Container Weld Shop build -

[BukitCase]

I made a list once; scared me so bad I didn't go near the shop for a week - so now I just keep a "what's next" list in my HEAD - it's shorter (but still too long) and if I'm desperate enough I can have a "senior moment" til I catch my breath :laughing:

Here's a wider shot of my current (as in, today) paint setup -

And the lazy susan -

when you want ALL the holes in a project to line up, a letter punch set is nice -

I didn't 'splain the order of assembly much on the other brace, so just in case any of the 27,800+ viewers wanna mod THEIR HF crane ...
1 - rest (and clamp) an appropriate temporary spacer just above the outer post tube -
Stage the pieces you'll need somewhere close, BEFORE you climb that ladder with the bigger pieces (in this case, about 60 pounds worth) -
Place the (heavy) channel spreader in approximate location on top of the I beam, 5/8" bolts have heavy grade 8 washers underneath for clamping dogs (may change to square ones if these don't work well) - keep those bolts loose enough to move the channel around, but NOT come off the beam -

After all 8 bolts are in and tight (holding the upper spreader to the rest of the brace) it's time to tighten the lower spreader to the vertical post - this will pull the upper spreader into final position -

Then tighten the 5/8" bolts that clamp the upper spreader to the I beam -

Finally, remove the spacers that held the lower spreader up off the outer post tube (I did this to ensure that only the shortest two height settings were un-usable without removing the braces - there was no simple way to get the clamping action I needed for that spreader, without doing something REALLY bizarre to get around the interesting way HF did their height change mechanism -

Couple more shots in the next post... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

I haven't mentioned it lately, but the REASON for all this monkey-motion is that I plan to add a 1-ton rated electric hoist, but do NOT wanna lose over a foot of travel on each end of the beam - NOR do I trust a crane that doesn't have diagonal bracing on the posts - the HF 1 ton hoist chassis is 8" wide, but at least TWICE that in length, so if I mounted it crossways to the beam (the conventional way) those spreaders would have needed to be almost 12" wider than they are in order to clear the hoist (or lose a couple FEET of travel - I used a larger beam on this mod BECAUSE I wanted longer travel, NOT shorter...

As it is, those diagonal tubes are 10" apart between them so the hoist will clear easily; the length-wise orientation will lose me the length of the hoist MOTOR on one end, but NO LOSS on the spool end at all.

That being said, here's the crane as it sits now -

And here's one I promised Oldpath - notice the shiny metal pole hanging on the crane post?

'sposed to be more crappy weather the next few days, good time to look at cheesy "winches", and fab up a "endwise double-trolley hoist mount" Later... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

I got enough of the details figured out to start on the longitudinal carriage for the 1 ton electric hoist that's going on the modded HF crane, so cut some pieces, made some holes, played with clamps, etc -

Used my XY table and the mag drill to make sure each hole is where I need it - - notice in the second pic that the point of the mag cutter's pilot is directly over the punch mark...

This is how many chips it takes to "install" a 1-1/8" hole - 1/2" steel, 31 seconds, no pilot hole necessary -

The two crossbars are bolted where the factory brackets normally go; needed longer M12 x1.75 bolts because of the 1/2" thickness instead of about 3/16" - the BIG hole is where the 1 ton trolley shaft goes thru. That'll support the lifting load, and the 2 inline skate wheels will only keep the motor end from sagging down when moving along the I beam unloaded - - The 1 ton trolley isn't shown here, I couldn't keep all the pieces in place (welding some of 'em will probably help :laughing

Notice that the big hole for the trolley shaft is in line with the OVAL hole in the chassis of the hoist - that's the center of the hoist drum, and the oval hole is where the cable hook goes when using double line mode -

That's it for now, probably won't get to welding it up til day after tomorrow, bunch of "town stuff" that needs done manana... Steve

 

[Oldpath05]

And here's one I promised Oldpath - notice the shiny metal pole hanging on the crane post? View attachment 551118 Steve

Wonder if Lowes will donate some $$$$$$$$$$$ for their store name being used all over the place, maybe they already paid you for the shiney pole bucket getter or bought the patent.

 

[BukitCase]

"shiney pole bucket getter" - Actually, it's a "shiney pole bucket getter/putter backer" Sorry, no patent, no pay - I'm still tryin' to figger out where you saw Lowes splattered all over the place

Tacked the spine to the 2 crossbars that'll be the hoist support, flipped it and did the first root pass; it'll be cool in a few minutes so will do the other side, then check square to see where the next pass goes. Since a failure on THESE welds might be painful, I'm thinkin' maybe be sure and get 'em RIGHT

Takin' pics as I go, might get 'em posted later tonite... Steve

 

[aczlan]

"shiney pole bucket getter" - Actually, it's a "shiney pole bucket getter/putter backer" Sorry, no patent, no pay - I'm still tryin' to figger out where you saw Lowes splattered all over the place

Perhaps he meant the two blue Lowe's buckets on the ground in the lower left corner of the picture?

Aaron Z

 

[Xfaxman]

Yep, that one and this one and all the previous pictures with a blue bucket showing.

 

[BukitCase]

Oh, THOSE Lowes buckets :laughing: Musta been my subconscious workin' there - I useta use the ORANGE ones, til Homeless Despot's management decided that I wuz only a veteran 2 days a year - funny, I seem to remember 365 days a year for four years...

Anyway, after that I stopped in to Lowes with my DD214, and 10 minutes later I had my 10% discount across the board -

Maybe I'll make sure there's at least FOUR of those blue buckets (and ZERO orange ones) in every pic from now on :thumbsup: ...Steve

 

[BukitCase]

Got some of the welds done today - Double-checking for square -

Clamping everything to a piece of square tube for tacking -

First pass -

Second pass -

Took me a couple HOURS to move enough stuff in the shop so I could get to the 20 ton press, which (as you can see) I'm gonna need manana -

Later - sorry, couldn't find any pics with blue buckets this time ... Steve

 

[Oldpath05]

What's the update on this pain in the crane build, we done or we out looking for more blue buckets..............

 

[BukitCase]

Actually neither; got enough buckets for now, only thing I got done on the crane was some press work straightening the hoist hanger. We had enough dry weather I dug out the Gannon box and scraped the sod back off the area where the 2 new high cube containers need to go; it stayed dry enough I got the stakes/strings accurately set for ONE of the two 3'x18' piers I need to pour (think "2 sections of sidewalk, parallel to each other and 40' apart) , both door ends will sit on one of the "sidewalks", and both closed ends on the other one.-

BTW, the "container weld shop" title will still hold true, it's just that it'll happen in one of the "high cube" containers I'm getting ready to move, since that extra foot of headroom will be really nice...

The concrete for this part is too small a job for anybody to wanna do it for less than (literally) 10 TIMES what the materials will cost, so been callin' in a couple favors for a little help.

Before THAT can happen tho, I need to rebuild the second curl cylinder on the Case loader (rod packing leaks a LOT), 'cause the loader will get used as a place to put a bunch of sacks of Sakrete at the right height to just slice the end open and dump into the mixer - by my calculations I'm gonna need about 160 bags for the job.

I'll try to get caught up on pics and stuff in the next day or two, I'm hoping this second curl cylinder gives me less grief than the first one did a few years ago... Steve

 

[dragoneggs]

Actually neither; got enough buckets for now, only thing I got done on the crane was some press work straightening the hoist hanger. We had enough dry weather I dug out the Gannon box and scraped the sod back off the area where the 2 new high cube containers need to go; it stayed dry enough I got the stakes/strings accurately set for ONE of the two 3'x18' piers I need to pour (think "2 sections of sidewalk, parallel to each other and 40' apart) , both door ends will sit on one of the "sidewalks", and both closed ends on the other one.-

BTW, the "container weld shop" title will still hold true, it's just that it'll happen in one of the "high cube" containers I'm getting ready to move, since that extra foot of headroom will be really nice...

The concrete for this part is too small a job for anybody to wanna do it for less than (literally) 10 TIMES what the materials will cost, so been callin' in a couple favors for a little help.

Before THAT can happen tho, I need to rebuild the second curl cylinder on the Case loader (rod packing leaks a LOT), 'cause the loader will get used as a place to put a bunch of sacks of Sakrete at the right height to just slice the end open and dump into the mixer - by my calculations I'm gonna need about 160 bags for the job.

I'll try to get caught up on pics and stuff in the next day or two, I'm hoping this second curl cylinder gives me less grief than the first one did a few years ago... Steve

I hate messing with cement. I can feel the tendinitis coming back in my elbow as I read this...

 

[BukitCase]

Me too - in a PERFECT world, I'd have 4 dumber brothers, a shaded chaise lounge and an apple (or several)

(just in case somebody less than 60 yrs old doesn't get it, find a copy of Tom Sawyer :laughing: )

 

[Oldpath05]

Me too - in a PERFECT world, I'd have 4 dumber brothers, a shaded chaise lounge and an apple (or several)

(just in case somebody less than 60 yrs old doesn't get it, find a copy of Tom Sawyer :laughing: )

I'm over 60 and I got it, your in the Me Too movement.....:stirthepot: I found another stick because I had no pictures to look at.

If you need help with cement, get some Wet-Backs, (just in case somebody less than 60 yrs old doesn't get it), watch some Green Acres.......

 

[BukitCase]

Awright, if'n yer gonna WHINE about it...


'bout all I got for now, rearranged enough stuff to get the 580 in to the "Lowes Bucket Store-room and Crane Bay", nuthin' much else is gonna happen til I get at least the "drivers side" Curl cylinder to quit thinkin' it's a race horse with a bladder problem -

Hard to tell, but there's about 1-1/2 foot clearance at the hoe end, about 3' at the FEL end and maybe 4" headroom (if I don't try to move the crane toward the hoe end, that is)

That curl cylinder's the only VITAL one for now, but ALL but 5 of the other 13 cylinders need kits ( got 'em in stock) - I did the hoe swings and stabilizers a few years ago, along with ONE of the FEL curl cylinders. That was followed by extensive shoulder surgery and muscle re-attachment, then a year on 70% followed by retirement...

There's 13 cylinders total on that machine, so only 8 more to go

If I don't fix that other Curl cylinder, it'll dump bags of Sakrete on my toes instead of holding 'em at chest height so my life's only a "comotose" (rhymes with swell) instead of a LIVING one ...Steve

 

[Oldpath05]

Squeaky wheel gets the grease............and after much scrutinizing you finally got that blue bucket off the crane yippy I knew I'd wear you down, now you have the chain off to the side hooked on something something like normal people do if I'm normal, you must feel a great deal of relief from the grief and no more suffering from anxiety attacks caused by the blue bucket syndrome.

13 cylinders? I looked and looked and only come up with 10 at the most, 4 on the FEL, 2 on BH, 2 on stable arms and, maybe 2 to swing the BH which I thought only needed 1.
I'll need another picture next week so I can play the (Find what's wrong with this picture game) it's so much fun.............

 

[BukitCase]

"13 cylinders? I looked and looked and only come up with 10 at the most, 4 on the FEL, 2 on BH, 2 on stable arms and, maybe 2 to swing the BH which I thought only needed 1."

Nope - there's FIVE on the FEL - the usual, 2 lift/2 curl - then there's the "automatic bucket level", which on this model case is ANOTHER cylinder, plumbed so it acts like a PUMP - as the loader raises/lowers, that extra cylinder either ADDS to, or SUBTRACTS from, the volume of oil in the CURL cylinders - it's supposed to keep the bucket at the same tilt RELATIVE TO GROUND at any height. Sorta works, might work better AFTER it gets rebuilt. The B model loader might be the ONLY one that does it that way, I know the C's and D's used some kind of mickey mouse linkage to control the curl VALVE

Hoe - I think Ford hoes may have a single cylinder for swing, never played with one - the Case uses 2, plumbed opposite and fed from the same valves; one pushes and the other one pulls. Makes for a pretty strong swing. Then there's 2 for stabilizers, 2 (one each side) for the boom, one for the stick and one for bucket curl. So the hoe has 8 cylinders and the loader 5, for a nice lucky #13

So today, since I'd run out of excuses I started on the "leakin' Lena curl cylinder" - at one point in time I had 3 chain comealongs in use, more of the "tinker toys", tried to get the gland nut to loosen up cold using the "official spanner wrench", obviously designed by the same idiot who thought dinky little holes in the end of the gland were gonna work after 40 years of not comin' apart - didn't work THIS time EITHER -

Then out comes the air hammer and a 1" round hammer bit, went all around the face of the gland and all around the barrel of the cylinder where the (about 2" long) threads are on the gland - spanner tool back on the gland, 18" 3/4 drive breaker bar and 3 foot cheater, ain't gonna move (and yes, I DID remove the little screw that locks things in place) -

Moved on to the tried and true "hot wrench and pipe wrench" combo - the OTHER side I did several years ago LEFT HANDED, just used a #7 tip on the torch and the 3' pipe wrench, STILL took a while to get it started -

So THIS time I stuck a rosebud on the torch, Ac @ 12 psi and O2 @ 25, neutral flame and tried to heat up JUST THE CYLINDER BARREL WHERE THE THREADS ARE INSIDE - got it pretty warm, dull to medium cherry in places, caught the old seals on fire, IR temp gun showed just under 900F when I checked - heavy weld gloves, slipped the pipe wrench on the (about 1/4" thick) gland face expecting to hafta lean into it pretty good (even with TWO arms this time ) - sucker just unscrewed almost by HAND - in fact, I cooled things off more with air ('bout 400F), grabbed the gland with one hand and unscrewed it the last 1-1/2" THAT way

No complaints, just surprised - guess I know how the OTHER 8 are gonna get done...

Anyway, here's the skinny -

More of the tinker toys in action, only way I could get a straight line pull to get the rod out - first time was just to dump the extra oil out of the cylinder, the hoses still attached and dumped into those (not blue) buckets -


Closer -

Rod out and back in, 2 comealongs locking everything together at a good angle for heating - any time I need to heat a gland nut I ALWAYS run the rod all the way IN first, that way the piston seals don't melt and make a bigger mess further inside the tube...


Some friendly persuasion -

Might not've needed quite that much :laughing: -


Handle coulda been about half that long (THIS time), but the shorter ones aren't DEEP enough (and NO, that's NOT quite where it wuz used, just a photo op -



Might need a little clean-up; no biggie, CRC carb cleaner cuts the melted seal stuff pretty good -



Rod/gland/piston, clamped in one of the heavier (97#) tinker toys, ready to disassemble (typically 450-500 lbs torque on the piston nut), clean up, new kit installed - the vise is good for it (used it before for this), and the 1" impact should get it off no problem -


Probably only get things cleaned up manana, Mom's day stuff - also, I found a tool kit that "folds" those NOT fun internal gland seals into their grooves much easier, might just wait til it gets here to re-assemble... Steve

 

[Xfaxman]

I sure like your tinker toy idea. :thumbsup:

I could add vertical receiver tubes to the outside edges of my Eterra Dual Hitch Receiver:

It is heavy duty, extra strong:

3500 pounds hitch weight on the top hitch:

 

[BukitCase]

Thanks, me too - I keep finding ways to use 'em rather than my back, and if I "can't get there from here", I'll fab a couple more that WILL work and add 'em to the pile... it's been a while since I needed to do that though.

Last year after a heavy wind, I found a volunteer prune tree (near neighbor's fence) laid over into his yard - cleanup, even with my 6'x8'x2' brush bucket, woulda been a mess, so I used a pair of 45* adapters, 2 4' tubes (like a bale spear) and 2 6' tubes for spreaders, then picked up the whole tree (minus the root ball) and moved it over to my burn pile (so I wouldn't hafta move the mess TWICE ) then cut up the pieces I'd use for firewood.


Cleanup (HIS yard) consisted of picking up 3-4 twigs :thumbsup:

Your ssqa receiver and telehandler would be an even MORE versatile combo, I'd say GO for it... Steve

 

[Oldpath05]

Ok I'm still a little hung up on the cylinder count you might have to type it in slow motion. Where's the self leveling FEL cylinder? and I'm not getting the 8 on BH, 2 for swing, ok) 2 for stabilizer, ok) (1 on the boom, ok) one on bucket curl, ok)<<<<adds up to 8 not ok.

Yup I'd say you had enough heat, so you used that giant monkey wrench on the you call it Gland Nut, got it. The last picture is the rod with seals on the end, how do they come off, I'm assuming you're going to change everything? This whole cylinder rebuild looks strange with no blue buckets in sight, maybe your projects are bucket color coded, white buckets for tractor repair, that's something I'd do, I color code everything with type and markers..................