1966 Pettibone MultiKrane Model 25

Just purchased my first crane. 1966 Pettibone MultiKrane Model 25.

It's in pretty rough shape: Stuck in low gear, no throttle control (unless you count the string tied to the fuel injector level), can't seem to get it into reverse, and generally looks abused (small trees growing in cab).

On plus side: detroit diesel starts easily (minimal black smoke), all boom functions appear to work, cost less than $5k (so I have some $$ to get it fixed).

Seller sent Tippin Parts Manual, but no Service or Owner's Manual.

Plan is to get throttle working so I can move it to a convenient place to work on the rest of it. Any suggestions on getting it into reverse? (I have seen elsewhere in the forum that this is an issue with the MK25 but no real solution given)

NOW FOR MY REAL QUESTIONs:

Where do I start?
Change fluids? filters? hydraulic hoses? etc.?
Then what?

Tires have dry rot. Do they need to be replaced? Or can they be used as long as they hold air?

Does anyone know where I can get a Service or Owner's Manual?

BACKGROUND
My Planned Use:
Plan to use it on my farm to build a barn. Biggest lift will be 40' shipping container (8500#) about 30' on top of 2 other containers. Otherwise I will use it minimally for lifting downed trees and moving rocks on my farm. May keep or sell it depending on my needs.

My Background:
In a previous life, I was a mechanical engineer drilliing oil/gas wells for Exxon (not BP, sounds like they did some really stupid things) in the gulf. Now I'm an Orthopaedic Surgeon (pay is better and no corporate politics). I enjoy working on and using heavy equipment when I have time. This is a hobby.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

/GregEJ

Welcome to the forum gjeans. :usa

That machine is going so far back it's hard to remember anything about them. I'd be willing to bet the fwd/rev operates a control cable and it's stuck. I'd be surprised if it was a manual transmission type fwd/rev. If it's an automatic type tranny, locate the control spool that shifts fwd/rev, disconnect control cable from spool, and try to move spool in and out manually. As far as that 8000 lb lift goes, does the machine have a load chart on it anywhere. I'd be curious if that 25 ton, 50 foot boom machine could make that lift. Only a load chart would verify that it could.

I think it is an automatic transmission. I should get a chance to play with it tomorrow.

No load chart. One of the main reasons I'm looking for an operator's/service manual.

I'll put up some pictures tomorrow.

More than likely a Clark transmission in that machine. Probably has a fwd/rev control spool and likely a seperate Hi/Lo range spool, more than likely controlled by push/pull control cables. Disconnect the control cable where it connects to the tranny control spool and see if lever operates. If it doesn't, control cable likely siezed, but you should be able to snap spool in and out by hand, just make sure engine is off when doing this. When you start engine, it will be in gear to move.

I'm just thinking that's not going to be enough crane for the lift you want to make. You're saying you want to put a shipping container on top of two other stacked containers? I'm not certain what the height of a shipping container is, maybe 8 feet, so two containers would be 16 feet off the ground. Then have to allow for the container your lifting being an addtional 8 feet, that makes 24'. And being your lifting a 40' long container, the 4-way spreader your going to have to use will have to be a good long length to reach the lifting lugs of the container. By the time you add all this up, you're easily going to have a lifting hook height of 45 - 50 feet. The boom of the crane is only 50 feet. Now it may make this lift, I just have no way of knowing, I'm simply informing you that it might not be enough machine to make the lift.

Hey Dr G, it looks like we had the same idea on your Pettibone! This is what I do at 3am when pain overtakes sleep. Anyway I will keep searching and by the way I was your 9:15 Wed morning!

DiveDigger,
Thanks for the help. Please Keep looking. Let me know if you find anything.
Haven't had a chance to fiddle with it much yet. Mostly due to weather and other committments. I'm sure I'd have it running already if people would quit breaking things.

/GregEJ

Finally Got to Play w/ Crane

Got the crane moving couple of weekends ago.

All Hydraulics seem to work as they should, boom, winch, outriggers, steering, etc.

Drive wheels work forward & reverse, both 2wd & 4wd but VERY WEAK. Able to move slightly forward and reverse but only on flat ground not uphill even at VERY mild grade less than 5%. And even that only in low gear. Friend who knows something about cranes thinks it is the clutch. Any suggestions to find out for sure?

/GregEJ

Did you get this up and running? I would replace the tires. It may be some small dry rot but if you do a rubber pick it could cause you problems. It could be a clutch but make sure the parking break isn't dragging.

Got it running

Did finally get the old girl running.
Not a clutch problem.
Airflow problem.
Very Old air filter dissintigrated and clogged just up stream of the turbo clogging a course mesh screen. 4cyl Detroit Diesel was breathing through 2 holes smaller than a pinky.
Still in shop and costs are adding up.
$1500 Rebuilt Turbo + install.
$1000 Engine Rebuild & Tune
$2000 Replace bent main cylinder shaft
$2000 Rebuild / Remanuf Brakes ($500 x4)
Plus Misc
Turning out to be an expensive hobby.
/GregEJ

Parts are Parts, whether its mechanical or body parts, they all wear out!! One thing for sure, no one else on your block will have a long reach mail and trash can retriver! Just park half way between house and road plus it can double as a kiddie ride instead of going to the fair, maybe set up a local bungee jump in the Walmart parking lot on weekends to make her earn her keep! Glad to hear the news and still looking for tires but no luck as of yet. Thanks Divedigger

Yeah, the best toys are always the most expensive. It's good that you are getting her back into shape. By the time you are done she will last a lifetime. As long as you maintain her...

Do you still have the crane? If so, did you solve the trans issue?

joe

after you get through getting everything operational on the neckbreaker, do yourself a huge favor. hire someone with the proper sized crane (at least 30 ton) that has the proper rigging for the lift, and knows what they are doing. a professional with your credentials knows better than experiment in this area (mech engineer should know how to research how a crane is rated), model 25 bone is rated 12.5 ton @10' radius with all booms retracted. stay safe, don't become one of your patients.