The Story of Seven Cranes and their Transformation - Part I
This is the story of seven little cranes who lived in a big wood, far, far away. In the woods they were happy lifting things and moving things from here to there, and it was good. The cranes were of a simple vintage, from a simpler time, when model numbers were only three digits and manufacturers were new. They all enjoyed living together in the woods, but somehow they new something was lacking. Whatever it was did not bother them much, so they were content.
Then one day, along came the mage bluebarn, who cast a long look at the seven, and the mage bluebarn saw and understood what they were lacking; an identity. Oh sure they could be easily recognized for what they were, a TH40, a HC170, the twins, a pair of HC130’s, a LT1100, an AC335 and an AC435. What they lacked was a company, someone to belong to, a family so to speak.
The mage bluebarn consulted with his advisors, the best soothsayers of the diecast world, and determined to give them a family to belong to. The mage bluebarn contacted bobm2004, a humble re-maker and re-painter, to give the seven an identity, a family to belong to. The mage bluebarn also knew that bobm2004 would work his magic and the family would be complete.
Behold the transformation of the seven to the family Mammoet! At the request of bobm2004, the mage bluebarn has graciously allowed bobm2004 to share the transformation of the seven, in a special step by step presentation in multiple parts.
(okay so I have lost my mind-I am happy, so who cares!)
The first step in any transformation is disassembly, which in the past has always been done off camera, but today we show it all. The first step is to have a whole crane on the bench, say an AC435
Turn the crane over on its back and start looking for screws to remove to take off the suspension
Once all the suspension is off, remove the tires from the rims. Next remove the winch drum(s), in this case by pulling out the winding pin. Be careful when pulling out the drum as there is usually a spring inside that provides attention. Be careful not to let the spring go flying
Utilizing the appropriate screwdriver, remove the crane from the truck body
Remove the counter weight by removing the screws or retainers
Remove the crane cab and crane housing, usually by drilling out rivets underneath. Carefully and without too much force, gently tap out the pin holding the boom from the crane body and remove the boom.
Now for the tricky part, separating the boom section. Fully extend the boom until the boom stops are engaged and turn over. Then, with a small screw driver depress the boom stop and pull the boom section forward, but not completely out.
Place your finger over the boom and continue to slide it out, to prevent the boom keeper from flying out-its spring loaded!! Believe you me I have spent many an hour on my hands and knees looking for both the keeper and the spring!
Repeat the process on each section
Continue on with removing the cab and you’re done, a taken apart crane.
Repeat seven more times!!
Thus ends the first part of the post. There will many more to follow as we watch the seven cranes complete their transformation!!
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