Prentice Heel Boom Log Loader

[muleskinner]

I am Bill Bitners father who built the Self Loader unit which he intern built the International Self Loader around. He insisted I get my models up on the net so here goes. The pictures may be a little dark but that can be blamed on the fact that I am just learning my new digital camera.

The topic of this posting is a Prentice Heel Boom Log Loader which was built off a prototype that belongs to a logging company not to far, from where I currently live. Except for the undercarriage, which is off the International ERTL 5000 Dump Truck, the deck and loader are intirely scratched built from Evergreen Plastic in 1/25th scale. It is not completed as of yet and has a few minor details which need to be added.

The operators cabin is made to tilt forward to lower the highth of the vehicle when being transported by Lowboy, or for maintenance. It is completely plumbed underneath with hydraulic lines to the boom and the electro lines to the grapples. The boom will raise and extend forward and the live heel and grapples also work on the model. The whole unit will rotate on it's platform 360 degrees. The lettering was hand cut and added to the back of the unit, from plastic. There is a deck boom stabilizer on the front middle of the deck to rest the boom when in Lowboy transport and the hood to the engine compartment opens with help of a set of plastic roll hinges whichI made for it. There is a heel rest added to to front of the vehicle which is actually owner added to the proto unit to rest the heel and grapple unit in for moving the unit from one landing to the next, on site.

Other details to be added to this model are the Hydraulic and fuel tanks underneath the carrier deck. Opening door and operator window on the cab. Outside illuminating lights to the front and rear. The interior of the Operators cabin has to also be added as they were using the unit when I took the pics and couldn't get into the protos cabin.

Overall it has a lot of hours involved in it and as you can see is very close to completion enough to give you an idea of the size of the proto type unit.

Edited May 27, 2010 by muleskinner

[falcongeorge]

KILLER stuff. Love it. I am in the NW myself, have seen these.

[Tony Bryan]

When i first saw the self loader, I was very impressed with the detail, now that I have seen more of your work I am even more impressed,

I just am so impressed that you add every detail, and not just some of it, thanks for joining and sharing your models, look forward to seeing many more

[studioman3]

William, very sweet! Thanks for sharing

Tim

[Jim B]

Definately a work of art. Very impressive. I think I remember those things from when I lived in Louisiana.

[mackinac359]

Nice scratchbuilding.

Tim

[Brizio]

Great Work!!!

Welcome on this forum! I hope to see you and your build around here!

[Guest snapper]

Yes, I remember the loader too. Your detail and construction here is exceptional. I'm very intrigued by these construction, logger, etc. builds and with the creativity that goes in to building these from scratch. I wish there were more kits around this theme, but you have shown that it can be done anyways. Thanks for posting these out, and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[Pete1980]

I hope you do more cause you got an eye for detail.I saw one of these when I was still in WVa.

[Old Albion]

William,

This is superb! Bill was right to get you to put some pictures up for us to see. Magnificant!!

Dave

[Paul B]

Very, very nice William. Looking forward to seeing more logging equipment.

[rronning84]

I love it. I wish I was that talented. Let me know if you want to build one to sell.