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  1. CraneInnovation

    Grade Tips

    Just finished my first week operating full time, been in construction for 14 years though. Loving life, doing material processing in a Komatsu 360 on stockpiles. I have quite a bit of experience in smaller machines. I'm having a tougher time than I expected getting used to eyeballing grades...
  2. CraneInnovation

    Paint and Prep Help

    Hello all, its been a long while since I've posted here due to life and work events. I'm actually switching careers right now and about to start a job as an operator for a local sitework and landscaping company. I'm hoping this will give me time and a constant income stream to continue...
  3. CraneInnovation

    Question About Milling Rock?

    Hey all, I am working on the conceptual design for a rapid bridge replacement project in NH. The major issue with this location is not the bridge....its the profile of the roadway. To meet modern standards for vertical curves, grades, and sight distance, the road needs to come down up to...
  4. CraneInnovation

    Trenching in Deere 200

    Hey guys, I've been asked to run a JD 200 for a friend who needs to trench a 6' deep water line for about 200'. I've run smaller machines several times and completed several projects involving trenching, grading, demo, etc. I'm not anticipating that running a bigger machine will be much...
  5. CraneInnovation

    IR / Skyjack 843D Max Fork Width??

    Hello! I'm trying to find information on the maximum fork width for an IR / Skyjack 843D. I'm not looking for the width of the fork its self, but the out-to-out distance of the forks at their farthest setting on the frame. Its hard to find detailed specifications on these forklifts...
  6. CraneInnovation

    General Engine Overhaul Questions

    Hello all, I just removed the carrier cab on my Gradall to help speed up the rebuild process (cab metal work and complete control system rebuild). I noticed that this completely opened up the engine bay. I know engines are typically fairly accessible on big trucks, but the one on my Gradall...
  7. CraneInnovation

    Why Was My Gradall Built Crooked?

    As many of you know, I have a full thread on this project down in the Shop Talk forum, but I sometimes have questions that I'd like to directly ask you all in the Excavator section. This one is a doozy. Background: My G3WD has always leaned to the driver's side. I assumed this was due to...
  8. CraneInnovation

    Need Help With 1987 Volvo N12 Schematic and Starter

    Hello all, We have recently began working on an '87 Volvo N12 that has been sitting for ~8 years. The primary issues are electrical. We solved a major ground problem and have verified that the 24V switch is working, but the truck will not even try to start. The starting relay under the...
  9. CraneInnovation

    Sandblasting Advice Needed

    With the weather warming up, I'm looking to embark on a full repaint of my Gradall. For surface prep, I'd like to sandblast instead of sand. Problem is, I don't have any experience with gearing up for this. What would you recommend for a unit? I'm looking at a typical 50/100lb rolling unit...
  10. CraneInnovation

    Did I Screw UP???

    In the process of rebuilding my Gradall, I've been trying to pinpoint the sources of some leaks by trying to remove some BAD grease build up on hoses and housings. I've tried a few different products (brake clean, acetone on rags, etc) and had very minimal success. This stuff is awful...
  11. CraneInnovation

    Polishing Frosted Safety Glass

    Hey guys, Is it possible to restore badly frosted safety glass? One of the windows on my Gradall is essentially opaque from weathering. A replacement for this particular piece is fairly expensive. Does polishing/buffing work on safety glass, or do I really need a new window...
  12. CraneInnovation

    First Time With a Backhoe....It grew on me!

    Over Thanksgiving weekend I went down to my grandfather's in NJ to fix a sinkhole in his driveway. It was one of those 1" holes in the pavement that disappeared into pure darkness. He had a drainage line in that spot, and we anticipated a replacement. I was going to rent a mini excavator due...
  13. CraneInnovation

    Changing fuel filters

    I am looking for tips on changing fuel filters in a Cummins 6BT5.9 on a Gradall with primary and secondary filters. I am new to diesel engines but I know prime is absolutely essential (why not in automotive fuel systems?). I've done some reading and there seems to be disagreement on...
  14. CraneInnovation

    Any advice for valve rebuilds?

    Got the first valve assembly out on the Gradall, picking up a rebuild kit this week. Any tips or advice on rebuilding valves? From the service manual it looks fairly straightforward...but those are the famous first words. Thanks! EDIT: I apologize for the hand of the un-dead in the top of...
  15. CraneInnovation

    Hill Climbing Question

    Hey guys, I'm wondering if you could answer a question my friend and I have about hill climbing with an excavator. Neither of us are professional operators, but we can handle a hoe pretty well for novices. When climbing a hill, it seems like the convention we've heard from most operators is...
  16. CraneInnovation

    Trojan 1700 lifting capacity

    Hey guys, A guy I work with has a Trojan 1700 at his truck shop and we'd like to use it to take the boom off a small Gradall. Anyone know where I can find lifting capacities for this machine? I have been trying Google to no avail. We are fairly sure it can handle it, but we want to...
  17. CraneInnovation

    Gradall G3WD Bizarre Hydraulics Modifications

    I have been working on rebuilding a 1988 Gradall G3WD and have made a few puzzling discoveries on the hydraulics system. I have a thread going in the Shop Talk forum about the rebuilding project: https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?38100-The-Great-Gradall-Project ..but I...
  18. CraneInnovation

    Hydraulic System Drain With No Pump

    Hey guys, As some may know, I'm digging into an old Gradall G3WD. Have a hydro system draining question. How do you do drain a hydraulic system if the pump is inoperable? I need to service the pump PTO as well as reseal all cylinders. Is a full drain required, or should I just drain...
  19. CraneInnovation

    The Great Gradall Project

    Well, I bought that Gradall and figured I would start a thread with pictures of my restoration attempts. As I've said before, heavy equipment maintenance is new to me, so know-it-all comments are actually appreciated. Funny story. I live 45 minutes from where the machine will be stored...
  20. CraneInnovation

    Newbie Service Questions

    Hello all, This is my first time posting in the shop forum, although I have learned an awful lot from you guys already. I am a new owner of an old Gradall (1990 G3WD) and it is my first piece of heavy equipment. I've been reading like crazy trying to plan my maintenance and overhaul plan...
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