crane truck?

[The Modeling Hermit]

I remember a truck that ran around my hometown in Iowa that was a standard conventional daycab truck, but mounted on the rear was a large crane, but this one had a rotating box type cab with a motor of some sort contained within it. The boom was a narrowing series of triangles. I was a teenager when I saw it, so this memory is from many years ago, and I'm not sure that I'm describing it well. I've never seen one since either. Does anybody have any idea what this was called or have any pictures of such a rig? I'd like to build a model of it.

[Casey]

Similar to this?

[highway]

If it is similar to the truck Casey posted, that is a Gradall (pronounced Grade all) excavator, and they are common even today, specifically in highway maintenance departments.

[The Modeling Hermit]

Casey, that's very close. What I remember would be much older as I think it was even old when I saw it. The big difference that I remember is that the control cabin, or whatever it was called, was more of a box and covered the engine area as well. Where tht crane "tower" is solid except the round holes, the one I remember was an open series of triangles. Thanks for sharing that picture. It will help me to get a start.

[Old Albion]

Douglas,

The description you give makes a lot of sence to me. We used to have a lot of crane trucks like that here in Britain, still do in fact. I did a search on Hank's truck pictures and found these photo's:

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/mark_simiele02.htm

Have a good look through hopefully there will be something there of use.

[The Modeling Hermit]

Dave you got it. I missed those when I was looking, because every time I go to Hank's site, I forget what I'm looking for, and spend hours just looking at all the cool truck pictures. That old Mack L crane is "spot on" to what I'm remembering. There are several other pictures on that page that will also be helpful. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your help.

Edited February 22, 2013 by Kodiak Island Modeler

[Ben]

Lionel made a really nice P&H crane like your describing. It was offered preassembled and as a kit. It's 1/48 scale but really detailed and makes a really nice model! http://www.tandem-associates.com/lionel/lionel_trains_6828_flat_car.htm