Gradall pivot steering?

[Speedpup]

When buying a used machine what do you look for on wear points? Can you tell condition with the machine on the ground and weight on the axle? How much work to rebuild the pivot steering? How do you check the pumps on the wheels? Thanks!

[544D10]

Sorry for the late reply, there are a few areas to look at on the rear steering to check for wear.

You can check the following with the machine running, sitting in the cab look out the back window at each tire (one at a time). Look at the steering ram (#40) where it connects to the spindle (#6), move the steering wheel left and right rapidly maybe only 2" total while looking at the ram, you will be able to see if there is any wear or slop in the joint. The

Also check the upper and lower spindle joints (#18's) in the same manner by quick steering wheel movement.

I would also if possible get the back tires off the ground, stand facing the tire and try to pull the top of the tire towards yourself, if you feel any movement that is going to be a Planetary Gearbox bearing problem (the big hub in the middle of the tire). These are NOT cheap, although they are not that hard to replace. I recently helped our main mechanic replace one and he said its $1,800.00 for the part.

No tips on checking the rear drive pumps but if you can test drive it make sure the rear wheels don't bind up like driving a truck with a locker in it on the street. This would again be a Planetary problem.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc77/1320fastback/rearaxle3.jpg

[Speedpup]

The bearing doesn't come out of the planetary hub? I can and did replace the bearings it a Lull 1044B planetary when it went bad years ago. I'll look to see if the planetary is blown up on the parts catalog on JLG. If I can't pick up something heavy to raise the back I'll bring a jack and some stands to raise it up. I really don't go over 40 feet much but like the reach and capacity of a bigger 544 vs 6000 lb. Still undecided until I drive one of each and I do like outriggers.

One in PA a 2001 544D no clue when I can get to look at it with work. They are looking for 23,000 it has a supposed 3800 hrs on it.



Thanks all for the help!:drinkup

[Speedpup]

any other tips as what to look for? Any thing in the boom like hoses? I will check the boom for deformations and the specs are on the Gradall JLG site.

[RandyS]

This is way late but are you still looking at the Gradall?

[Speedpup]

This is way late but are you still looking at the Gradall?

Looking to dive one first to see if I like them. Not many in my area if any. i was going to PA but I never have time. It may be a while till I see one.

[RandyS]

You either hate them or love them. I really like the "real" (pre-JLG) ones...simple and easy to maintain. Lots of stuff to look at on the steering end before you buy a used one!

[Speedpup]

What did JLG change? When did they take over 03? I see some of the first JLG say Gradall but they are really the JLG design ans steering. Thanks! I am looking at the 35 and below range so I am at 03 or older. Some really being given away on Ebay/.

[RandyS]

Make sure you drive one and decide whether the rear steer only is what you want. Personally I love it, but I'm biased towards the maintenance side of things and the Gradall can't be beat for that. I have a roofing contractor that has 6 of them, refuses to use anything else!
I think JLG acquired Gradall in 1999 and as far as I know they quit making "real" Gradalls in 03.

[ATCOEQUIP]

I agree with RandyS, Speedpup. You really ought to drive one and see what you think. We drive industrial forklifts with rear steer all the time, and think nothing of it. But when you do it on a larger machine, like a telehandler, it's just...different. We're so used to 4 wheel steer on these things, it just has a different feel. They still turn just as sharp, just does it in a different way. I know I have used the word "different" several times here, but that the best word I can think of to describe it. We have a 534D on our lot, I've used it several time, I like the machine, but it does have a different feel with the steering. :)

[Speedpup]

Make sure you drive one and decide whether the rear steer only is what you want. Personally I love it, but I'm biased towards the maintenance side of things and the Gradall can't be beat for that. I have a roofing contractor that has 6 of them, refuses to use anything else!
I think JLG acquired Gradall in 1999 and as far as I know they quit making "real" Gradalls in 03.

What do you mean exactly when you say real Gradall? What did JLG change? I think they were incorporating boom construction in all the lines. The real ones are about where my pocket book would end anyway. I don't want a payment.:eek:

[RandyS]

"Real" Gradalls are blue and only steer on the rear axle, rear tires will rotate nearly 90 degrees each way. I haven't seen any made after 2003 or so but I could be wrong.

[Speedpup]

"Real" Gradalls are blue and only steer on the rear axle, rear tires will rotate nearly 90 degrees each way. I haven't seen any made after 2003 or so but I could be wrong.

they still make them and they are still blue. I know what you mean now as the JLG line has 4 wheel steer and were called Gradall.

http://www.jlg.com/en-US/ProductLine.html?BaseProductLineNodeId=d91e781d-85a0-4eb8-a6a3-410d78ad8fa1&ProductLineNodeId=8545db8b-6b91-4a50-8054-ca06347ebcf0&GroupProductLineNodeId=80b5517a-0af7-479b-a3f3-9618d495523d&ProductRootMenuId=d39badf6-70c2-4fa3-a03c-268cb1f085d7

[crane operator]

The best way I can describe rear-only steering is this: When you're in the cab and you steer left, the forklift pivots on your front left tire. A four-wheel steer fork will pivot around the cab, or center left side (actually at a point about 3' straight out,beside the cab). It makes a difference when you're coming in to stab a pallet, while turning, or turning in to place something, in how you line up. You would actually start turning sooner, driving a rear steer only, because your front tire, as pivot point, reaches the turn point first. A 4 wheel steer you have to wait till the cab reaches that point to make your turn. Once you're used to rear steer only, it will just change when you start to turn in, it doesn't change your turning radius. In some ways it is nicer because the teeth are closer to the pivot point, meaning the boom isn't way out in front making a sweeping corner. The mast is right by the pivot point making it easier to judge where it will end up. Hope this makes sense, if not just ignore it.

[RandyS]

they still make them and they are still blue. I know what you mean now as the JLG line has 4 wheel steer and were called Gradall.

http://www.jlg.com/en-US/ProductLine.html?BaseProductLineNodeId=d91e781d-85a0-4eb8-a6a3-410d78ad8fa1&ProductLineNodeId=8545db8b-6b91-4a50-8054-ca06347ebcf0&GroupProductLineNodeId=80b5517a-0af7-479b-a3f3-9618d495523d&ProductRootMenuId=d39badf6-70c2-4fa3-a03c-268cb1f085d7

Well Hot Darn!!! :) I had thought they quit making them!

[544D10]

We have a 2006 model that is still a Gradall athough it says JLG on the manual and data plate.