting well under way on painting the crane. These pictures are basically mock ups, but you can get the over all idea. The 2nd color will be gray, as the front grill, and the one on the upper unit. It's as shiny as a new die cast model. That will be dealt with too.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1010122.jpg

The grill on the hood will be gray too.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1010125.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1010127.jpg

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1010123.jpg

[catmack]

Southgate, this is fine work. I like the detail on the exhaust. Colin

[kerst]

Looks great!

kerst

[Espeefan]

Very nice, Dan. Keep going!

[scalelover]

A bit off topic here, but how large is the train layout that we can see in the background of the pics? Also what scale is it? I dabble in N scale trains as well and it's always cool to see other stuff that rc fans are doing

--Dan

[Southgate]

Fair enough question, considering the train layout is in most of the crane pictures. It is HO scale, and runs all the way around the room when I put the duckunder across the doorway. The room is about 10x20 feet. The workbenches are under the layout.

Looking at the crane sitting on layout deck;
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Train%20Room/P1122227.jpg

And below the layout:
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Train%20Room/P1122229.jpg

I had been working slowly on the RR layout for a few years, but progress halted when I started on the crane 6 years ago, something I've wanted to build since I was about 20. The RR is supposed to be mid 60s on the Oregon coast (where I grew up) Southern Pacific. The layout is in operating condition, but no scenery, obviously. Progress will resume when I fairly complete the distraction at hand. I only model in 1/24-1/25 and 1/87
Thank You for asking. Dan. (other Dan)

PS. I just got home from work where I used their heated space to paint some more on the crane. Most all the styrene bodywork is now painted. I suffered casualties on the earlier painting session. For some unknown reason, some of the LEDs failed in the tail light section. I'm stumped as to why, but I tore 'em all out (it wasn't a pretty picture, I was REALLY mad!)and will wire in new ones asap.

[Lil Giants]

What a great use of space!!! :cool: I never noticed your workbench under there in earlier pics... I'm bad for tunnel vision. :o

And you have your dog house in the mix of things too Dan, more quiet time from the wife. :D

[kerst]

My bedroom used to look like that, mostly workshop with a bed in the corner.
Till I got to know my wife! Ha, ha!
Now I have a corner in the wood shop, which is great, because it far enough away from the house.
Nice toolbox you have sitting there on that chest of drawers!

Kerst

[Espeefan]

Ahh, living the dream! I have always been interested in model railroading and trains, ever since I can remember. I'd love to have a room like that, to build something. Maybe someday! There aren't to many hobbies, greater then model railroading and radio controls trucks/construction equipment. At least not in my opinion! Good to meet another fan of the Espee. Oregon is some beautiful country. I'd like to visit it someday. I can't think of a finer setting for a Southern Pacific layout. Good choice!

LEDs not working - all I can think of is maybe you got some paint somewhere it wasn't supposed to go and it bridged an electrical connection, shorting out some of the LEDs. Most paints do conduct electricity.

[Southgate]

The "dream" room was something I salvaged. It was 10x12, with one open end. I salvaged it and enough material from the same demolition to add 8 feet on to it. The only money I had to spend was for lights and sheetrock. Later I put in the laminate floor.

When I was young, in Coos Bay Oregon, you could still walk around up close to the trains on the tracks and look around. Trains no longer run to Coos Bay, the bridge is delapidated. I live in Bend now, east of the mountains.

As for the crane, the new LEDs will be installed into prepainted boxes on the rear section.
Dan

[dabears]

Amazing work!!! Looks like the crane is getting near being done!! Any videos of it yet or did i miss them?

[Southgate]

Nope, no videos yet. But i have a buddy who's going to help me get some on You tube when it is at least presentable. A link will be posted when ready.I got the cabs and more body work painted last night. Still have way to go; Counterweights, chassis, upper machinery. Outriggers are not near ready for paint. plus fixing the lights. More pictures as progress is made.

[Southgate]

Here are the latest pictures of progress. The cabs are painted, along with a few other items.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3270109_zpsc22e5ae7.jpg

Lights are working like they're supposed to. The lenses are now added over the LED, and are flush with the body panels, giving the light a wider angle.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3270130_zps9109fb8a.jpg

I finally got some pictures of how the lights pretty much look...Headlights on
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3270126_zps209416c9.jpg

Headlights off
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3270120_zps00bbde50.jpg

These lights appear more red in person, but this is still the best picture I have of the tail lights so far.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3270118_zps20409198.jpg

I'm taking this to a model car show in Portland (OR) today. It should behave itself, as everything is working like it's supposed to. We'll see! Dan

[kerst]

Looks great!

Kerst

[Southgate 1]

I haven't been logged in here in a while. I guess I changed my password some time, and I've tried every alternative as well. I had to reregister under a new slightly changed name.

I did figure out how to do a simple video, here's a look at some of the action. Kinda crude, it's all I have.

first ever video, before paint. couldn't load it with old 'puter. Dan

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/th_Upperunitrotatinglights_zps981ac012.mp4 (http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/Upperunitrotatinglights_zps981ac012.mp4)

[Lil Giants]

Looking good Dan. :cool:

I changed your password for Southgate & PM'd the password to your Southgate 1 account. ;)

[9W Monighan]

That slews very nicely. Great job.

[mcCracken15]

You know how good it feels to know someone else live right here in Oregon for a change! I felt like I was the only one! I would love to start hearing about some model shows in portland . It is a 4 hr. Drive for me but would be way worth it. I've been hard at work building ab1/14 excavator and starting on a 1/14 d11 for my brother. I just bought a lathe and mill last year and have learned so much its amazing and I really don't know how I've lived without!

[Southgate]

Hey, McCracken, wherebouts in OR are ya? The show I go to about every other year is a model car show, the SABA puts it on. It's not an RC show, but I build 1/25 trucks and cars, and this crane...

I have taken about a couple years off on doing anything with this project other than operate it, but I got busy lately. I tried a 10 lb lift to see what would happen. It revealed some weak points, but did the lift without any damage.

One weak point was the slewing pivot, rather a hub and spindle affair. The spindle was fine, a 1/2 stainless steel bar. There was enough play in the hub part, basically brass tube inserted through the 1 1/4" thick base plate to allow fore and aft rock, thus some interference. It took 10 lbs to reveal that.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1160630_zpsf2jcvrcq.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1160630_zpsf2jcvrcq.jpg.html)



So a new hub was turned from thick brass bar and a larger hole drilled to accept it. It is stepped so it looks like it's sitting on top, but it goes all the way down through, and held in with a set screw.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1210634_zpsezqevpbc.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1210634_zpsezqevpbc.jpg.html)

I rebuilt this block too. It needed a stronger hook, so I made a copper one. I'll probably replace it later on with a double hook, but for now this holds with all authority. The thin plates between the sheaves were warped, so I made thicker ones, now the block behaves far more smoothly. That overhaul took most of the day!
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1210638_zpscmzcfv1r.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P1210638_zpscmzcfv1r.jpg.html)

Another 10 lb "pick" was done to check out the improvements, and it all works quite nicely.

[Southgate]

Here's a little video of the crane raising the boom, gantry and live mast. Clicking on the little x-in-the-box should open it.

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20Videos/Raising%20boom%20live%20mast%20gantry_zpsdaduq3zo-1.mp4 (http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20Videos/Raising%20boom%20live%20mast%20gantry_zpsdaduq3zo-1.mp4)

[sparkycuda]

Your video of mast raising was great! You have kept faithful to prototypical speeds and it looks just like the real thing.

Awesome job!

Ken

[Southgate]

I've been back at work on this thing after almost a 2 year break. I was burned out!

The rim beads were properly shaped, and resin hubs added after the rims were painted. Here's before paint.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3170180_zpsbvjj59l9.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3170180_zpsbvjj59l9.jpg.html)

I got busy on detailing the outrigger boxes too. Still need some stuff, but they look far better being all closed up.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3290196_zpsj0uuskms.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3290196_zpsj0uuskms.jpg.html)


The gantry weight was increased, this helped in improving it's motion when erecting and lowering, but it also gave far more control to the lines by deepening the sheave slots.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2090644_zpsit2gvhxu.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P2090644_zpsit2gvhxu.jpg.html)

Here, the outriggers, the chassis on the carrier, and the wheels are all painted and assembled.
http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010159_zpsvizu2vpf.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010159_zpsvizu2vpf.jpg.html)

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010158_zpsior3zqzr.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P4010158_zpsior3zqzr.jpg.html)

http://i343.photobucket.com/albums/o476/Southgate_08/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3290197_zpsttwwsqz3.jpg (http://s343.photobucket.com/user/Southgate_08/media/Model%20Crane%20pix/P3290197_zpsttwwsqz3.jpg.html)

I have a lot of painting left to do, especially on the details of the upper unit, and it needs some weathering, as it just looks too clean for a big ol' industrial machine. More to come. Dan

[modelman]

Southgate-I know nothing about cranes but this is truly a great model! Excellent craftsmanship, great attention to details, realistic movement. Great work!!!

[jack van]

Poor guy!
But great to see some progress on this fantastic model!

Kerst

remind me to NEVER apply for opereator position in your company lol :jaw:

[Southgate ll]

Way-ell, guys... It's been a while! As life goes and comes up with all manner of distractions, not in a bad way necessarily, I've been MIA here. I had been trying for a while to log in but couldn't get my password(s) to work, so I changed my forum name a little and re registered. But I'm back

The Crane.
Long story as short as I think I can get it; as I was about 99% finished with this project, I faced up to the fact that I was never quite satisfied that I took some liberties in building it. It's supposed to be 1/25 scale, but in reality, it was pretty over sized for the class of crane I was shooting for. I was working with and around components and skills I had at the time.

Fast forward to 9-18-2017. That's the day I decided, after extensive measuring, calculating, sketching, and even a bit of guessing, I decided to bring it into the proportions I'd really be happy with.

The upper unit needed narrowing. That's involved enough. The carrier however was far and away the harder to downsize. It had to be narrowed, lowered, and the length shortened, each on it's own a big challenge.

This post so far took longer to write than I thought it would, but I'll post it lest I should lose it somehow. I'll be back with pictures and progress notes soon. It's good to be able to log on again! Dan.

[Southgate ll]

I just spent about 1 1/2 hours writing and posting pix to update progress. Hit "preview post", POOF! Gone. :mad:

[Originalrob]

Hi Dan
Welcome back to the forum ! I have only been about a short time (on my first build) so it’s good to have some veteran builders about for advice and different builds like your crane. Looking forward to seeing your progress !
Rob

[Southgate ll]

I need some help here. When I open page 6 of this thread, I am logged in. When I go to page 7, I am NOT logged in, and may not post replies. And, try as I might, I can not log in. I definitely know my password and forum name. I am replying from page 6 as I write. Ideas?

Edited in: now on p 7, since I replied from page 6, I'm logged in. Odd.

Anyway, thank you, Rob. I have to tell you I am anything but a veteran when it comes to RC. This crane is my only venture into RC, and I only RC'ed it cuz it was the only way to make it functional at any level. I'm mainly a 1/25 scale model truck builder. (and switch off occasionally to HO model RR, simple DC only) And when you look at the caliber of machinery being engineered and built on this forum, you'll see I'm kind of a runt here. That said, I'd be glad to help any way I can.

As mentioned above, The crane is undergoing a heavy makeover to downsize it Here's a before picture. Note the extended front end, the size of the wheels, and how high the carrier deck is, compared to that little figure by the rear wheel.
https://images52.fotki.com/v1639/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P9230155-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p9230155.html)

Now note all the above on this take.
https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P3300305-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p3300305.html)

While I don't follow any one specific 1/1 prototype crane for this build, I do try to stay within "typical" parameters. I do lean heavily on Link Belt and P&H influence. Call it "protolanced", to borrow a model railroader term.

The overall length of the carrier was shortened around 9 scale feet, (over 4"), the deck height lowered about 14 scale inches, and the width of both the carrier and the upper unit were narrowed about 10 scale inches. This brings it well into scale proportions compared to a Link Belt HC 278 H, the class of cranes I'm shooting for.

Original tires were pirated from (gulp) 3 Ertl AMT Payhauler 350 dump trucks. They'll be returned now. New smaller tires were scratchbuilt from black ABS pipe connectors and 1/4" ABS sheet, for the sidewalls. VERY messy lathe work. The treads are made from bands of bicycle inner tube for traction and quiet operation on a hard floor.
https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P3300305-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p3300305.html)

https://images46.fotki.com/v677/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P2200770-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p2200770.html)

https://images51.fotki.com/v1654/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P2250776-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p2250776.html)

https://images43.fotki.com/v1218/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P2250779-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p2250779.html)

Once the sidewalls were glued in with pipe cement, They were sanded which left them a lighter flat black color, and I left them at that.

https://images54.fotki.com/v1224/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P2260780-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p2260780.html)

Note also in that last picture the new narrower rear equalizing suspension pieces, the access notches cut into the frame to allow wheel/axle travel, and how deep the hub detail is inset into the rim due to narrower motor-gearheads. All hard earned lowering, narrowing, and length shortening processes.
I'll post before I lose this again.

[Southgate ll]

Continuing a little bit, compare the front end of the earlier carrier to the later. I originally copied P&H carrier looks with that heavy frontal overhang, but came to dislike it. I saw a Link Belt pic on the 'net, that placed the cab more over the wheels, and just a little forward still, and thought that's the look!

Part of the overhang was room for the circuit board for the whole headlight, parking light, and flasher feature,(as can be seen in picture below) but that is now under the engine hood. Also, originally the steering servo was mounted vertically under the driver seat, forcing it in front of the axles. Then It occured to me it could be mounted horizontally between the frame rails, with a pitman arm arrangement for motion. Lop off about 3+ scale feet of bulk!

Here's a look at the 2 carrier decks. This picture, I think, best captures the difference in proportions. Over 120 square scale feet, a decent sized bedroom, was reduced from the carrier deck!
https://images40.fotki.com/v26/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P3010792-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p3010792.html)

"No wonder the thing was so wide!"
https://images15.fotki.com/v1669/photos/2/3818332/16247358/P3300312-vi.jpg (https://public.fotki.com/Southgate/model-crane-downsize/p3300312.html)

The shorter motor on the left now powers the carrier drive axles,6 mounted transversely, back to back, and the drums in the upper unit. Also transverse, shaft to shaft. You can see the huge diff that would make.
Thank you for following, more later! Dan

[Southgate ll]

logging in

[frizzen]

That's such a cool crane! It definately shows that you're a modeler first, then radio control.

Where did you source the new smaller motors, or do they have part numbers?

[Southgate ll]

Thank you, Frizzen. I got the new motors on an Ebay buy it now source. Type in motor gearheads and all kinds of stuff comes up. The motors in the upper unit drums are 6v, rated at 20 rpm... I shoulda gone with 30 but they're livable. They are really powerful and have great torque. They are 25mm around. I ordered them right when the covid thing really took off in the U.S, but they got here in decent time.