I'd kill for an Autocrane right now....

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

Just figured I'd share my pain. I have to get those two secondary lift cylinders out, and apparently I'm a big baby today lol so maybe give me some suggestions? I can't use another truck, this is the only one here

And for fun, any suggestions on mounting a vise? I don't have a hitch so can't go that route

 

[#1SomeGuy]

LoL add a hitch

 

[Rusty32]

Use the stick end of the bucket lift in the background

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

Use the stick end of the bucket lift in the background

Very nicely, the customer won't allow me to operate their equipment..... I hope they know they are getting overtime for this **** haha

 

[mech-tech]

When I have that style of clark to work on, I raise the mast all the way and try my best to work the cylinders out the bottom, and yes they are heavy! As for the vise, I had the same issue. My boss man gave me a cheap hitch reciever to mount under the bumper, and we welded a simple square tube frame for the vice to be mounted on so I could slide the base of it into the hitch. Not the most steady but better than nothing.

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

When I have that style of clark to work on, I raise the mast all the way and try my best to work the cylinders out the bottom, and yes they are heavy! As for the vise, I had the same issue. My boss man gave me a cheap hitch reciever to mount under the bumper, and we welded a simple square tube frame for the vice to be mounted on so I could slide the base of it into the hitch. Not the most steady but better than nothing.

Most customers don't like mast's fully extended and chained, idk why. I just manned up, and fished it all the way out the top, while standing on the dash.... It sucked.

You ever had problems with the gland nuts being seized on this style? I literally had to make the tube glow then give it all I had with a 24 inch pipe wrench. Seriously was a **** day today lol.

 

[Heath568]

I feel for you man. My father was a forklift tech for Caterpillar for over 30 years. Sometimes you adapt to the situation. I was always amazed at the conditions he worked in sometimes.
Forklifts get completely beat on and then parked and forgotten. The things you must find are similar to his stories I bet.

He also worked out of a van for over 20 of those years. I wish I had some pics of his setup.

Keep it up man... Cool to see the story

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

I feel for you man. My father was a forklift tech for Caterpillar for over 30 years. Sometimes you adapt to the situation. I was always amazed at the conditions he worked in sometimes.
Forklifts get completely beat on and then parked and forgotten. The things you must find are similar to his stories I bet.

He also worked out of a van for over 20 of those years. I wish I had some pics of his setup.

Keep it up man... Cool to see the story

I have crazy respect for all the "old timers" out there that have done fork lift work. My coworkers amaze me with their skills am knowledge. No lie I've seen a horn fixed with nothing more than a BC Powder.... I'm still working to figure that one out lol.

To me this is very similar to heavy equipment work. The truck is usually left where ever it died, be it in the middle of a warehouse, outside in the pouring rain, or in the back of an abandoned building with no electricty(personal experience), you just have to roll with it. I still am just getting my feet wet, I've only been with this company 14 months, but I can say for sure this is the job for me!

I just need to get more creative o suppose, I'll probably strip my van out soon and try to start from scratch and make it more "workable"

 

[mech-tech]

As for the gland nuts, a big vice + big brass punch + big sledge hammer. Thats how I do it. Must have been fun taking them out by hand!

 

[rslaback]

For a jack I would make a post attached to a flat plate. Put the plate on the ground and drive your van back so that tire sits on the plate. Then mount the vise to the post.

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

For a jack I would make a post attached to a flat plate. Put the plate on the ground and drive your van back so that tire sits on the plate. Then mount the vise to the post.

I seriously think that could be pure genius! Thankfully my van weighs 8200lbs, so that should be enough hahaha

 

[ClrkLndeKmt'su]

As for the gland nuts, a big vice + big brass punch + big sledge hammer. Thats how I do it. Must have been fun taking them out by hand!

It was pretty rough, I won't lie. I'm not a very big guy, 5 11 and 210, so it was a struggle.

I have luck with your way on certain cylinders. Have you ever done a linde cylinder with a completely smooth nut?

 

[turbodave]

Regarding the vise mount, we pulled one similar to this from my father in law's van. http://www.americanvan.com/slide-out-vise-mount-2.html. I've been tripping over it for too long, if it's something you think would work for you let me know and I'll make you a good deal on it.