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dragline repair, swing and drum brakes

curly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
220
Location
Sioux Falls,SD
Occupation
loader operator
We have an old 25-B Bacyrus Erie dragline that more or less works but needs a little help. The swing brake is not working and the drum brakes (for cables) seem to stick as well as the crane will crawl forward and back but turning is a no go. I would like to know how involved it would be to find the parts responsible and diagnose the issues. I imagine the biggest thing is that they need a cleaning and some grease where applicable. The engine is just fine and other than needing some guards so it can pass MSHA inspection there isn't much other than the above mentioned items. So yeah, how hard is it to check the brakes and clean the parts?
 

surfer-joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2007
Messages
1,403
Location
Arizona
Grease and/or oil the linkages and other controls. Make some adjustments to maybe the brake and clutch controls and see if that helps. It's been a while and I do not remember the name of a powder (quicklime?) that you can dust onto the brakes to help clean rust and oil or grease off them. Some others here can probably help with that. If the crane has been sitting and not used for a while, you may have to remove and clean out some bearings and bushings that have accumulated a buildup of dried out grease and dirt. Likewise, if the swing gears have been lubricated with Crater Compound, they will likely need to be scraped or steamed and new compound applied.

Otherwise, most of the older cranes can have worn out or damaged friction bands relined by custom brake reline shops or crane dealers. Usually that is all that is needed as the drums rarely become damaged to the extent they need to be replaced. To make up for loss of drum dimension, the frictions can be installed oversized.

The dog clutches for steering may also be clogged or stuck with old grease and dirt. They may need cleaning and relubrication. These old cranes were built with a lot of toughness and simplicity. If the engine and various gearboxes are ok, you should be able to bring the old gal back to life.

The more the crane is worked, the better it will run. Good Luck!
 

Buckethead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
1,055
Location
Waterfront
Occupation
Operator
Grease and/or oil the linkages and other controls. Make some adjustments to maybe the brake and clutch controls and see if that helps. It's been a while and I do not remember the name of a powder (quicklime?) that you can dust onto the brakes to help clean rust and oil or grease off them. Some others here can probably help with that. If the crane has been sitting and not used for a while, you may have to remove and clean out some bearings and bushings that have accumulated a buildup of dried out grease and dirt. Likewise, if the swing gears have been lubricated with Crater Compound, they will likely need to be scraped or steamed and new compound applied.

Otherwise, most of the older cranes can have worn out or damaged friction bands relined by custom brake reline shops or crane dealers. Usually that is all that is needed as the drums rarely become damaged to the extent they need to be replaced. To make up for loss of drum dimension, the frictions can be installed oversized.

The dog clutches for steering may also be clogged or stuck with old grease and dirt. They may need cleaning and relubrication. These old cranes were built with a lot of toughness and simplicity. If the engine and various gearboxes are ok, you should be able to bring the old gal back to life.

The more the crane is worked, the better it will run. Good Luck!

Fullers Earth is the name of the powder for the frictions and brakes. Is the lock for the brakes on? Do you have a Bucyrus manual?
 

curly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
220
Location
Sioux Falls,SD
Occupation
loader operator
I believe we have a manual of sorts, but I haven't flipped through it yet. The lock for the brakes is on.
 

Buckethead

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2007
Messages
1,055
Location
Waterfront
Occupation
Operator
I believe we have a manual of sorts, but I haven't flipped through it yet. The lock for the brakes is on.

If you haven't worked on friction cranes before you need to really study the manual. I was thinking maybe the sticking of the brakes you described was the brake lock being left on.
 

surfer-joe

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2007
Messages
1,403
Location
Arizona
Thanks Buckethead! I couldn't remember the name "Fullers Earth" for nothing, despite the fact that I've used a barrel of it over the years.
 

curly

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2008
Messages
220
Location
Sioux Falls,SD
Occupation
loader operator
Thanks, one day I'll be able to look through that manual and make sure it has been operated correctly. Unfortunately I have been working at the neighboring pit and have no time to check into the dragline, but on the plus I got a chance to run a 140H grader.
 

drag1line

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
127
Location
Houston, Texas
At the extreme risk of showing my age,
That machine is operated by an air system for the swing brake and travel brakes.
To turn the machine, one spring set brake in the lower comes on and it's dog clutch must come out. As long as you have the required 120 psi of air pressure, and consider to power the air system remotely so that you can hear leaks. The GM engine will drown all other sounds.
You could have stuck clutch cylinders and dog clutch cylinders due to rust. Make sure the air lubricator is working.
Sticking main drum brakes. Engage the draw works, no hoist or drag and slip the brakes as the drum turn.
The 25B did have touchy swing drums, but the swing pressure is adjustable as is it's holding power, but the drums must be clean from rust.
Good Luck
 

Dirt Devil

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
20
Location
Monash, South Australia
Occupation
school student, tafe student
hey guys, sorry for butting in on your thread but just wondering what ever happen to the old dragline? ive had a nose around on the net a bit but i thought i might go straight to the experts =) couple questions:
1. is there any companys that still make draglines, and if so what are their names?
2. do they really only have one use (strip mining)?

cheers from australia
 

stumpjumper83

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2007
Messages
1,974
Location
Port Allegany, pa
Occupation
Movin dirt
well for those looking for old cranes, draglines. and shovels... take alot thru this places web site. They specialize in repairing old cranes and the likes. They have a good sized yard with some cranes for sale and others for spares. They even have a section that they test the machines out in.... Good place to tour if your in the area.
 

Dirt Devil

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2008
Messages
20
Location
Monash, South Australia
Occupation
school student, tafe student
well for those looking for old cranes, draglines. and shovels... take alot thru this places web site. They specialize in repairing old cranes and the likes. They have a good sized yard with some cranes for sale and others for spares. They even have a section that they test the machines out in.... Good place to tour if your in the area.

:eek:
Do they have a website could have a look at?
 

texascadillac42

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
82
Location
Midwest
You can also try ****'s crane service in Lincolnshire IL. They are very helpful when it comes to the older crane stuff.
 

Donn

New Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2009
Messages
3
Location
Mulberry, Florida, USA
Occupation
VP HCS, Scottsdale, AZ
For old equipment sources also try the Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) at their museum in Boling Green Ohio
 
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