Peter's Truck Thread

[Peter]

Pete, I've been meaning to ask you. What was the purpose of shortening the truck? I'm guessing weights and classifications etc. but what classification was it/ is it now?

 

Also, did it need to be shortened in order to allow for the weight of the crane? Or am i barking upt the wrong street? ( I would say tree, but thats silly)

 

It was shortened to aid manouverability, it is still 18 tonnes gross, with about ten tonne payload. The bed is now 4.2 metres, so if i stack it to the cab roof it's fully loaded, depending on the density of the timber obviously.

 

Now its nice and short I can reverse it down drives, even on suburban narrow(ish) roads.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Peter

[Stephen Blair]

they are some big lumps peter, what does the crane lift?

[Ian Leach]

Between 2.5 to 3 tons

[Peter]

Not carrying much in that state. Can you explain the build process Ed? Genuinly interested.

 

Remove original body and propshaft, get propshaft shortened as necessary.

 

Detach all brake lines, hydraulic hoses, and electrical cables from chassis

 

Mark chassis for cutting, and cut out section of chassis with angle grinder.

 

Move the two halves of the truck together, get a grown-up to weld them together, and weld in flitch plates.

 

Refit shortened prop shaft

 

Shorten and adapt body to suit, with sockets for bolster pins.

 

Refit body, repipe crane, and go to work.

 

Simples!

Edited December 2, 2009 by Peter

[Peter]

they are some big lumps peter, what does the crane lift?

 

Its a 9.5 tonne/metre crane, with a theoretical maximum lift of 5 tonnes. In terms of big lumps of tree, you cant get that close to the centre, so 2.5-3 tonnes is about the limit.

[Johny Walker]

do you fit a brace accross the joint:001_smile:

[tommer9]

 

get a grown-up to weld them together.

 

 

:lol:

 

That truck is flippin awesome mate:thumbup:

 

Just what i would like, although 4wd would be an advantage due to the muddy pit i call a yard:thumbdown:

[Peter]

do you fit a brace accross the joint:001_smile:

 

We made 4 flitch plates out of the cut out section of chassis, these are welded into the c section of the chassis, on the inside.

[Rupe]

Ok. I'm happy now. Before it was fine, but hard to manoevre and easy to overload.

 

You made it more simple to use and fit for purpose! Like it. Wasn't sure if it was something that "had" to be done or not. I do like it though, i'll put one on the list. I'm think of another LDV project first though. camper van!

[Stephen Blair]

Its a 9.5 tonne/metre crane, with a theoretical maximum lift of 5 tonnes. In terms of big lumps of tree, you cant get that close to the centre, so 2.5-3 tonnes is about the limit.

 

i like the crane at the back, mine is the same but i am thinking on getting it moved to behind the cab. what do you think? i want bolsters like yours but also greedy sides, but i feel with the crane at the back i wont be able to get stuff in by hand if i have to.