Another Hobby Engine crawler crane.

[OldVet]

Hello ,new here.
I`m new to this hobby so bought a lower level model I guess some would say.
It`s Hobby Engines crawler crane, the standard model.
It seems to work fine so far but is limited as to what it can dig with the clam, two light so I added some lead to it which helped some.
I`m into steam boats so built a barge for it with plans of dredging sand from the bottom of my home made pond but it wouldn`t scoop that.
I think golf balls painted black or brown would work great for under water dredging but I haven`t gotten any yet.
Saw dust works good and I have lots of that from my sawmill and I made a log boom and picked sticks from the pond that worked well.
Here`s a couple video`s.

Also, I tried to find Hobby Engines website but it wouldn`t work are they still in business?
Are there any places to get factory replacement parts for this crane.
Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjFZjH0qfx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOvGwTZ0dY8

[OldVet]

Here`s the tug that we built from scratch pulling the crane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fd78THWIaw

[OldVet]

In the mean time maybe ya might enjoy this slow run of the tug.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHR1mdA9DbI

[OldVet]

Don`t laugh I`m a beginner. :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu1BzOvUGN8

[JoseFL10-4]

Check squadron.Com they have some spare parts

[OldVet]

Check squadron.Com they have some spare parts


Thanks but I went to that site and couldn`t find where they have parts, probably my mistake.

[OldVet]

Another vid, as you see the gears are slipping while turning or is the a clutch slipping?
Help appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEkeaxDQeNk&feature=player_detailpage

[OldVet]

Another vid, as you see the gears are slipping while turning or is the a clutch slipping?
Help appreciated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEkeaxDQeNk&feature=player_detailpage

maybe the vid didn`t work.

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEkeaxDQeNk

[Supermario]

The problem might be the gear skipping and not the clutch. Try operating with the boom up more and keep the bucket closer to the machine.
If the problem is gone, it's skipping due to flex of upper structure.
Maybe drill a few small holes in the bucket side plates to drain the water easier? Not too big though or it won't be any good for dirt or sand! :lol:

Great idea fishing for golf balls :D:cool:

Mario

[OldVet]

Thanks, my thought to about drilling holes.
Here`s a vid I just shot, looks like a clutch prob but why more left than right?

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxYL2UYCQc

[Supermario]

Video not loading.

My mistake. I bet the swing gear pinion is not skipping a tooth but getting too tight with the swing gear under load which causes the clutch to ratchet.
Not sure why in only one direction. These are not precision machines.... I've got one myself.:)

Mario

[OldVet]

Thanks Mario, your prob. right . I`m not going to worry about it now just run it for a while.
We almost drove over too your country not long ago to see the lakers go through the locks but didn`t make it.
We live about 100 miles East of Duluth.

Let me try posting the vid again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxYL2UYCQc&feature=player_detailpage

[OldVet]

Thanks Mario, your prob. right . I`m not going to worry about it now just run it for a while.
We almost drove over too your country not long ago to see the lakers go through the locks but didn`t make it.
We live about 100 miles East of Duluth.

Let me try posting the vid again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZxYL2UYCQc&feature=player_detailpage

Whoops, I meant West of Duluth. :)

[OldVet]

One thing I don`t like about this crane is there`s no speed control driving it, wide open or nothing which makes it hard to reposition.

[Lil Giants]

That's not hard to solve, put a radio system in it. Given the dirt cheap radios & electronics from Hobby King or Turnigy, you could easily do it for less than $100.

[OldVet]

That's not hard to solve, put a radio system in it. Given the dirt cheap radios & electronics from Hobby King or Turnigy, you could easily do it for less than $100.

Easy for someone that knows how to say, thanks but I don`t have a clue on how to do something like that.

[Supermario]

Easy for someone that knows how to say, thanks but I don`t have a clue on how to do something like that.

I felt the same way when I first got into this hobby 2 yrs ago.
Like the old expression......participate, don't anticipate. ;)
Keep reading and learning and you'll be surprised what you pick up.:)

Mario

[OldVet]

I felt the same way when I first got into this hobby 2 yrs ago.
Like the old expression......participate, don't anticipate. ;)
Keep reading and learning and you'll be surprised what you pick up.:)

Mario

Yepper, did ya se my comment about the lakers?
Here`s a steam powered Edmund Fitzgeralad we built.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SIVOZtM3x4

[Supermario]

Yepper, did ya se my comment about the lakers?
Here`s a steam powered Edmund Fitzgeralad we built.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SIVOZtM3x4

Very nice! Makes me want to start working on mine. The Wilfred Sykes. So many things on the go:eek: someday :rolleyes:

[OldVet]

Another complaint with this crane is the tracks come off easy when turning even in dirt.
Any fix for that like making them tighter or maybe more of a bevel on the sides of the driver sprockets.