Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage
- Thread starter Strouty
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
casmurbax
Well-known member
Strouty,
Not to sound stupid but does the ramp truck only break down on you?
Does it have a plugged catalytic converter?
You got Baker, where is Ponch?
Not to sound stupid but does the ramp truck only break down on you?
Does it have a plugged catalytic converter?
You got Baker, where is Ponch?
1Garageman
Well-known member
He is one super busy man! Physically and mentally with all of the stuff going on!
steaks&anvils
Well-known member
Good luck with that. The brains around here may be fresh, but they certainly have no nutritional value... Like eating celery.
On the phone with Po Co now, my appointment has hit some issue, but they can’t tell me what. I am an hour past the appointment and I only have another 30 minutes before I have to leave to get to my next appointment on time. Very frustrating, setup the appointment at the end of July so I could have a specific time.
xtremek
Well-known member
That's good news. Did they clue you in on want their issue was? Just being nosey.
casmurbax
Well-known member
haha that's great!
hey did you have luck selling the security tags?
hey did you have luck selling the security tags?
I got things semi working, I think I need some more hydraulic oil for the reservoir, couldn’t get one piece to move enough to unlock the mechanism holding the tail up. On top of that a ram ripped a rusty piece of steel off the frame and now is just hanging there.
At least I can make things work using the F-550.
At least I can make things work using the F-550.
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So the hydraulics have an issue for sure, I can start the tail out, but it will not retract at all. I will have to mess with it when I have two people, it was really tough trying to figure out what was going on at one end of the trailer while I was running the controls at the other end. I might be able to setup my camera and watch video from my phone, but I don’t have the ambition tonight. My guess is this will be on the ground tomorrow morning. At least it seems to consistently go up, just very slowly.
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I think trying to swap some of the valves around will tell me a bit more about what is going on. Probably in the end, I will remove everything and start fresh, seems like there are so many unknowns at this point. On top of that I would like to add 12 volt controls so I can use a wireless remote, most of the time I am by myself and that would make it a lot easier.
xtremek
Well-known member
The wireless remote for your situation is a must have I would think. That's a big part of the reason I rebuilt the old hitch/bumper on my dump truck. Now it's a one man operation.
So the design for the F-550 needs some attention, not really sure why it was setup the way it was, but I have always hated it. Totally wasted space, then a dumb toolbox that is almost useless for 90% of what the truck was used for. I do like the lines of the backpack box (or cross box) and truck cab, so I want to work in the confines of that. What I don’t like is the amount of negative space that is just begging for storage solutions. When you need to repair something, you need to have tools and they need to be accessible, the current setup makes you take half the toolbox out to get to the middle and even then, the storage is terrible. Visibility is another thing, the truck needs newer, bigger mirrors, the factory ones would be fine on a pickup truck, but these don’t do very well in my opinion, I am constantly having to move my head around to get a better view when merging or backing up on my blind side, bigger mirrors should solve that.
The middle is unreachable since it is over seven feet across.
Wasted underbody space
More wasted space, probably use for outrigger pads.
Lots more wasted real estate.
Like I said, I like the lines of the box, just need to do some mods.
I have already played with moving the crutch for the crane forward, it allows for some boxes to be installed above the deck (used one for an example) but it makes the top of the backpack box so you can’t open it. I have a couple ideas on how to fix it, but I need to think about it a bit.
The middle is unreachable since it is over seven feet across.
Wasted underbody space
More wasted space, probably use for outrigger pads.
Lots more wasted real estate.
Like I said, I like the lines of the box, just need to do some mods.
I have already played with moving the crutch for the crane forward, it allows for some boxes to be installed above the deck (used one for an example) but it makes the top of the backpack box so you can’t open it. I have a couple ideas on how to fix it, but I need to think about it a bit.
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This is my quick mock up for the crane side. I should be able to fit some more boxes above and below the bed, the ones below would be smaller so they don’t get hung up as easy.
The crutch would have to be modified to work out on the end, it hits some flared portion of the boom. Normally it would be int he middle of the boom with the cable diagonally crossing from the boom to the bottom of the crutch. Essentially it ruins that entire area of the bed.
Would have to adjust things to clear the door or rework it so that the door misses the boom where it is.
The rear is it’s own can of worms, it drops off like a cliff, no easy place to step. Then the rear (removable) rack is essentially always in the way, especially when using the crane, I usually remove it before using the crane but it is pretty heavy, then occasionally you forget to put it back, then you have to go back to get it. I would have made a place to store it so it is out of the way all the time, but still with you when you need it.
The drop off!
Then we have the hydraulic tank, ex employee built it to fit in a tight spot, but there is no sight glass or level indicator and the place where you fill it has a baffle about 2” below it, so it constantly gets over filled. I want to make a conventional style tank and remove this one.
The crutch would have to be modified to work out on the end, it hits some flared portion of the boom. Normally it would be int he middle of the boom with the cable diagonally crossing from the boom to the bottom of the crutch. Essentially it ruins that entire area of the bed.
Would have to adjust things to clear the door or rework it so that the door misses the boom where it is.
The rear is it’s own can of worms, it drops off like a cliff, no easy place to step. Then the rear (removable) rack is essentially always in the way, especially when using the crane, I usually remove it before using the crane but it is pretty heavy, then occasionally you forget to put it back, then you have to go back to get it. I would have made a place to store it so it is out of the way all the time, but still with you when you need it.
The drop off!
Then we have the hydraulic tank, ex employee built it to fit in a tight spot, but there is no sight glass or level indicator and the place where you fill it has a baffle about 2” below it, so it constantly gets over filled. I want to make a conventional style tank and remove this one.
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I am trying to get the new big winch moving, running into hydraulic fitting issues. I have to pull apart a couple things to make the connection, it stinks working on weekends when you need parts that aren't easily available. NAPA may have them, but I need to know what I am looking for or they "never" have it, miraculously if you have a part number they have it or can get it. Tractor supply might be viable, but between my knowledge (or lack of) and the general knowledge of whoever is on the other end of the phone, I will still need to take a trip there, don't want to waste the time right now, already wasted enough trying to find what I have. Also willing to bet that I have what is needed at the SG, that is frustrating as well.
Took some lube, 48” pipe wrench, and an 8 pound hammer to free up the capstan head, but I got it off.
I should be able to plumb everything up to the F-550 and test it out, working on the adapters now. Luckily I had one more set of quick connects, still have to make due without one adapter.
Took some lube, 48” pipe wrench, and an 8 pound hammer to free up the capstan head, but I got it off.
I should be able to plumb everything up to the F-550 and test it out, working on the adapters now. Luckily I had one more set of quick connects, still have to make due without one adapter.
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The big winch and the capstan work great, a little research and I am sure I can get the 12 volt solenoids to work as well, at this point I think I am done with that part for today.
I want to see if I can swap a few lines around on the trailer and make the rear tail piece work properly, if it doesn’t work after swapping the valves, then I don’t know what the trouble is, the ram opened the ramp part way, then stopped and would not go forward or backwards after that. Really should work on tearing the trailer apart, I just want to see everything functioning. I guess it doesn’t matter, I would replace all the hydraulics if needed anyways.
I want to see if I can swap a few lines around on the trailer and make the rear tail piece work properly, if it doesn’t work after swapping the valves, then I don’t know what the trouble is, the ram opened the ramp part way, then stopped and would not go forward or backwards after that. Really should work on tearing the trailer apart, I just want to see everything functioning. I guess it doesn’t matter, I would replace all the hydraulics if needed anyways.
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Looking at the trailer, the toughest part seems to be removing the wood, it is actually in decent shape, so it will be harder to remove, kind of thinking I might use a small hole saw to drill around each screw, then I can deal with those after the wood is out of the way. I have not tried unscrewing them yet, but I have a feeling that will be a silly endeavor. I am going to pull the end portion of the ramp completely off, I think the secondary portion (the bigger deck part) will flip up and over onto the fixed portion of the trailer once the rams are removed.
Going to try and remove some screws, wish me luck.
Going to try and remove some screws, wish me luck.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
See my suggestions in Red Please.
You mentioned the toolbox inaccessibility issue in an earlier post, would you consider making a shelf on slides to bring everything outside for access? There are units available for full size vans, to reduce eliminate having to climb inside, so weight should be a non-issue, pricing well I bet that could be an issue! I'll see if I can find a link later and I'll edit it in. Harry
I had been thinking slides, but I think I can recreate the box and make it better and easier to get things. The pull out ladder isn’t a bad idea at all. As for the rear rack, I may just remake it out of aluminum, then make a place to stow it out of the way, then you would only put it in place when you need it. The rear looks like it can be reworked a bit, there is lots o space to make a step, I just can’t understand why it wasn’t done in the first place.
I will take some pictures of what I think I am going to do with the boom later, I am trying to get the wood off the rear of the trailer. It may be easier than anticipated, the screws seem to all be rotted away.
I will take some pictures of what I think I am going to do with the boom later, I am trying to get the wood off the rear of the trailer. It may be easier than anticipated, the screws seem to all be rotted away.
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With the boom, I have figured out how to use the headboard, I will have to weld some brackets into it, but then the boom will have a stable place to rest and the top door of the backpack box will open. I have to make a half round bracket to move the cable toward the back as well, but i have another crane that does the same thing and it has worked forever. I may rework the block as well, it is ridiculous how far the bolts stick out, I am thinking I can make it thicker and smoother at the same time, the added weight will be nice since it is barely heavy enough to keep the cable feeding properly.
The hydraulic tank is not worth trying to modify, it was built to fit that area, I just don’t like it.
I can say for sure I want to install a hose reel, they make them with two half inch lines 25’ long, the current hoses are a bit over 30’, but they have always been too long. The reel will make projects like what I have been doing a snap, easier to setup, easier to put things away.
The hydraulic tank is not worth trying to modify, it was built to fit that area, I just don’t like it.
I can say for sure I want to install a hose reel, they make them with two half inch lines 25’ long, the current hoses are a bit over 30’, but they have always been too long. The reel will make projects like what I have been doing a snap, easier to setup, easier to put things away.
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jakemac
Well-known member
Why not just weld a ring to the boom and hook the block to it . The block would be secured from swinging and away from the box, behind the rail.
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app
I will probably order the hose reel next week, I am hoping for a coupon code from ZORO, as they have decent price and that will make it better. Looking it over, once I install the hose reel, I can eliminate the two sets of quick connects from the truck, as the auxiliary lines will be plumbed directly to the reel, much cleaner in my opinion. The quick connects are really expensive too ($150 a set), so they will be better suited on some of my equipment rather than the sides of the truck. Looks like it will be a couple weeks before it ships, guess it comes from the manufacturer directly, hopefully there won't be any major delays.
mybigwarwagon
Well-known member
On the rear rack. Would it be possible to hinge it where it folds down, but is easily removable is needed. Then you could flip it down to use the crane, and it could be taken off if it was completely in the way.
One thing that I am going to do this week is something that is hard to explain, I am going to over estimate how long things will take and underestimate how many things I can do. This should allow me to concentrate on something without “worrying” that I am clogging up the shop or blocking the possibility of another project. The F-550 is getting pulled into the main bay and I am tearing into the brakes, I am sure I won’t be able to get the parts for days, but I want to get started. I also will be able to work on the crane crutch and figuring tool boxes out along with the rear step redo.
Outside I will have the new trailer setup for demo, all the deck boards and diamond plate need to be removed as well as the ramp and hydraulic rams. I still have office duty, house remodeling duty, along with various other things, so I am shooting for two weeks as my timeframe. So trailer deck removed down to a skeleton, F-550 brakes replaced and boom crutch done. Those are the only two goals, I am sure there will be some mission creep, but that is what I am looking at accomplishing. Just thinking about the project, I am already adding to it, F-550 needs mirrors.
In between this I need to get a few little things done on Perk, the inspection sticker ran out on the first, need that updated and my back up alarm isn’t working.
Outside I will have the new trailer setup for demo, all the deck boards and diamond plate need to be removed as well as the ramp and hydraulic rams. I still have office duty, house remodeling duty, along with various other things, so I am shooting for two weeks as my timeframe. So trailer deck removed down to a skeleton, F-550 brakes replaced and boom crutch done. Those are the only two goals, I am sure there will be some mission creep, but that is what I am looking at accomplishing. Just thinking about the project, I am already adding to it, F-550 needs mirrors.
In between this I need to get a few little things done on Perk, the inspection sticker ran out on the first, need that updated and my back up alarm isn’t working.
xtremek
Well-known member
Busy, busy, busy. And honest, we don't go looking for work. It's just there and no one else will step up to the plate.
Even my good idea of scaling back and lengthening the timelines might be a tough one, I hadn't reviewed my schedule, I usually do it Sunday mornings, I have a lot of things scheduled for the next two weeks, I lose at least 5 days and that doesn't count the normal stuff, office stuff, or unplanned stuff. Am I setting myself up for defeat before I really start? Going to narrow the focus, F-550 is the only task that I am going to tackle with the two week goal. The trailer will be background filler along with everything else. I need the F-550 going so I can drive it for a week or two while I do repairs on the maroon burb.
My other main goal, but should be relatively easy to do it to get Perk inspected, I know I need a backup alarm for sure. Hopefully they want fail me on the oil leaks, if they do, then Perk will have to have some more serious attention.
My other main goal, but should be relatively easy to do it to get Perk inspected, I know I need a backup alarm for sure. Hopefully they want fail me on the oil leaks, if they do, then Perk will have to have some more serious attention.
So it begins, as I am cleaning up I run into my tangled mess that I call jumper cables, I started untangling them, then remembered that the reason they were in the shop was that the jacket on the cable had been pulled back over the years exposing the copper wire strands.
Even the ones that had heat shrink did the same, not as bad, but still did it.
So I took things apart and wrapped electrical tape around the exposed wire, then added longer heat shrink. I decided to add a large piece of heat shrink over the duplex wire, but it turned out like ***.
So I peeled all that off and used heavier duty shrink tube that is longer, hopefully it will hold up better.
I figure I have a bunch of these little projects that I have been tripping over and I need to do them rather than move them again.
Even the ones that had heat shrink did the same, not as bad, but still did it.
So I took things apart and wrapped electrical tape around the exposed wire, then added longer heat shrink. I decided to add a large piece of heat shrink over the duplex wire, but it turned out like ***.
So I peeled all that off and used heavier duty shrink tube that is longer, hopefully it will hold up better.
I figure I have a bunch of these little projects that I have been tripping over and I need to do them rather than move them again.
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The adhesive from the heat shrink isn’t sticking as well as I wanted, I tried sanding the wire a bit and have let one setup cool completely, going to try and install it now and see what happens. I have not gotten much done, had some BS with my Dad, I asked him about his old toolboxes and he told me they were never leaving, pissed me off to no end. I bit my tongue, he did come back a bit later and was calm, said that timing wasn’t right and he wanted to move them to the lake house garage, but left it open ended, exactly where it has been since December 2019 when I moved in.
steaks&anvils
Well-known member
Nice. Good to get even a little project done.
On your whiteboard or whatever list you use, maybe instead of listing what you have to get done, you can instead list the projects that you do finish? Don't forget to list the stuff you put away too, since that counts as finished.
That way you can see what really was done all week.
My place is small compared to the vast garage empire you have, so I can readily see what is done and put away. You have stuff in multiple realms, so it's not obvious what really was completed.