Drott 85RM2 Go Devil Crane

[Rustyferrious]

Brought home a Drott 85RM2 "Go Devil" carry deck crane today. 60's vintage (serial #570). 8500 lb rating. 16' working radius. Starts and runs fine. Cylinders all good. A few oil leaks here and there, several grease zirks painted over. Going to give it a good lube and check fluid levels/change oils/fluids. Needs a set of 9.00 x 15 tires. Powerking still offers them. After I'm sure the mechanicals are good I'll replace them. It's been a yard crane for a welding/fabrication shop for the last 20 years or so, mostly kept indoors when not at work.

 

[Wagtail]

Very nice.

Did it include the Owners Manual?

 

[Rustyferrious]

No, I had to buy the service & parts manuals on eBay....... Have not yet located an owner's or operator's manual.

 

[Rustyferrious]

Due to a host of other projects, I have not had much time to work on the Drott over the summer other than order the parts and service manuals. I was able to download a manual for the Continental F163 engine yesterday. I did get into it a bit this weekend. Made a modification to the power steering pump bracket to allow for a little more belt tension. Found a new oil filter in stock at my local Advance Auto along with 4 new spark plugs. I plan to change the oil tomorrow, weather permitting. Cleaned the air filter element too. Needs a grease job but first I have to clean off all the zirks, they painted over everything!

 

[2458n]

The old continentals were used in everything. Very common in forklifts, air compressors, and tractors. I have a old Jeagar compressor that I bought off the township. Ran a Lindsey sandblaster all summer. Covered the straight exhaust pipe with a coffee can and duct tape. Come spring everything is still in place. Engine full of water because straight pipe was cracked at manifold. Had sold a leaf vac [from the city] that had a similar motor. Spent two years before finding another on a water pump. The distributor is like 400.00.

 

[Rustyferrious]

The wife didn't like looking at the "big yellow thing" in the yard so I told her I'd take care of it......

Now you can barely see it!

 

[Rustyferrious]

Oil Change complete, oil was very dirty, but no water or antifreeze present. Took the opportunity to remove & repaint the filter canister. Also changed the spark plugs and did a compression test on the engine. 120 lb to 130 lbs. I was pretty happy about the range. Engine temp gauge was not working, the wire lead had come loose at a crimp splice. I'll repair it tomorrow. Power steering doesn't squeal anymore. I painted the underside of the two engine compartment plates. I'll give the top sides a couple of coats tomorrow too. Next up is cleaning the grease fittings and giving it a good lube.

 

[Spanner]

Interesting little machine. 360 deg. rotation.
They look like something you might find useful on an aircraft carrier.

 

[TimberHole]

Years back we erected about 1,000 tons of steel with a Broderson carry deck crane. We made a jib for it by splitting a rectangular tube. They are very handy and capable machines.

 

[Rustyferrious]

It is a neat little crane. I bought it to move landscape materials around my property, those pallets of wall block weigh about a ton, much more than my little BX can handle, . I also deal in antique machinery and it should come in handy for that as well. Broderson made a similar model, the welding shop I bought it from had acquired a newer Broderson, had the jib and more capacity so they weren't using the Drott much anymore. They did keep it indoors which was nice.