That is one of the options discussed, right now we are waiting for a warmer stretch as the work will be outside, and I've been busy as heck, having been able to set a lot of trusses, and just yesterday a 12K lb oil tank, without the short jacked outrigger being a factor. At least now I'm still working, once it's pulled out I'm 100% out of business. Times like this I start thinking I need a backup machine.
-
Thank you for visiting HeavyEquipmentForums.com! Our objective is to provide industry professionals a place to gather to exchange questions, answers and ideas. We welcome you to register using the "Register" icon at the top of the page. We'd appreciate any help you can offer in spreading the word of our new site. The more members that join, the bigger resource for all to enjoy. Thank you!
Working the National 1300A
- Thread starter Natman
- Start date
crane operator
Senior Member
Get your outrigger fixed yet?
skyking1
Senior Member
we looked at several nice rigs for my friend, he wants an RT but I found some decent trucks.
Here is a 50 for 52K.
https://www.cranetrader.com/listings/search?Category=1019&Manufacturer=GROVE&State=OREGON
Here is a 50 for 52K.
https://www.cranetrader.com/listings/search?Category=1019&Manufacturer=GROVE&State=OREGON
Outrigger not fixed yet! We had our coldest weather so far of the winter, plus the guy I use was out of town. He had a window of opportunity last week, but I was booked solid with work. This time of year, no use fighting single digits, when the next weather system could have it in the 50's, this upcoming week looks good. To my surprise, it has been a minor inconvenience rather than a deal breaker, as most of the jobs I do I can set up so if I work that quadrant at all, it's minimal, and if I do I reset the LMI to babysit me. Not having used the LMI in that mode very often, I am now more familiar with my capacity and it is better than I'd thought.
Of course, now that I am so comfortable with this workaround, I need to be doubly careful, and not do something stupid! So far no incidents even close, haven't forgot once, so maybe I should be triply careful. I just counted, 38 jobs since working in this restricted mode, mostly truss jobs and HVAC. A couple times the framers had to bring a stack of trusses a bit closer, but they had a forklift. Oh, and one time I was yakking with a contractor while extending the outriggers, and accidentally went all the way out with the bad one...., and it's extension was normal. I freaked and immediately pulled it back in to halfway, and that was also normal. But we will still tear into it, just nedd my mechanics schedule to jive with mine, and the weather.
Of course, now that I am so comfortable with this workaround, I need to be doubly careful, and not do something stupid! So far no incidents even close, haven't forgot once, so maybe I should be triply careful. I just counted, 38 jobs since working in this restricted mode, mostly truss jobs and HVAC. A couple times the framers had to bring a stack of trusses a bit closer, but they had a forklift. Oh, and one time I was yakking with a contractor while extending the outriggers, and accidentally went all the way out with the bad one...., and it's extension was normal. I freaked and immediately pulled it back in to halfway, and that was also normal. But we will still tear into it, just nedd my mechanics schedule to jive with mine, and the weather.
I wasn't stuck, I just couldn't move! Super greasy mud, but at least I got the trusses set first. When I pulled in I put the odds at 50/50 I'd get out. Hoping it'd freeze up overnight, I got my e bike out, despite the contractor being more than willing to give me a ride to my shop, where my ride home was. Only 8 miles, all in town, piece of cake.
Next morning, with no overnight freeze, I lifted up all the tires and put the microlams I use for cribbing under them, knowing I'd break a few, but I get the 36" long pieces for free anyway, too short except for my uses. That got me about 10' back, and at least out of the place I had tore up a bit. Then I got my hot tub rigging out, the only rigging I carry that is actually not certified for overhead lifting but IS meant for recovery purposes, them and my old rigging I use for tows, and jobs where I know it may be get tore up a bit (chunks of concrete, boulder work, things like that, and also not being lifted over anything or anybody, a bit over 100' all shackled together. That put the half ton pickup on dry asphalt, and that was all it took, to everyone's surprise once he ran out of road, I was able to keep moving. One guy had the presence of mind to unhook the strap from my rear hook before I drove over it or had to stop. The goat was a neighbor, real friendly, and lent a bit of comic relief.
Off loaded a 11K metal brake today, off my "weak" side, with that left rear out only halfway, the LMI told me I was good for 15 K at that radius, but I still swung it around over my bed just to let the other 3 fully extended outriggers help out. I also point out to the homeowner, that put less stress on his asphalt, also why I was on the rubber, I have yet to mess up a residential paving job. Castle above is a job I did a few years back, looked pretty cool thru the mist, kinda rough up close though. Edit: pictures don't seem to be loading....
Next morning, with no overnight freeze, I lifted up all the tires and put the microlams I use for cribbing under them, knowing I'd break a few, but I get the 36" long pieces for free anyway, too short except for my uses. That got me about 10' back, and at least out of the place I had tore up a bit. Then I got my hot tub rigging out, the only rigging I carry that is actually not certified for overhead lifting but IS meant for recovery purposes, them and my old rigging I use for tows, and jobs where I know it may be get tore up a bit (chunks of concrete, boulder work, things like that, and also not being lifted over anything or anybody, a bit over 100' all shackled together. That put the half ton pickup on dry asphalt, and that was all it took, to everyone's surprise once he ran out of road, I was able to keep moving. One guy had the presence of mind to unhook the strap from my rear hook before I drove over it or had to stop. The goat was a neighbor, real friendly, and lent a bit of comic relief.
Off loaded a 11K metal brake today, off my "weak" side, with that left rear out only halfway, the LMI told me I was good for 15 K at that radius, but I still swung it around over my bed just to let the other 3 fully extended outriggers help out. I also point out to the homeowner, that put less stress on his asphalt, also why I was on the rubber, I have yet to mess up a residential paving job. Castle above is a job I did a few years back, looked pretty cool thru the mist, kinda rough up close though. Edit: pictures don't seem to be loading....
I got my outrigger beam issue resolved, by forgetting 3 different times and running it out all the way, and it retracted normally! I did spray some lube on the top and bottom (which I hated doing to the top, as that's where I walk out to yell at the dummy on the tagline/give helpful advice to the tag line person) and as of now.....lube will be the only thing I plan on doing. It ain't broke so I'm not going to fix it, I will be hyperalert though when retracting it, in case the issue re-surfaces. For now we are calling it a mystery gremlin, maybe ice, whatever, it's now working fine.
Here's the pic I tried to post a while back, of the tow job. I do not want to give the impression I
use my regular rigging willy nilly for yanking out stuck equipment, not so, the actual pull was so mild it could have been done with a half ton 2 wheel drive pickup.
Here's the pic I tried to post a while back, of the tow job. I do not want to give the impression I
use my regular rigging willy nilly for yanking out stuck equipment, not so, the actual pull was so mild it could have been done with a half ton 2 wheel drive pickup.
Nige
Senior Member
A thought. When you had trouble with it before did you try running the outrigger jack down until the pad just touched the ground to take the weight of the outrigger beam off the bottom of the "tunnel" it runs in.? I saw that method used often with sticky outriggers until someone could take the time to lube the bottom of the beam up again.
Might a dry silicone lube be a good option on the outrigger beam.? At least it wouldn't be sticky.
I didn't try that, and will keep it in mind. I already have some dry silicone spray, the best thing I have found for my plane's retractable wheel ski mechanism. Similar to the boom truck setup, just a beam within a beam.
It sure takes a load off my mind now, when I pull into a job (3 today) and don't have to setup so I can baby sit that side, nothing like a 360 degree full chart!
Set a 16 K water retention tank at a new hotel today, with a medical arts building going up below it. Two different out of town contractors, both with their own little tower cranes. I kibitzed a bit with the kid operating one of them, and was surprised at the line speed it had, even with the 2 part line, and of course it was quiet. I asked him why he didn't set the tank, as it was within his operating radius, (but way out there) and he just gave me the pig eye, good to see he was paying attention.
It sure takes a load off my mind now, when I pull into a job (3 today) and don't have to setup so I can baby sit that side, nothing like a 360 degree full chart!
Set a 16 K water retention tank at a new hotel today, with a medical arts building going up below it. Two different out of town contractors, both with their own little tower cranes. I kibitzed a bit with the kid operating one of them, and was surprised at the line speed it had, even with the 2 part line, and of course it was quiet. I asked him why he didn't set the tank, as it was within his operating radius, (but way out there) and he just gave me the pig eye, good to see he was paying attention.
skyking1
Senior Member
Those things are seriously weak sauce out in the last 25%. The one I was working under was pegged with 3/4 yard of pea gravel in a 400 pound garbo concrete bucket.
Nige
Senior Member
What I suggested was how I've seen a number of crane ops get "reluctant" outriggers to retract, and also how a lot of them used to set up the outriggers so that they could lubriate the bottom side of the outrigger beam, at least the bit that wasn't sticking out of the tunnel anyway. With the outrigger jack just raised up a hair there was enough space to shoot lube down through the gap.
crane operator
Senior Member
Didn't you bend the rod of the extension cylinder trying to move it? I don't think no lube would bend the rod. But the extension cylinders keep getting smaller.
My 100 ton will not retract the beams if they get too dry. I don't think I've run anything else that wouldn't suck them in dry, they may squeal something fierce, but they would retract.
Glad you're working well now.
My 100 ton will not retract the beams if they get too dry. I don't think I've run anything else that wouldn't suck them in dry, they may squeal something fierce, but they would retract.
Glad you're working well now.
Yes. it got bowed pretty good somewhere along the line, but my local hydraulic shop straightened it, said if a bit more and it would have needed replacement. Keeping in mind it's common for me to do 2,3, even 4 setups a day, so my outriggers get a pretty good workout. Lesson learned, LUBE THEM!
Just your usual "why it's handy to have a plane for crane work" post : Well over a 2 hr. one way drive, but a 40 minute flight (nothing like traveling in a straight line, over the mountains instead of around them) to this job I'll be doing Monday. 70' duplex trusses for this big pole barn. I'll shuttle them in stages closer as needed. Later today I will see if I can use this overhead pic, using the 70' trusses to scale things, to figure out the optimum place/places to set up to get the max reach for each shuttle, I'm told they weigh 1400 pounds per duplex truss.
Into the building where they will prep them as needed and I'll go back and lift them into place. I was assured that the mud is long gone..... but I did make sure that the excavator/tow truck seen onsite will still be there just in case. Bear Lake Utah, on the way back I did some ice skating and water skiing, with the plane's big tires just lightly touching the surface, great fun as long as the motor keeps running.
Into the building where they will prep them as needed and I'll go back and lift them into place. I was assured that the mud is long gone..... but I did make sure that the excavator/tow truck seen onsite will still be there just in case. Bear Lake Utah, on the way back I did some ice skating and water skiing, with the plane's big tires just lightly touching the surface, great fun as long as the motor keeps running.Attachments
Duplex? Is that two trusses laminated together? you have some work ahead of you. An almost square building can be hard to brace well. I hope it’s a seasoned crew. Good luck.
Yes, some of the local truss companies are starting to nail the girder trusses together before delivery, first time I also have heard the term "duplex" truss .
So... I pull in there this morning 15 minutes early, and after about 50' into the site, got stuck, with everything locked up as soon as I got off the pavement As soon as I stepped out, I had 5 pounds of mud on each boot, the extra sticky type of mud. I eyeball the rest of the area, and see a big excavator has just fired up and is clearly going to trench a sewer line line across part of where I will need to set up, IF I get unstuck that is. The mud also seems to get even worse further in. there is now way to do the job.... I go in to talk with the crew, who are busy taking down all the cross bracing on the posts, and they express surprise that I was stuck, and also inform me that the excavator and big loader onsite where NOT part of their crew, unlike what I was told earlier. The job foreman is still in transit, 15 minutes out, and then I had a epiphany: I don't need this stinking job, I'm outa here! I go talk to the X op, explain how we'll both be in each others way, and if he can jump in the loader and get me to the pavement I'd appreciate it. He does, and I drive off.
I feel for the all Hispanic crew, they'd also driven some distance and had no other work to do on the site until the truss prep could start, but I did not tell them I was leaving, sometimes action speaks louder than words. The head honcho in the office 100 miles away starts texting and calling me, saying "where did you go? My foreman is there and he says there's no mud!" I ignored the texts and the calls, it's payback time I figured, if they can't figure it out they are too dumb to work with. I didn't even get mad, I'll eat the travel time, I'm just happy that I can afford to blow those idiots off/don't need the hassle. I did text the foreman once, "too muddy," that was it, after that I figured my best response to further calls and texts was dead silence. STILL not pissed, it was the right call.
So... I pull in there this morning 15 minutes early, and after about 50' into the site, got stuck, with everything locked up as soon as I got off the pavement As soon as I stepped out, I had 5 pounds of mud on each boot, the extra sticky type of mud. I eyeball the rest of the area, and see a big excavator has just fired up and is clearly going to trench a sewer line line across part of where I will need to set up, IF I get unstuck that is. The mud also seems to get even worse further in. there is now way to do the job.... I go in to talk with the crew, who are busy taking down all the cross bracing on the posts, and they express surprise that I was stuck, and also inform me that the excavator and big loader onsite where NOT part of their crew, unlike what I was told earlier. The job foreman is still in transit, 15 minutes out, and then I had a epiphany: I don't need this stinking job, I'm outa here! I go talk to the X op, explain how we'll both be in each others way, and if he can jump in the loader and get me to the pavement I'd appreciate it. He does, and I drive off.
I feel for the all Hispanic crew, they'd also driven some distance and had no other work to do on the site until the truss prep could start, but I did not tell them I was leaving, sometimes action speaks louder than words. The head honcho in the office 100 miles away starts texting and calling me, saying "where did you go? My foreman is there and he says there's no mud!" I ignored the texts and the calls, it's payback time I figured, if they can't figure it out they are too dumb to work with. I didn't even get mad, I'll eat the travel time, I'm just happy that I can afford to blow those idiots off/don't need the hassle. I did text the foreman once, "too muddy," that was it, after that I figured my best response to further calls and texts was dead silence. STILL not pissed, it was the right call.
As a general contractor myself the first thing I do is PUT A DRIVEWAY IN presumably if they’re going to use this building in the future they’ll need a driveway, so why not put it in so everyone can get in and out. As to you leaving “ good on ya” a crane guy I swap work with told me he was backing into a job and as in your case it was a mud hole. So he got out to have a look, when he saw the site super stomping towards him, no hello just, “get your hard had on” so he said yep it’s in the cab, then he got in the truck and drove away with the super chasing him trying to get him to stop.
Yes, we can always take our ball and go home! It actually worked out good that the foreman wasn't there yet, I made a clean getaway, except for the big clumps of mud I left on the highway for some distance. And he STILL insisted to the office guy that there was no mud and couldn't understand why I left. "Life's hard, it's harder if your stupid."
skyking1
Senior Member
I hope you stopped to take a picture of your tracks after you bogged out of there. Worth at least a thousand not so pleasant words. I would have had a hard time doing your radio silence. I'm a work in progress though. Coming from 40 years of dirt work, that kind of site management is inexcusable.
110' of tower, 110' of boom (109.6' actually) and we didn't want to mess with the jib, which was on a trailer onsite, as I never travel with it as it puts me over 40K on my rears. The first sections were easy, but I had the idea on the last section to rig it so the load hook was actually inside the tower. I first picked it vertical and swung over by the tower, and the tower monkeys rigged it and kept on eye on things to ensure the important parts of the crane (the wedge and ATB weight etc.) stayed clear of the tower until it was lifted. Worked perfect, and saved the jib hassle.
A few days earlier, for the same customer, for sure needed the jib this time, and almost it's stinger. An all sheet steel group of silos, kind of interesting.
A few days earlier, for the same customer, for sure needed the jib this time, and almost it's stinger. An all sheet steel group of silos, kind of interesting.