Something just clicked…..

[Strouty]

Drives and RM, I ended up helping my brother stacks few cords of wood today. He is going to probably come with me when I pick up all the materials, so I will be getting him more than a steak dinner for sure.

As for my schedule, I had an email that my supplier could not get all the materials I needed and there would be a delay, so I called the customer and they are fine with the delay. Problem averted and my schedule has opened itself up a bit. Since I am alone most of the time and help is hard to come by, I am going to only schedule one thing at a time (as far as jobs). This week I have some tower work that needs to be done and I have that scheduled for Tuesday, looks like I even have enough people to actually do the work! After that job is completed I will concentrate on the next one, it is actually the last one of the year and I would like to get it completed before Christmas. I need to be realistic about what I can and can't do and Drives hit the nail on the head, I can't burn myself out, because then there is no one to do the work.

North Run, the winches are Braden and DP (never heard of them), both are planetary and the Braden is "man rated" so it can be used to hoist personnel up a tower. Overall the unit looks like it is in great shape, I think if it had been covered the unit would look nicer, but they would have ended up with mice in the engine area and as far as I can tell, there are no signs of the little buggers anywhere. The unit was built in 1995 and delivered in 1996, so it is 20 years old, but has had barely any use on it, I am sure there will be a few little things I need to do, but I imagine it will be in running condition soon. I have my resident winch expert on call, he wants to get it going ASAP but it is not top priority for me. Thanks for the suggestion of the import lights, now that I have some breathing room I may take a peak on eBay as well. Who knows what they offer and I could use several of them between the excavator and the work truck.

 

[Strouty]

Now as for the work truck "Bev", the plan was to remove the box and make a flat bed fifth wheel hauler out of it. My Brother wants me to just put the hitch on the back and leave it as is. The hitch would end up being on the rear bumper and I know that it is not an issue as far as weight is concerned, but it will look goofy as hell. I was wondering what you guys think. It would be quicker to do that, but a couple of reasons that I wanted to remove the box were:

Visibility

Larger flat bed

I can add a larger fuel tank

Box will be reused as a job site box so it is not wasted

 

[nine4gmc]

eh, I say leave it and put the hitch on back. You already built it the way you want it and it works for you. Visibility could be improved with towing mirrors. Larger flat bed could be put on another vehicle or just utilize the trailer hitch to tow a flat bed trailer. Larger fuel tank is not necessarily necessary, it's 2015 and there are gas stations literally on every corner. The cab box is probably not as secure as a real job site box(that you have many, many extras of already) so leaving it on a job would be risky. That brings us back to the trailer, put a job site box or two on a flat bed trailer and be done, remove them when not needed.

JMO

 

[Strouty]

Nines, you and my Brother are on the same page, the visibility issue is when you are making a turn at a Y in the road, I have to be completely perpendicular to the road to see, otherwise it is totally blind. Sometimes this is no big deal because the road will allow it, but other times I can't make it work and then have to start pulling out into the road blind as a bat until I can see things in my front convex mirrors. This is why I like extended cab and crew cab trucks, you can clearly see down the road under almost all circumstances. Fuel tank reasoning is for longer travel distances, with this truck being air ride and air seat it is very comfortable and I can drive for hours on end, the tank I have now is small and only has about 350 mile range, I would prefer 1000 or more. As for the rear box, it is nice, but the inside is not 8' in either direction, so if I need lumber it has to get jammed in at a funny angle, then you need to make sure it does not get loose and jam the roll up door. The flat deck is not flat ( I can fix that) but it is essentially 5' long and about 7' wide, very awkward for almost everything. I would also like to get the weight down, if I keep the truck and the trailer combined loaded weight under 26K I can run regular plates, if over that, I have to run apportioned plates and it is a royal PITA to register and keep track of all the miles driven in each state, also very expensive. If I was trucking for a living it would be different, but I do not run outside of New England very often.

Basically if I am doing tower jobs, it works OK, but for 90% of the stuff I want to do it is always a PITA to load things. This being said, I may mount the hitch on the very back as a trial and see if I like it. I would prefer the hitch be 6" in front of the rear axle, but it would make the trailer hit the back box. As for the security aspect, the truck gets left in places all the time and I think the doors are fairly secure, the lock could be cut, but if they are bringing tools to break in, they are going to get in regardless.

I am still undecided so I may bring up the topic again, who am I kidding, I am sure I will be discussing it again.

The flat bed is the most versatile truck out there, that is the major reason I want to do this.

 

[Strouty]

I spent a couple hours running new wires to the starter on the Ford snow plow, still no go. I started looking at the grounds and when I pulled on the large one that went to the engine, is pulled right off. Spent more time replacing all the wires (in the dark), got it started and the alternator seized up and blew the belt apart. Luckily the alternator was bad and I new it, otherwise I might have flipped my lid. I drove the truck around to the front of the shop so I can try and get the alternator out tonight, a new one should get the truck operational. I could sure use it around the yard to move material and stock, but really I just want it ready for when it inevitably snows.

At this point it needs a battery, alternator, oil change, air up at least one tire, and I still need to replace the 4x4 shifter. The dump body needs a new positive cable, it was routed next to the exhaust and melted so it was also shorting out. Also have to replace a really expensive fuel tank skid plate/mounting bracket. Then I can work on the other things like the grill, front bumper, cleaning the cab, welding some holes in the plow and back body. Once I get this stuff done, I am going to put it up for sale and buy a truck from the south, one with no rust.

 

[Thumper68]

I spent a couple hours running new wires to the starter on the Ford snow plow, still no go. I started looking at the grounds and when I pulled on the large one that went to the engine, is pulled right off. Spent more time replacing all the wires (in the dark), got it started and the alternator seized up and blew the belt apart. Luckily the alternator was bad and I new it, otherwise I might have flipped my lid. I drove the truck around to the front of the shop so I can try and get the alternator out tonight, a new one should get the truck operational. I could sure use it around the yard to move material and stock, but really I just want it ready for when it inevitably snows.

At this point it needs a battery, alternator, oil change, air up at least one tire, and I still need to replace the 4x4 shifter. The dump body needs a new positive cable, it was routed next to the exhaust and melted so it was also shorting out. Also have to replace a really expensive fuel tank skid plate/mounting bracket. Then I can work on the other things like the grill, front bumper, cleaning the cab, welding some holes in the plow and back body. Once I get this stuff done, I am going to put it up for sale and buy a truck from the south, one with no rust.

That's what my buddy did, don't do it, his rusted out in just a few years, no under body protection.

BTW You **** on the winch/gin pole/ materials score WTG..

Just keep plugging away things will get done and the list never shrinks....

 

[Strouty]

Thanks for the kudos.

You may laugh or think I am crazy, but the plan is to take the southern truck apart and get the frame galvanized, then undercoat the **** out if it and put it back together. My Dad did this with an F350, of course he started with a rusty one so it made it more difficult. I figure a southern truck I will essentially be able to unbolt everything without any major destruction. I actually think I may be able to sell trucks like this at a premium in rusty areas.

 

[Strouty]

This is why I hate simple projects. The F350 alternator is not going to come off. It looks like the only way to get it out will be to remove the entire bracket and I think that means the msg pump has to come off too. I can all ready see this being an all day project and that is if I don't brake anything. I would love to be able to heat things up, but there are so many wires and parts in the way. No way I can plow all winter with no alternator, but I am not looking forward to this at all. Especially on a truck that I don't want to keep.

 

[nine4gmc]

Check YouTube for options, sometimes they have easy ways out.
I did that for the head gasket job on the daughters car and took the easy route. Of course it was not easy and ended up having to change the timing set anyway but I only wasted about 30 minutes trying the easy way and had it worked, it would have saved a couple hours.


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[Strouty]

I have not found much yet, when I search it comes up with lots of fancy 460 engines, mine is just a run of the mill one. Looks like the bracket is used on lots of applications, but apparently Ford does not offer them anymore. I may put a pipe wrench on the alternator pulley and see if I can free it up. It was intermittent last year and would squeal, so I thought it was a bearing going. I do not want to spend this much time on the truck, frankly I would rather buy another truck. Maybe I could put a plow on the skid winch?

 

[Wanna Ride]

This is clearly one of my favorite threads. Feels like watching a nightly mini-series. Love it.

 

[Strouty]

This week on Something Just Clicked Strouty changes his schedule again and then he randomly buys more stuff to add to his collection, what will happen on Tuesday when he does the tower job, stay tuned to find out.

I think a soap opera would better describe it, I even have commercial brakes with all the totally random stuff I do in the middle.

 

[nine4gmc]

Now I'll be on the edge of my seat until the tues broadcasting...


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[Strouty]

We don't do live, so you may have to wait for Wednesday's show.

 

[Strouty]

I can all ready tell this is going to be an interesting week. Nothing has gone right today and it looks like things are shaping up to get worse. Once again, timelines are not being kind to me.

I took the plow off the F350 so I can bring it inside tonight, maybe I can get the alternator removed, hopefully without destroying the mounting bracket.

I am working on getting some parts together for tomorrow, but I am having bad luck finding some stuff, now I have to buy more hardware. Hopefully there won't be any more surprises tomorrow. Nothing like a big surprise at 400 feet.

 

[mdbeck1]

I have not found much yet, when I search it comes up with lots of fancy 460 engines, mine is just a run of the mill one. Looks like the bracket is used on lots of applications, but apparently Ford does not offer them anymore. I may put a pipe wrench on the alternator pulley and see if I can free it up. It was intermittent last year and would squeal, so I thought it was a bearing going. I do not want to spend this much time on the truck, frankly I would rather buy another truck. Maybe I could put a plow on the skid winch?

It sounds like you are getting into a time crunch. There comes a time when a fella just has to agree to PAY someone else to get the job done. This MAY be one of those times.

 

[Strouty]

I am in complete agreement, except until I get paid for my last job I am hosed financially. Especially after my latest purchases. Today I could have spent hours cutting threaded rod and building adapters for the job tomorrow, instead I found a supplier for a special part and bought enough to do the job. There is still some assembly but nothing like what it would have been.

Now the electrician is supposed to show up to install my 100 amp rv panel as well as my Dad is coming by and then the snap on guy. Tonight I will be assembling the parts for tomorrow.

I also just found out I am needed on a job Thursday and Friday, there goes the rest of the week.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Ok, I will agree on the soap opra. But no cliff or tower hangers please

 

[simpler=better]

Thanks for the kudos.

You may laugh or think I am crazy, but the plan is to take the southern truck apart and get the frame galvanized, then undercoat the **** out if it and put it back together. My Dad did this with an F350, of course he started with a rusty one so it made it more difficult. I figure a southern truck I will essentially be able to unbolt everything without any major destruction. I actually think I may be able to sell trucks like this at a premium in rusty areas.

I grew up near Canada. I feel your pain.

My '98 Ranger (bought in Maryland) just has surface rust. Factory brake lines. No sticking fasteners. It's a dream!!

 

[Strouty]

One more thing off the to do list, it was only important to me because it was one of the first things I hired out in a while. Of course I hired it out months ago and it is just getting done. The 100 AMP RV panel has been installed and tested, now I have a place to plug in outside, no more cords through the door, under the door, or through a hole in the wall for me.

Also working on getting all the hardware together for tomorrow, pretty much a jumbled mess, but I can see that I have the right hardware and enough of it to get the job done. I will post a few pics of the mess, but it is all ready dark outside so you will have to take my word on the RV panel.

 

[nine4gmc]

Great Stro Bro, now on to the next one!

 

[Wanna Ride]

This week on Something Just Clicked Strouty changes his schedule again and then he randomly buys more stuff to add to his collection, what will happen on Tuesday when he does the tower job, stay tuned to find out.

I think a soap opera would better describe it, I even have commercial brakes with all the totally random stuff I do in the middle.

Love it! You on Netflix?

 

[Strouty]

According to Thumper I should start a youtube channel. Maybe I could call it the OCD adventures of a would be hoarder. I got some more good news, the two towers that I was supposed to get to next may now get delayed until spring. Still need some discussion on it with the customer, but I think that may be the best for everyone. Then I can concentrate on the smaller projects I have going on as well as getting the yard cleaned up at the shop. I would love to have it all leveled and organized before the snow flies.

Today I also stopped in to a local fencing company, I have been driving by there and noticing an older forklift that is tucked away under the overhang of their building. I finally asked about it and the owner offered it to me for $1500 so now I may buy that as well. The great news is that it is a 7000 pound capacity so it will move things like the skid winch and the monster drill press should I ever decide to sell it. I am not sure that I can pass up a deal like that, it has pneumatic tires, the best style for my gravel yard, so it should do fairly well, the sand and loose stuff would be an issue, but I figure if I get it all cleaned up I could probably flip it in the spring and find a larger one. When I was looking the going price was more like $4000 so I think I can make some money if it turns out to not be what I need.

 

[macgyver37]

I work by myself and the best thing I ever did was buy my forklift. I was actually smart and got it before alot of my machines when I started my business. Unless that lift is a big pile of junk it is well worth that price.

 

[Wanna Ride]

I finally asked about it and the owner offered it to me for $1500 so now I may buy that as well... but I figure if I get it all cleaned up I could probably flip it in the spring and find a larger one. When I was looking the going price was more like $4000 so I think I can make some money if it turns out to not be what I need.

Yes!

 

[Strouty]

I work by myself and the best thing I ever did was buy my forklift. I was actually smart and got it before alot of my machines when I started my business. Unless that lift is a big pile of junk it is well worth that price.

Yes!

It is a 1960s machine, looks like it is in decent shape overall. They parked it there under its own power. The tilt cylinders have some leaks, but a machine in that price range almost always has some issues. It is propane powered and has a triple mast that allows it to reach 14 or more feet. I will post a pic of it at some point.

 

[Strouty]

Yesterday was just like a soap opera. It is now cemented in my head that I can't use certain people for tower work. Looks like Friday will be the day to get things done. I have another tower crew coming in, they work for a friend's company and there should be no drama.

My Brother and I are going on a small road trip to get a frame section for his ranger. Then we are going to a few places that sell tools and supplies. Should be a nice trip on an otherwise rainy day.

 

[dlcwent]

Let's see what you don't buy today.

 

[Strouty]

Unless they take champagne wishes and caviar dreams, I am slightly tapped out. I also found out that the last job I did will be paid after the selectmen meet next Tuesday, not happy, but it could be worse. Now I am playing the waiting game.

If I get anything it will most likely be adjustable feet to use under more of my custom cabinet stands. Assuming the place still has some.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Could you chain up the fork lift for better traction and just leave them on all the time? Old snow chains can be got for a couple of dollars at goodwill.

 

[Strouty]

This would be primarily an outdoor forklift so I probably could do the chains. I also thought about adding dual tires to the front. Once I get things leveled up, it may be fine most of the time anyways.

Sorry to say I took a really crappy picture of the forklift. I will most likely be buying it end of next week, so I will get better pictures of it later.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Ya, just put chains on the front tires it will climb a tree.

 

[Strouty]

It is going to cost $300 to get it hauled to my shop, I pretty much figured that, but I am going to see if there is any wiggle room on the price. Kind of like when a seller contributes to the closing costs of a house, he could tell me no way, but it is always worth a shot.

Chains may fit on it, but there may not be enough clearance, I did not look at it that close. I know $1500 is too much for scrap price, but it still seems like a good price for this size machine. The guy told me he would get it started for me, but the price would go up so I will take the gamble. I have paid more for worse deals, sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.

 

[matt_i]

Forklift maintenance is pretty cool. I have been thru 2 fixer uppers, a Clark and a Hyster. In order, I'd get the engine running smoothly, all you really need is idle. Then transmission, then brakes. After that you can address rebuilding the hydraulic cylinders....just work, really. The parts to rebuild a cylinder run about $25 each. Usually a couple of days making up special tools to undo the end caps as I don't have the right ones. Shim stock to compress the U-cups and it all goes back together to be tested. Currently, I'm 5 for 5 on my rebuilds, worst thing I did was damage a seal and had to buy another.

I recommend not running on anything other than pavement or hard packed gravel. They get stuck pretty fast.

 

[nine4gmc]

You can't pick it up with your flat bed?

 

[1/2 Cup]

A fork lift would be handy around here at times, I don't think you could go wrong Strouty

 

[Strouty]

Matt, sounds right up my alley and totally doable.

Nines, it probably weighs 10,000 pounds so I don't have anything that rugged that can make the angles work for loading. I may call sunbelt rental and see what a drop trailer can haul, but I am willing to bet that the $300 will seem cheap considering they can get it even if it isn't running.

1/2 cup, I have a small forklift and it is great but it will only pick 3000 pounds where this bigger one will pick 7000.

 

[drivesitfar]

Strouty: if you own the property and your shop have you thought about asphalting the parking areas? initial investment might be a little high, but with tires and the fact it would be easier to use might pay huge dividends in the long run.

also an equity builder in case you ever want to sell and buy a new piece of property to put a shop and a tower on.

cheers big guy

 

[Strouty]

Once I get the yard leveled up and the shop reconfigured I will probably do something like that. It is years away at this point. I know I want to pour some concrete to put my racking on, but it may end up being next year for that.

I did find someone to haul away all the piles if material out back, looks like next week is when it will be done. That will be a great start to getting things cleaned up out there.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Ok, Strouty, I have to admit it, My normally clean garage looks like a bomb went off in it, To the point that I could almost not walk through it. I just completed a home remodel for my younger sister's son. He purchased a fixer upper. "dump". I spent 21 days of my days off there. But we gutted the kitchen and bathroom. Replace cabinets, floors painted. Replaced the tub surround. Put all new floor down in the laundry room and the dinning room. Carpeted the living room and two of the three bed rooms. So I have stuff all over the floors that need to be put back away. So each night after work I will be spending a hour or two out there just putting stuff away. I have been wanting to move some of my tool boxes so I guess now is the time also.
Your clean up helps me to get the ump to get started...Rich

Drives, I have a vise to give to you next time you come through the Yakima valley let me know and we will get it to you...Rich