Warner & Swasey Gradall M-2460 (1/14)

[Krewmember]

This is a build I have wanted to do for a while. I have always liked the unique design of gradall excavators and it's truck mounted. I love truck mounted earth movers
I picked the M-2460 because the carrier is almost the same as the ones Bucyrus Erie used for their crane trucks, and I have a soft spot for 50's-60's equipment

My bucyrus erie crane truck is on deep back burner at the moment, I'm just going to reuse the carrier for the gradall.

Anyway. after searching for a while I finally found a original manual for a good price.





Here is a cool old photo of one using a grading blade and a 12' boom extension.









I have already started on the boom. So more to come.


Shawn

[liftmys10]

Subscribed. At work we have the newer version of the gradall. They use it often to clean up the v ditches. Cant wait to see yours up and running!

[Krewmember]

It seems like cleaning ditches is a common use for gradalls. The first one I ever saw was digging out ditches, so as a kid I used to call them "ditch diggers"


I finished the plates for the boom. The next step is to get some cold drawn steel round and make a welding jig.





More to come.


Shawn

[Zabco]

Cool build, I always liked watching a Gradall working. Was amazing to see what a skilled operator could do with that boom. Used to drive by the factory on a regular basis. Will be looking forward to seeing your build progress.

[skeeter]

This will be neat to watch being built!

[kerst]

Yes, this will be interesting! I will follow this project closely!

Kerst

[9W Monighan]

The first Gradall was built on a Linn Halftrack truck.

[sparkycuda]

The equipment distributor I worked sold Gradall in 50s & 60s. Definitely unique. Will be fun to follow this build!

[FabOne]

INTERESTING build! Keep us posted!

-Terry

[frizzen]

That's a wild machine! Am i seeing a Hydraulic boom elevation with a Cable crowd line?

Its a shame there's not much of a crane house to hide electronics inside. I can't wait to see where you go with this

[Krewmember]

Originally Posted by 9W Monighan

The first Gradall was built on a Linn Halftrack truck.

Now that is a pretty cool looking machine, it would be perfect for loading one of these Linn dump trucks. I will need a truck to load after I finish the Gradall.
Hmm...

Originally Posted by frizzen

That's a wild machine! Am i seeing a Hydraulic boom elevation with a Cable crowd line?

Its a shame there's not much of a crane house to hide electronics inside. I can't wait to see where you go with this

Yes, it is indeed pretty unique. Looking at the diagrams for the main boom it seems to use a big hydraulic cylinder (or two? facing opposite to each other ) and some kind of cable rigging, which I don't understand yet.

The lack of space is something I did not foresee. It will be a interesting challenge for sure.







Even the swing is hydraulic using a pair of cylinders pulling a chain around a sprocket






Shawn

[9W Monighan]

Judging from your parts book, that machine didn't rotate 360deg.
Interesting setup with the two hydraulic cylinders.

I've ridden in that Linn dump truck before you posted. I know the owner.

[Krewmember]

Originally Posted by 9W Monighan

Judging from your parts book, that machine didn't rotate 360deg.
Interesting setup with the two hydraulic cylinders.

I thought that too. But I found this cool Gradall marketing film for the M-2460 and it shows it rotate 360 but not continuous rotation just 360 lock to lock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exthr1URWD0

[Jared]

I haven't been on in a little while. I'm reading the Gradall book right now and was thinking someone needs to build one and here you are!

[Krewmember]

That's a funny coincidence

[frizzen]

I just ran across a Buddy L model Gradall over on 'that auction site' which looks like it's a little newer syle than your pics if it might help shave some fabrication.

'1/16 GRADALL Crawler Crane Excavator Shovel, Buddy L'

[Krewmember]

Interesting find. I did not know there were any gradall steel toys made, it looks like Buddy L modeled it after a early production G-1000.








Shawn