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Post by Beerwiser on Aug 27, 2020 14:01:20 GMT -6
Not sure if anyone here has any experience with bucket trucks. I don't besides watching guys use them. Anyhow, it is mounted on a 90 f350(351). It has the capability of starting and stopping the truck via boom controls providing the key is in the on position. I have the start working, but I am at a loss on how to shut the truck off. The main control cable got torn out because the limit switch failed and someone turned the turret around too many times. I did notice a condenser hooked up to the trucks coil that doesn't look factory. I know nothing about fords either other than I don't like them. Anyone know where to start on killing a ford?
I also would like to know what is involved in pulling the telescopic boom apart. I want to replace the control cable and turn the nylon wear pads. Also looking for a 12 conductor 12-16awg cable.
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Post by kevlar on Aug 27, 2020 15:26:09 GMT -6
Anyone know where to start on killing a ford? . Well, you just can’t kill a Ford. |
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Post by Beerwiser on Aug 27, 2020 15:41:03 GMT -6
If I had the ambition to switch the lift to a chev or dodge I would show you how to kill a ford lol. FWIW I have the wifes dead ford edge that needs a 350 dollar alternator. Had to go get her at 2 in morning with a chevy.
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Post by Albertabuck on Aug 27, 2020 16:48:13 GMT -6
The condenser on the coil is most likely for radio interference reduction.
I would guess the truck will have a relay wired into the ignition circuits, how exactly they did it, I have no idea. You should be able to get some information on that unit either online or from someone like Altec or such. There are also arborist forums where the tree guys all talk about their rigs, got some info on mine off of some of those.
I have an old AGT unit, Reachall 5030 on a 79 GMC 6000, was about as simple of one as I could find, two section folding boom, nothing fancy. Am in the process of changing multiple things about it, main one being instead of having the auxiliary motor to power the pump, installing a pump on the engine of the truck, one less thing to go haywire when I am thirty feet in the air...kind of how I look at this remote start stop thing you have, I'd be just leaving the dam thing run, but thats me. I guess to sum up what changes I am doing to mine is all based on the KISS principle. Not like we need to have them inspected nor are we using them daily for hours on end, well perhaps some are, I sure aint lol.
I haven't started on it yet, but am going to replace the bucket with a platform, will make accessing things like grainery roofs and more so much easier. Instead of climbing out, will have a gate that opens so you can easily go from one to the other.
I don't even get in the thing with having a harness on and having that tied off to the boom. I suggest anyone using one do the same. Read about some the wrecks those arborists have had, ouch, its a long ways to the ground...
What does yours have for emergency lowering? Thats something else I am tweaking on mine as it had none. Bad enough if someone else is around but to have something go for hell by yourself is what I worry about .
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Post by Beerwiser on Aug 27, 2020 17:37:22 GMT -6
As always thanks Ab. The kill part was more for shits and giggles, but the start is handyif the truck stalls. It is a ford after all. I have no problem with leaving it run for the amount it will get used as I am a full supporter of the KISS principle. Right now hydraulics are belt driven off where ac should be. Backup hydraulics are something I am looking into plumbing in. Because as it sits if hydraulic pressure is lost you are stuck up there even with someone on the ground manually moving the solenoids. I like your idea on a cage, it would be much handier of the farm over a bucket. And with the harness, completely agree. A good friend is a retired arborist. I have heard stories.
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Post by Albertabuck on Aug 27, 2020 18:50:42 GMT -6
That old unit I have actually has two sets of spool valves to control it one set above the base on the side of the turret, the other at the end of boom, so while no electrical, lots of hoses. Also has hydraulic leveling of the bucket by an automatic level sensing valve...which I don't trust and were known for giving grief. That change is going to be worked into the platform and will for the most part will simply swing free using gravity to level itself, while having a handbrake exactly like what man basket for a picker has, but I wan't to incorporate some kind of mechanical means to tilt the platform manually beyond level. Thinking of something like a 90* worm drive gearbox hand powered, that uses roller chain to corordinate the whole platform to the brake assembly. Easier to think it than to explain it lol, but I imagine you get the idea. One of the ideas of having the platform able to level itself by gravity is for in an emergency situation. As for back up hydraulics, I want to plumb in supply lines that can be connected to a tractor if the truck system fails. Would need shut off valves between the reservoir and pump, so one on each line. Least that way easy to feed in an alternative source. Also thought be handy that way one could hook up an electric power pack as well if one wanted to do lots of work and keep things quiet, say like doing roofing or rafters, but then I tend to over plan things lol, I'd rather have lots of options, rather than paint myself into a corner with only a few! As for emergency lowering a failed self contained system, depends on what kind of pilot valves are installed in your boom cylinders, but if possible, only a small hand pump is needed and when hooked to the right port of the valve assembly if even possible on some cylinders, it only takes a low amount of pressure to open the holding valve, then you can activate the boom valve and things will lower by gravity. But this is all dependent on how your cylinders are set up. The holding or pilot valves are located on the cylinders themselves where the system lines attach. Also, on Ebay and such places, many of the manuals for these rigs get listed under Aerial lift or Aerial device...some folks get really technical lol but you should be able to get one for yours. Some searching online should come up with who sold those units, Altec is one of the biggest dealers of bucket lifts in Canada, but the closest for us is Calgary. Who knows maybe they carry parts and such for them, check their site. www.altec.com/locations/calgary-al-service-center/ |
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Post by Albertabuck on Aug 27, 2020 19:05:58 GMT -6
Knew I had a pic of the old AGT beast somewhere, GMC truck with a Chev grille and logos all over it, thats not my handy work lol Still has the yellow paint under the brown, guess they had a whole wack of those Reachall units, was talking to an older guy who knew about them in Edmonton and he knew right away it was former AGT and the yellow confirmed it. And for those that don't know, thats Alberta Government Telephones, the predecessor of todays Telus...back when we actually had good service too  |
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Post by Beerwiser on Aug 27, 2020 20:22:48 GMT -6
I know you are a bit north of me, but I hope that is not a current pic lol. I have not looked closely at the pilot valves yet as they are hard to see the way the rams located. My idea was to T a self contained 12v power pack right into the supply and return lines on the existing valve body with a solenoid valve to switch between truck hydraulics and aux hydraulics. Simplest method in my mind without looking closely at what the factory has. Nice thing, if it works is I have everything. I have to plan this for working alone since that is what I end up doing. On the plus side if I am stuck 25' in the air my yelling will carry further. Now with the AGT, my old backhoe was an ex unit. Still has the zenith number/sticker for call before you dig. I know waht that means.... Got to get a picture of that.
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Post by Albertabuck on Aug 27, 2020 22:01:47 GMT -6
Lol, yea the pic from couple winters ago
Yes you are right, a 12 volt pump set up would work good too, kind of had forgot about that idea earlier. I've looked at a lot of different ones online and such, and have seen everything from hand pumps like for a portapower to simply open the valves to those 12 volt ones being used to power the whole system.
I always tend to worry too much about things, always trying to avoid any potential issues before they become a problem, like one friend said to me, hell it only goes up about 30 feet? Tie a dam rope to it and climb down if you have a problem...yep, easier said than done, I got the thing because me and ladders and height don't agree so good, has gotten substantially worse the older I get, even that lift makes me nervous but I have been working on conquering that, but to bail over the side and down a rope...I honesty don't know if I could make myself do that lol
How high that one of yours go?
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Post by Beerwiser on Aug 28, 2020 12:17:28 GMT -6
Do you have stabilizers on that one buck? I don't have on mine and I wish it did. Bit wiggly up there. The lift says 24' but with the truck and mount I am guessing 30' off the dirt. First thing I did was swing it 90 degrees to the truck and extend it as far from the truck as possible on 3' off the ground and bounce up and down to see what the truck would do.
I don't know what it is about getting older, courage seems to fade or self preservation is higher. Used to race down a triple derrick, looser bought beer after. Won't be doing that now. Grain bins and ladders are not the same as 20 years ago. Fine if they are bolted to the bin, wobbling extension ladders on the other hand. You know what I mean.
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Post by Albertabuck on Aug 28, 2020 18:58:05 GMT -6
No stabilizers...yet lol. In my reading and learning about these things, appears that legs aren't actually required legally until you get to about 40 feet reach or thereabouts. But I agree with you, and especially given how more often than not on a farm those untits would be seeing use on less then level ground or hard surfaces like pavement as they were originally designed for. Mine has a sort of torsion bar set up on the back axle, kind of shaped like a rockshaft on a cultivator, bearings are on the frame rails about three feet behind the axle, and the extensions mount to the bottom of axle at the ubolts. Not sure if thats a Reachall thing or others used them too. Many smaller ones also can be set up with stoppers that engage between the frame and axle like overloads and prevent the sway. But there is nothing as good as some feet IMO. I'm just gonna do mine up sort of simple, given I have that flat deck, was going to put the base across the bed right behind the tool boxes, use some square tubing and reinforce the outer ends, then just have telescopic arms that manually slide in and out and a leg with cylinder in each one. Will put me just over 8' 6" but not concerned, I do have plates and insurance on it but chances of some catching that in the little bit I drive that thing are slim to none. To justify keeping it legal to drive I can put my 1200 gallon tank on the deck under the boom and then use it to haul water for spraying from a county tank loading site a few miles away. Not that I don't have water, but that water is fast and has no silt or fine sand that plugs up the screens like mine does when I pump the one high producing well hard. You never see it in the water troughs, but you sure find it in all the sprayer screens lol.
I think with me as I get older, I seem to be losing my nerve, not so cocky and I don't have the strength and maneuverability like I used, too stiff and slow. Perfect example is transitioning from the ladder to bin roof, can not do it from a bolted to bin ladder period anymore. And even with my good extension ladder tied to the bin as I always do, because of the limited mobility and ability to bend my knees lots ect, its like I lose my confidence or nerve, probably both, then I get worried and thats no good, time to just climb down. I have people I can call who will run up a ladder onto a bin or pole lickity split no prob for me, but I hate asking, guess I'm too independent. And the way things are going with the new laws, not sure I want to put my 7 mill in liability insurance to the test. I need to get caught up so I can get things fixed on that bucket lift, got some remote bin openers that need some attention never mind a few light bulbs need changing too, as well would like to extend a couple power runs. I have one of them telescopic bulb changers but I find I got to get within ten feet to make it work proper anyway, might as well go all the way lol.
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