Auto Crane Rebuild / CraneOmatic

[Artisan]

Well, I REALLY enjoy renewing equipment. Recently
I picked up a Generator Trailer from Camp Pendleton
and I have been vasilating back and forth as to what
I will do with it.

I think I am going to make a log trailer / multi use unit.

I was surfin' CL two days ago and came across an Auto Crane
Econo-Ton II and the price was $100.00 . I looked
up the price for these things and decided I should get
it and deal w/ any issues it has later.

I offered the guy a new Dewalt skillsaw, in box for it
and he said OK! I think I paid 60 bux for the saw on
sale several years ago.

When I arrived they had a battery ready and dang if
the motor actually works! If I had to guess I would guess
someone lost the control Pendant and pulled the female
pendant receiver and chucked it for there were only 2
wires hanging out of it.

So I have it and I think I will make sure it works good and
hopefully find some parts for it and eventually add it to
my new trailer w/ JackLegs plus other stuff, AFTER I
strip it and refresh it.

It will not happen super quick...but looks like fun ahead.

 

[sparc]

Nice find. What's the story on the second pic?

Auto Crane | Econo Ton

 

[Artisan]

Yes I have found those links and Thank YOU!

The second picture is the gen trailer inside my dump
trailer being born at Camp Pendleton, to this I believe
I will afix the Auto Crane.

 

[wirenut]

Looks like great project. Sure would like some better picts, for those of us that are not familiar with either of these things. I just can't tell what the first thing looks like. Thanks for sharing; most of my builds are "borrowed" from other people. I love refurbishing old stuff too. Unfortunately, I see a project in most people's junk, guess that's why I'm out of room, and my wife calls me a hoarder.

 

[Artisan]

Stay tuned wirenut! You will see plenty...

 

[Artisan]

These pics came from the web, it is what I hope mine
will look like when I am done. The UTube is not my unit
either, buts it shows basically what I have except I
do not have an Auto-Rotate motor ( I WISH! ) and mine
has a taller pedestal...

Econo Ton II - YouTube

 

[HarryN]

Wow, you bought an fantastic little crane. New they are $2400. I bought a great used one for @$400 to load logs on my trailer.
I'm a one man show and it sure comes in handy. Here's mine. I don't need any out riggers either.

 

[wirenut]

What a deal you got on the crane. Look forward to updates.

 

[Artisan]

Ah HA! HarryN reinforces my thoughts that these tools are very VERY Cool to
own and use. I can't wait to re-work mine. Look at what Harry is doing alone!
How cool is THAT!

I have been digging around looking for a place to buy parts and get info,
I think I am on to something. I will be posting.

Stay Tuned; Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel! :batman:

 

[wdchyd]

Nice find Artisan,

I'm jealous......wanted one for my service truck but just never seemed to find the right one.......That should make a great trailer

Looking forward to your progress pix

 

[Bob77064]

Artisan, great deal great back saver.

 

[swick1]

Shiver me timbers! She be a fine tool! If only I had such luck!

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I have an auto crane 6000e on my service truch and it is a back saver. Here is the Auto Crane site. They have all the manuals Auto Crane based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, manufactures electric and hydraulic telescoping cranes, hydraulic articulating cranes, crane service bodies, hydraulic air compressors, and Auto Crane accessories.
Bill

 

[MBTRAC]

Artisan, that crane's an absolute bargain & I'm sure will prove extremely handy, once you have trailer mounted crane you'll never not have one...wish I could find a reasonably priced small carne with running rope

Here's a couple of crane trailers I've built, which might assist for ideas:
- Photo 1&2 was my second attempt & a little over the top, but has proved it's worth many times. Basically a 11'6" x 6'3" car trailer which I reinforced & modified to mount a Hiab crane/powerpack in a removable cradle so I could use the crane/powerpakc independently ( the crane was purchased reasonably , I already had the 5KVA genset & hyd pack ). The crane/powerpack I made to be removed in less than c.10minutes, so after undoing a few bolts/cam locks) it self unloads with the hyd outriggers & is then self mounts(secure by a few bolts/cam locks) in stand alone frame (fitted with 3PL mounts) for independent use in the workshop or around the farms on a tractor 3PL (it will lift c.3000lbs @ 6' to 1300lps @ 12')
- Photo 3 & 4 started out as a 9x5 box trailer & my desire to make a simple tipper out of it, anyways got the tipping thing worked out & then couldn't justify the hassle/cost of the electric powered hydraulics for occassional use. So after playing with hand & electric winches for tipping lift settled on using a small hand powered engine crane I had laying around (not fast or powerful but with the geometry will tip about c.1600lb), it gets 100x more use as the trailer crane than a tipper...

 

[Artisan]

Very Nice work MCTRAC...

Thank you for the pics and indeed I have been taking notes.

 

[cschulz]

Any updates Brad??

Chris

 

[sandman2234]

The biggest drawbacks to these cranes are...
They are rough on vehicle frames...
Without an auto-rotate, they are still rough on your back, trying to push stuff into the vehicle.
The hydraulic jack is never big enough to pick-up stuff out on the end of the boom.(stuff is.always heavier than it looks). I had mine rebuilt 3 times before I went to a enerpac 10k cylinder. They aren't cheap but end up bring a.better deal. The separate pump of the Enerpac system worked out better for me. Pumping a cylinder up while standing next to a suspended load is never a great idea. David from jax

 

[Artisan]

Listening and Thank You


No updates yet...were weighing our options w/ the trailer
first wanting to make it a dump...not sure of things yet. If
I had all the money I would just buy a Log trailer w/ boom
and be done w/ it...making it perhaps takes a lot of planning,
or not....were chewin' on it Schultzie!