redneckrigger

That's a great idea! Thanks! But the way I am making my boom, just like the prototype with the extension cylinders, the rods can only extend so far, just like the original. The extension cylinder for the first section mounts inside the main boom beneath the first section. The two cylinders for the second and third sections mount inside the second and third section, exactly like the real deal. So when the boom is extended, it won't be able to come apart. It will be all painted and then assembled, and will work just like the real deal. Nice looking build you got there!

Got the last two sections of boom made up as well as all three extension cylinders. This is going to be a four section power extended boom. Some of these cranes had manually extended booms that were pinned in place, but this one will be the optional all power boom. I am considering making the jib for it as well. The boom will extend to a scale length of 60 feet and the optional swinging jib will be 12 feet. The operators and parts manuals for this crane are priceless!

I am not sure if it will be done by then, but I'm sure going to try! Haven't been to that show yet as it is smack dab in the middle of deer season, but this year I'm not taking a trip to the midwest to hunt, so maybe???!!!

Installed the boom lift cylinder. Works well!

Made up the main boom lift cylinder today. I make my cylinders by using several different sizes of tube that telescope together along with an aluminum tube for the piston rod. I take the outer tube, make a shallow sleeve as the rod end cap, make a base end cap from several shallow slices of tube and rod slid into each other. The rod has a piston glued on its end and is slid into the body tube before gluing the base in. Then I slid two larger tubes over the whole thing to make the main cylinder body larger. This works pretty well and works for multiple stage telescoping cylinders as well.

Last minute mockup before hitting the hay.

That is from Jamie. Very nice too! Got the boom base roughed in tonite. Time for the sack now! I do too many one step forward and three back exercises if I work too late!

Realized I made the extension boom too big...... it is supposed to be shallower to allow room for the extension cylinder which mounts beneath it. So, cut it down to fit. That's what I get when I build after midnight trying to find time to build. Tried something new to cut long straight pieces of styrene......a paper guillotine. Works great. This is a light duty one that I figured I'd try but will definitely be getting a heavier duty one. Got the hydraulic pump mounted on the front of the engine too. Also put together some proper wheels for it.

Now have to do the boom pivot base, counterweight, manuallly extended boom sections, and outriggers. Then the much more fun part begins, all of the little bits that give it life!

Got the Detroit 4-71 engine from Moluminum put together with the torque converter and transfer case. Made up the main boom section along with the first hydraulically extended boom One piece at a time! Only glued my fingers together about ten times. Not too bad!

They are from the Ertl John Deere 310 backhoe Thanks.....getting there!

Got a couple of hours today to cut some styrene....................made the front and rear outrigger structures, did some body work on the turntable, got the left side tank/toolbox made and installed, and made the front and rear axle mounts. The rear is a rubber block type, while the front is a solid mount. Attached the two drive axles, and did a quick mock-up with the tires and wheels as shown. Still have to make drive hubs for the wheels, but it is starting to get "the look". I will be attacking the boom assembly next, and then all of the hydraulic cylinders for the boom, steering and outriggers. Thanks for stopping by!

Very nicely done!

Looking great!!!

Wonderful work!