• 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!

977 a little Light in the Rear

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,305
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
Removing dead traction motors is a normal daily occurrence for these companies. I am sure that 977 and those guys have done that exact same job many times in the past. Not saying it is 100% right but maybe the procedure is grandfathered like the Cats with no ROPS.
 

Inline6359

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
13
Location
New Brighton
You guys do realize this is a repair on a line of road to get the locomotive to the shop for a new traction motor replacement. Not standard operating procedure by the rail carrier. So why would they purchase a crane? The cost vs return dosent seem very good. Besides if needed, these outfits usually have 80klb excavators they seem to drag around if needed.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,432
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
We are all aware, just enjoy making light of what they were doing and the dance that 977 was taking.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
I realize what it is and if this company specializes in it they probably do it a lot so why not have a better machine for doing it. Just from a safety standpoint using a 977 is a lot more dangerous.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
How many people on here have talked about changing a slewing bearing using on the subject machine by itself? The track loader might have been a little light in the back, but I nothing that indicated that it was unsafe to use for the purpose in the video. No one was under the load, the load wasn't picked high enough to totally upset the loader on its nose, and I couldn't see if the chains are set on a tooth or a ring inside the bucket. I've lifted PC650 and PC1000 on chains and who knows how many counterweights.
 

Birken Vogt

Charter Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
5,305
Location
Grass Valley, Ca
I wasn't even thinking about a crane being the alternative, I was thinking excavator. Some of the places they go, a crane would not even begin to make it in, much less have room to set up and work. Plus the track loader can fix the road if it is washed out, and make itself a spot to work from.
 

Inline6359

Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2018
Messages
13
Location
New Brighton
These companies don’t mess around. I’m sure if it made sense to have a crane they would. In the meantime the 77 handled it fine, I’m sure it was light in the rear, I’m also sure the front sinking in the ballast made it look worse then it was.
 

mowingman

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2010
Messages
1,228
Location
SE Ohio
Occupation
Retired
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="
" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Here is a good video of what the sidebooms can do in railroad work. (I hope)
 
Top