REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL
TOOLS, CONSTRUCTION, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY => Construction and heavy equipment => Topic started by: Flyin6 on June 15, 2017, 04:43:19 PM
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Welp, I went and did it
I purchased an excavator!
I was planning to buy one for several years now, but I was always looking around the 12,000 to 30,000 pound range.
These midi to small sized Track Hoes are fairly popular with farmers, Landscapers, and just about everybody, and the price has oftentimes reflected it.
I really am needing one for the Hide to dig out a bunch of things so yesterday I spent almost all day looking on line and on Craigslist, then around 1900 I checked one more time, and this interesting Kobelco showed up...He had just posted it.
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That is a 2001 Kobelco SK250LC Dynamic Acera with an optional long stick, aux low and high volume hydraulics to the front to run a thumb or a tree saw or things like that.
I checked it out thoroughly. The motor is quiet, and starts right up, and does not smoke at all. The interior looks really great, like closer to new than used. None of the many excavators I have looked at, including reconditioned units looked this good inside, and all this current owner did was to sweep it out.
This is NOT a little excavator! This is a 55,000 pound unit with a 54" bucket on the front. To say it is powerful is a gross understatement. You can punch right into limestone scale and just yank it right out. A 60 foot tree takes a couple minutes to push over...THis thing is no joke!
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Check out the hours:
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Square D running??
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Ouch Tex!
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That hobbs says 2800 hours!
Now I would not even begin to believe that, I mean 8000+ would be more believable, but then I got to really looking around. Now either the tracks have been changed or they are not worn much, consistent with a couple thousand hour machine. The pins are round, no wear I can see. The sprockets are maybe 90%. Both idler wheels are not pushed out very much at all, like they were almost new.
The boom pins have zero play. The turn-table has zero play. The boom to stick bushing has no play. The hydraulic coupler bushings have no play at all!
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Square D running??
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SquareD won't dig holes and put a farm together!
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Doors all work, the front glass pulls in and slides overhead, and all that works!
The Air Conditioner works like a champ, as do all the electronics
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The bucket is a big one, I think a 54" unit and it has a hydraulic bucket coupler
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The hydraulic pump is quiet and really big. I think it is something 105 liters/min flow rate (Could be wrong about that. THe owners manual is behind the seat, so I'll be all over that in short order!
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Track grouser height is still there and I could see no significant undercarriage problems. It also pivot steers easily. I have found older units will turn a small arc instead of pivot steering as the pump or drive motors wear. THis unit does not do that.
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The turntable or swing motor is huge!
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The motor and coolers were dry, and relatively clean...much cleaner than most of the units I have looked at in the past
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I'm not the only guy to have an out house in operation...although this one is not actually in operation
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I saw it prior to cleanup, which it is getting right now. The gentleman selling it is a heavy equipment mechanic and wants to change the engine oil, then run a wrench over all the fittings and new lines he just installed, then pressure wash the whole thing
He bought this thing for a song. The previous owner hit a bridge with it, putting a dent into the boom. I looked at that dent. It is really insignificant, like no big deal at all. But the insurance company totaled it out, paying off the $50K+ owed on it. THey sold it to the guy who I bought it from last week. He replaced the damaged lines and went over it, then placed it up for sale last night five minutes before I called him. I purchased it for $25K delivered to my farm!
No kidding...
I honestly think I can operate this thing for the next few years, then sell it for the $25K I paid for it, only adding oil changes and fixing stuff that breaks. Renting a unit this size can be around $2K a week!
This was a smart buy I think...The owner and I both prayed over the deal before we agreed to it, and I just felt great about it.
Praise Jesus, Praise the Lord!
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Wow, that sounds too good to be true. :popcorn:
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Wow, that sounds too good to be true. :popcorn:
It does sound promising to be sure!
I think I'll get it hauled to the Farm, then work it one day to see how everything is functioning. After that, I'll get a professional cleaning crew to come in and pressure wash the thing with the chems to remove the grease residue, then sand it off, and paint it. I like my stuff pretty...just like my women ;-))
Just kidding... don't want to sound crude...But it was funny!
But being truthful, my wife is beautiful, and our three girls are all beautiful, and I definitely like them all, so in essence, I made a true statement!
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YouTube vid of it being operated posted by the seller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FN6l-ELk1g
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dang! nice score, if you need somebody to show you how to use that thing just let me know.....lol. no wonder you haven't returned my call.....lol
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You will really love it. We have dug out huge cottonwood trees with ours. You will pull the machine over before it runs out of power. Just watch out for coons in the engine compartment. They like to chew on the black rubber insoulation.
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Nice score Don!
I see one heck of a CARREP inbound... :rolleyes:
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Nice score Don!
I see one heck of a CARREP inbound... :rolleyes:
Let's pray the carrep is a constructive one, as that thing will sure cause some "damage" (read progress) to ponds, houses, and well anything that gets in the way.
No idea about anything on it but sure looks like good machine.
Don what color? You should go with the tan that all mrap and matv and we'll all sorts of vehicles our military runs!!!! Then you have the old green on Old Sarge, and new tan on new.....whatever it will be designated as!
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Good score Don
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You will really love it. We have dug out huge cottonwood trees with ours. You will pull the machine over before it runs out of power. Just watch out for coons in the engine compartment. They like to chew on the black rubber insoulation.
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You own a 250??
I was a bit concerned about getting a machine that big...
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You will really love it. We have dug out huge cottonwood trees with ours. You will pull the machine over before it runs out of power. Just watch out for coons in the engine compartment. They like to chew on the black rubber insoulation.
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You own a 250??
I was a bit concerned about getting a machine that big...
We have a kobelco 210 sk. We have torn apart concrete hog sheds. Leveled an old grove of trees and dug more holes than I can count. Our neighbor has the same machine we do and he loves his too. You got a good machine there.
Go to a kobelco dealer to get filters. Kobelco was in with case IH for a while and then split back off. The Case dealer had a hard time figuring out what filter fit what because they changed all the numbers. Write down your serial number and the Kobelco dealer can decipher everything. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170616/6617c1333828fb49f06fd0af40d44dbe.jpg)
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Nice score Don!
I see one heck of a CARREP inbound... :rolleyes:
Let's pray the carrep is a constructive one, as that thing will sure cause some "damage" (read progress) to ponds, houses, and well anything that gets in the way.
No idea about anything on it but sure looks like good machine.
Don what color? You should go with the tan that all mrap and matv and we'll all sorts of vehicles our military runs!!!! Then you have the old green on Old Sarge, and new tan on new.....whatever it will be designated as!
It's called "Chief"
Will have a W4 bar affixed to the side of it in the future sometime!
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You will really love it. We have dug out huge cottonwood trees with ours. You will pull the machine over before it runs out of power. Just watch out for coons in the engine compartment. They like to chew on the black rubber insoulation.
Sent from my VK810 4G using Tapatalk
You own a 250??
I was a bit concerned about getting a machine that big...
We have a kobelco 210 sk. We have torn apart concrete hog sheds. Leveled an old grove of trees and dug more holes than I can count. Our neighbor has the same machine we do and he loves his too. You got a good machine there.
Go to a kobelco dealer to get filters. Kobelco was in with case IH for a while and then split back off. The Case dealer had a hard time figuring out what filter fit what because they changed all the numbers. Write down your serial number and the Kobelco dealer can decipher everything. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170616/6617c1333828fb49f06fd0af40d44dbe.jpg)
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Good advice, Thanks!
Just so happens the Case dealer that rebuilt Sarge is also a Kobelco dealer!
And Larry, Richard, Jon, and the rest of the crew there are just great. I'll go to them for everything for sure.
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Great write-up and story - obviously HIS hand is in this; gotta love a deal you both prayed over!
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Good score seems like (I know less than nothing abt heavy equip but your description of its wear seemed to make sense). I am sure the dirt will be flying (or trees, or rocks, or small liberal's cars) in no time.
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The only drawback I can see is there is no thumb. It looks like it had one at one time. Even a stationary one makes a world of difference picking stuff up. Especially logs and big chunks of concrete. In your case boulders and the aforementioned liberals cars.
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Very nice score Don! I include myself in the CARREP fans and this should help with that exponentially! :beercheers:
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Is Chief go to make a stop a the dealership to be looked over before heading to the farm or do you figure it is good to go?
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Is Chief go to make a stop a the dealership to be looked over before heading to the farm or do you figure it is good to go?
I looked it over fairly well. I suspect several hydraulic lines, one hard line and half dozen flex lines, but I plan to replace them in the fall when the work season slows. I get one "Shipping" on this machine included in the purchase price. If I spend that going to the dealership, then I'll be on tab for $700-$1000 to get it shipped to the farm afterward.
The thing looks pretty solid so far, so I think the best option is to get it farmside and put it to work. After 40-50 hours, I'll know a lot more about it and be able to develop a plan to address any issues I find.
I already know that one day I will strip off all those questionable lines and take them to the hydraulic shop. When they are re-created, I'll reinstall on another day and have that one in the bank.
With machinery of this quality/heavy-"dutiness" it is either hard broke (Drive out) and too expensive to fix or it just runs. A machine like this is meant to do very heavy work like scraping our a mountainside for eight hours a day, everyday. Retiring them to a farm essentially is the equivalent of placing them into a time capsule. The work is not as hard and they barely get uses comparatively speaking. They end up lasting in relatively good condition for the remainder of the farmers lifetime.
For all those reasons, I think the better answer is to just get it "Home" and put it to work.
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Very nice score Don! I include myself in the CARREP fans and this should help with that exponentially! :beercheers:
New category: CARREP-Ext
Definition: Carnage external to the machine inducing it
Example: Machine is moving along in a civilized manner and comes across two parked Prius's. Machine proceeds to pulverize said embarrassments without receiving so much as a scratch in the paint, then proceeds on in a civilized manner.
Standard category of CARREP still represents damage to said machine
Example: Machine is busily mangling previous example prius girly-man cars when the bucket comes in contact with the 400 pound bomb sitting in the back seat of jihadist prius #2. In this case there would be both a CARREP, and a CARREP-ext
Concerning the previous example, there may even be a DOM-R (Death of Machine report) 8-0
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The only drawback I can see is there is no thumb. It looks like it had one at one time. Even a stationary one makes a world of difference picking stuff up. Especially logs and big chunks of concrete. In your case boulders and the aforementioned liberals cars.
Not so fast Grasshopper!
It is plumbed for a hydro thumb.
He threw in a cylinder that will mount right up. I just have to find a thumb that would fit a 250 machine. He had a thumb for a 120 and a 200, and one for a bigger Cat, a 345 I think. It was too big and probably weighed several thousand pounds intelf.
I can score a used one for around $800 I'm told, then I'd only have to run two lines and I'd be cookin' with bacon grease!
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Very nice score Don. Meant to be it looks like.
I was thinking the same thing on the thumb. Plus with the long reach you can do anything now.
As a thought with all the toys you have, why not get a hose machine? Think of all the down time you could save and even make hoses for a few locals to offset the cost.
It needs a set of eyes on the bucket though. Something like that at least, what color you thinking?
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Excavator looks great, I can think of several projects something like that would come in handy
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Very nice score Don. Meant to be it looks like.
I was thinking the same thing on the thumb. Plus with the long reach you can do anything now.
As a thought with all the toys you have, why not get a hose machine? Think of all the down time you could save and even make hoses for a few locals to offset the cost.
It needs a set of eyes on the bucket though. Something like that at least, what color you thinking?
On the thumb: I have a free cylinder which I would have repacked @ $300
Then I'd have to find a thumb that matched up with the bucket somewhat for $800-$1200
The seller just called me about a mechanical thumb he located. A seller he knows in Indiana has two weld on mechanical thumbs that fit my machine. The larger of the two costs $1500. Add on maybe $400 to cut off the old one, then weld on the new one and I'm looking at being thumbed up for just under $2K
Looking at one of the first jobs for Chief, is digging out and enlarging the pond. To do that involves the removal of 20-30 trees. I can grub around them and dig them out easily enough, or with a thumb, just pull them out of the ground like a big weed (Easier)
I think I'm leaning toward getting the thumb, then having a welder come to the farm to weld on the new thumb.
Next issue: Fuel...This thing takes 97 gallons to fill up!. It has maybe 10 gallons in the tank right now.
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Excavator looks great, I can think of several projects something like that would come in handy
I'm going underground man!
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How long would it take you to drive it over to my new place in Williamstown? :smiley:
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Nice Don. congrats!!
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How long would it take you to drive it over to my new place in Williamstown? :smiley:
Now that right there is funny... :smiley:
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Have them fill it on the way over,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
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How long would it take you to drive it over to my new place in Williamstown? :smiley:
Years
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Have them fill it on the way over,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I asked
No-Go
Permitted (Wide) load.
Has to comply with rules...no stops for things like gas
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
Just get busy on the paperwork, it is just big brother making sure you really need the stuff. That my friend is a whole bunch of 5 gal. cans. Maybe find a guy with a fuel cell in the back of his truck to come fill it for you. Until you get the paperwork finished, draw a permit for the tank, and the inspection to be sure you really need it etc. a fuel cell most likely your best option.
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So you bought an Excavator, and have decried that is shall be named "Chief" and expect it to do work.. Now I might have been a lowly grunt, but EVERY Warrant Officer ever seen (reportedly there are Warrants in most duty stations) in the Military avoid work at all costs... so by Military logic you'll get Chief to the farm, and it will soon disappear due to some reason or another... only to re-appear after work has been completed.
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Have them fill it on the way over,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I asked
No-Go
Permitted (Wide) load.
Has to comply with rules...no stops for things like gas
Have you checked with the seller, he might know someone with a diesel tank in the back of their truck that could fill it before it leaves his place.
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How long would it take you to drive it over to my new place in Williamstown? :smiley:
Funny you say that... a couple weeks back I posted a pic of a '48 8N Ford tractor my buddy bought... well, the guy my buddy bought it from, when HE bought it, drove it home about 10-15 miles on back roads. Top speed is like 18mph. lol
I think an excavator is a little slower than that.
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
Just get busy on the paperwork, it is just big brother making sure you really need the stuff. That my friend is a whole bunch of 5 gal. cans. Maybe find a guy with a fuel cell in the back of his truck to come fill it for you. Until you get the paperwork finished, draw a permit for the tank, and the inspection to be sure you really need it etc. a fuel cell most likely your best option.
Ahem... Big D has a fuel cell in the back of a truck.... Square D... :facepalm:
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
Just get busy on the paperwork, it is just big brother making sure you really need the stuff. That my friend is a whole bunch of 5 gal. cans. Maybe find a guy with a fuel cell in the back of his truck to come fill it for you. Until you get the paperwork finished, draw a permit for the tank, and the inspection to be sure you really need it etc. a fuel cell most likely your best option.
Ahem... Big D has a fuel cell in the back of a truck.... Square D... :facepalm:
So this means he needs to be Square D at the top of the finish list then!!!
Big D, How bout it, get that last few items knocked out and haul the fuel yourself!!!
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Bobby, I think Big D mispoke. He meant to call SquareD "chief"....by the standards you set forth. lol
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Bobby, I think Big D mispoke. He meant to call SquareD "chief"....by the standards you set forth. lol
Maybe he meant to name it "Corporal"?
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I think someone suggested mounting his tank on a skid so it could loaded on a trailer for just this kind of thing. Hmmm....wonder who that guy was... :grin:
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Hmm...does sound very familiar.
:cool: :cool: :cool:
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One of those 250gal plastic tanks would work great. Slide it onto the 1101 trailer.
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So you bought an Excavator, and have decried that is shall be named "Chief" and expect it to do work.. Now I might have been a lowly grunt, but EVERY Warrant Officer ever seen (reportedly there are Warrants in most duty stations) in the Military avoid work at all costs... so by Military logic you'll get Chief to the farm, and it will soon disappear due to some reason or another... only to re-appear after work has been completed.
Hmmmm...
Hadn't considered that...
Chief is the name, has to be
The dump truck will be called "The General" so that pretty much covers everything
Already named the computer "LT" because it always gives me bad information
Named my DR-650, "Captn" because it thinks it is much larger and more capable. Had an angry dog named "Major" once, but I shot it because it was so mean! I refer to the kids as my privates...No body knows what a corporal is, and all the sergeant ranks just confuse and seem to repeat themselves.
Chief, like the Warrant Ossifer, is different...very different. But I had forgotten that skirten' all the hard work thing...
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How long would it take you to drive it over to my new place in Williamstown? :smiley:
Funny you say that... a couple weeks back I posted a pic of a '48 8N Ford tractor my buddy bought... well, the guy my buddy bought it from, when HE bought it, drove it home about 10-15 miles on back roads. Top speed is like 18mph. lol
I think an excavator is a little slower than that.
top travel speed is 3.7mph
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Have them fill it on the way over,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I asked
No-Go
Permitted (Wide) load.
Has to comply with rules...no stops for things like gas
Have you checked with the seller, he might know someone with a diesel tank in the back of their truck that could fill it before it leaves his place.
I asked about that too. Barry, the seller suggested I get a bunch of 5 gal cans...
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
Just get busy on the paperwork, it is just big brother making sure you really need the stuff. That my friend is a whole bunch of 5 gal. cans. Maybe find a guy with a fuel cell in the back of his truck to come fill it for you. Until you get the paperwork finished, draw a permit for the tank, and the inspection to be sure you really need it etc. a fuel cell most likely your best option.
Ahem... Big D has a fuel cell in the back of a truck.... Square D... :facepalm:
So this means he needs to be Square D at the top of the finish list then!!!
Big D, How bout it, get that last few items knocked out and haul the fuel yourself!!!
This problem isn't really a problem
For a few more years I have the pre-rangers and a bunch of 5 gal cans...Problem solved
Although
One of them has hinted about wanting to check out the Marines...
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One of those 250gal plastic tanks would work great. Slide it onto the 1101 trailer.
I thought about just that!
What if I take that extra 330 gal tote I have and deposit 200 gallons of red diesel in it...then motor that down farmside, and have the one pre-ranger and the other confused one run a hand pump for several hours!
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So you bought an Excavator, and have decried that is shall be named "Chief" and expect it to do work.. Now I might have been a lowly grunt, but EVERY Warrant Officer ever seen (reportedly there are Warrants in most duty stations) in the Military avoid work at all costs... so by Military logic you'll get Chief to the farm, and it will soon disappear due to some reason or another... only to re-appear after work has been completed.
Hmmmm...
Hadn't considered that...
Chief is the name, has to be
The dump truck will be called "The General" so that pretty much covers everything
Already named the computer "LT" because it always gives me bad information
Named my DR-650, "Captn" because it thinks it is much larger and more capable. Had an angry dog named "Major" once, but I shot it because it was so mean! I refer to the kids as my privates...No body knows what a corporal is, and all the sergeant ranks just confuse and seem to repeat themselves.
Chief, like the Warrant Ossifer, is different...very different. But I had forgotten that skirten' all the hard work thing...
A corporal, depending on the branch is one of two things:
Army, a non existent once upon a time rank. That if seen today it's for some strange reason given by said corporal. Instead this level of rank is known as a specialist..... why I have no idea because the only type of special they are filling is definitely not in regards to be proficient at their job like it once was.
Marine Corps, the backbone of the corps, typically fill shoes bigger than the weight they carry on the collar. Frequently found educating other marines on their area of expertise, which often involves something being wrecked.
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Update:
The engine oil has been changed. Replaced with several gallons (6) of straight up premium diesel SAE 30 wt.
The batteries were loose, but were re-secured. A helper got underneath and scraped all the gunk off the turntable and most of the boom.
Two O-rings were replaced, and the new lines checked for tightness
Tomorrow is a pressure washing
Transportation is set for Monday morning
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I am betting off road diesel in your storage tank is sounding better all the time.
Well...No one wants to come in and fill it for a reasonable cost. Best I have found so far is 1.90/gal once I complete a mountain of paperwork
Just get busy on the paperwork, it is just big brother making sure you really need the stuff. That my friend is a whole bunch of 5 gal. cans. Maybe find a guy with a fuel cell in the back of his truck to come fill it for you. Until you get the paperwork finished, draw a permit for the tank, and the inspection to be sure you really need it etc. a fuel cell most likely your best option.
Ahem... Big D has a fuel cell in the back of a truck.... Square D... :facepalm:
So this means he needs to be Square D at the top of the finish list then!!!
Big D, How bout it, get that last few items knocked out and haul the fuel yourself!!!
This problem isn't really a problem
For a few more years I have the pre-rangers and a bunch of 5 gal cans...Problem solved
Although
One of them has hinted about wanting to check out the Marines...
This is true, my little scout is not big enough to carry a gas can yet so I hadn't thought of that option.
Which one is contemplating the marines? The younger? And good for him I support it!!!
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my question is, why are you going to have a thumb welded on and not able to remove it when not needed versus have a little PATIENCE "old one" and wait till you find a thumb that can be taken on and off?
or am I missing something?
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my question is, why are you going to have a thumb welded on and not able to remove it when not needed versus have a little PATIENCE "old one" and wait till you find a thumb that can be taken on and off?
or am I missing something?
You're missing something, not so young one!
One has to weld on the brackets for the thumb and the stiff arm. to remove just pull the pins, or fold it up and out of the way
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I will remove post and go counsel myself now...............
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I will remove post and go counsel myself now...............
Don't be too hard on yourself ;-))
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I will remove post and go counsel myself now...............
Now that's funny right there.
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I went down and cataloged all the problem areas to archive and start to come up with a plan to repair
It won't be all that difficult, although for a couple areas, I think I'll call in a professional welder and heavy equip. repair guy
First up is the access door to the front side of the cooler stack-up. Plan here is first to see if I can score a good used one. If not, then I'll simply remove this one, bang it out flat with a rubber mallet, cut off the bottom rust and weld in a piece of fresh steel, grind, prime and paint
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As for the decals...dunno
Plan one would be to paint it back stock and get a decal kit for $200 and paste those shiny things right back on
Alternate plan involves some OD green paint
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Fluids have been topped up, but still not pressure washed
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There is a slow drip here. Tighten or replace packing if there is one
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This is the dented portion of the boom. I don't see doing anything to this area except to watch it over time
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This is a mess. Its the hydraulic bucket coupler. I may just cap that off and remove the coupler and just attach the bucket directly to the dipper stick...
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This hard line clamp has come loose. Reinstall rubber gasket and retighten and that's done. As for the lines hanging loose above, after cleaning I'll inspect. If there is any question, I'll pull all of them and have a hydraulics shop make up new ones
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This cylinder is wet here, so this one will likely be pulled during the winter and rebuilt
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This is the worst problem I found.
The unit struck a bridge underside. There is obvious damage to the pin mount on the right side. I'll have to consult a welder, but it seems appropriate to get a new section of steel, cut the old boss off, and weld on a new one. I'll work the unit as is and see if there is any trouble developing. That will set the timeframe for repair. Immediate to mid winterish
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That impact destroyed a rigid line which was repaired. Another line was replaced in part with the two flex lines you see. There is a drip-drip-drip coming from the connection. I am thinking a tightening may fix that.
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I think the cab either swung into an obstacle bending this up, or possibly with the additional length of the bucket coupler, the bucket curl may have gotten into the cab..?
Anyway, I think this is a scar. Worthy of a fresh coat of paint, but not of straightening.
What say ye? Paint and call it a day, or lavish on the body work, cracking the lower glass and losing a week digging time in the process?
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Were I you, I'd spray some paint on it to slow any rust and wait until you break that glass to think about straightening the cab area! That "worst" area that you identified would be an area to have a single piece cut to order and have a professional welder replace it. During that repair, I'd have the same welder look at the torqued bucket arm that struck the overpass for possible reinforcement as well. From what little I've seen of it from the photos, lateral force (smacking rocks & trees sideways) would be where I'd be cautious - obviously, the seller would be a great source of info on that area, I'd suspect.
I can see Household 6 going after the "shoot house" when you get it to the hide with it - she had that gleam in her eye sitting at the controls!
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Use it and abuse it. Work out the bugs and make a list for winter. That's what I would do.
...Did the previous owner have the last name of Harward ?
(I haven't been fired lately)
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Use it and abuse it. Work out the bugs and make a list for winter. That's what I would do.
...Did the previous owner have the last name of Harward ?
(I haven't been fired lately)
:likebutton:
I'm with Ken, use it and see what the problems are.
I see nothing screaming fix me now, save for the overpass damage.
However, it will become self evident if it is in fact structurally sound or not.
The cab, fogetaboutit...until you break he glass.
Then you can fix it.
The oil weeps, a few hours digging will determine how bad the really are.
Oil comes from the ground...
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Ditto. Fix the obvious and slow the rust.
I would look at getting that area around the glassed tight.
Mount a pair of 30s on the boom,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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So you bought an Excavator, and have decried that is shall be named "Chief" and expect it to do work.. Now I might have been a lowly grunt, but EVERY Warrant Officer ever seen (reportedly there are Warrants in most duty stations) in the Military avoid work at all costs... so by Military logic you'll get Chief to the farm, and it will soon disappear due to some reason or another... only to re-appear after work has been completed.
Hmmmm...
Hadn't considered that...
Chief is the name, has to be
The dump truck will be called "The General" so that pretty much covers everything
Already named the computer "LT" because it always gives me bad information
Named my DR-650, "Captn" because it thinks it is much larger and more capable. Had an angry dog named "Major" once, but I shot it because it was so mean! I refer to the kids as my privates...No body knows what a corporal is, and all the sergeant ranks just confuse and seem to repeat themselves.
Chief, like the Warrant Ossifer, is different...very different. But I had forgotten that skirten' all the hard work thing...
Or you could do like Obummer and just get rid of all ranks and let it Identify with whatever rank (name) it likes.
Oh. I would use and abuse <---- that's a given and create a winter to do list as suggested.
Looks like a great find and I'm sure you will keep it in fuel!
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Had a conversation about the boom damage
Word I am getting is to just put it into production!
He did echo Mike's comments on the lateral force thing. The mechanic who did repairs said that he cut out the welds where the damage took place and laid down some heavy new welds. He has repaired many a boom, and quite a few on Kobelcos. He said if it started moving, He'd suggest plating over it with some 1" material and call it a day.
He does not, however think it is going to move any, but recommended I fold up the boom and check that area every night after working it.
He found an old repair on the dipper stick where a weld had cracked. He said the repair was poor, so he cut all of that out and laid in new welds.
As of now, it is still scheduled to ship tomorrow morning. I should have it farmside tomorrow sometime.
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Looking forward to the CARREP & CARREP-EXT
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Looking forward to the CARREP & CARREP-EXT
I should get in to destroying stuff tomorrow!
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[I should get in to destroying stuff tomorrow!
Sounds like fun!! :likebutton:
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Now that's the right way to start the week!!!! (As long as the carnage is in the intended direction)
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Well let's hope Don doesn't get carried away.
https://farmfarmer.tumblr.com/post/161348612333
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In the areas you are concerned about movement, Use a marker or paint pen and put a tell tale on it. Then you will have an indicator if you have any movement at all. You would be surprised how long you can operate a piece of "deadlined" equipment.
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Well let's hope Don doesn't get carried away.
https://farmfarmer.tumblr.com/post/161348612333
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Point of note there.
These machines will 'float' on sketchy stuff...
Then they sink like a brick.
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So you bought an Excavator, and have decried that is shall be named "Chief" and expect it to do work.. Now I might have been a lowly grunt, but EVERY Warrant Officer ever seen (reportedly there are Warrants in most duty stations) in the Military avoid work at all costs... so by Military logic you'll get Chief to the farm, and it will soon disappear due to some reason or another... only to re-appear after work has been completed.
I'm still laughing at this one Bobby :likebutton:
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I'm still laughing at this one Bobby :likebutton:
Can't help it if it's true.
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Well it's there!
A very nice truck driver dropped it off around 1300. The boys and I poured 15 gallons of diesel into the fill cap and away I went.
I found it has a "turtle mode" and a "Rabbit mode." Really does...A switch is marked turtle and rabbit. It moves maybe a mile an hour in turtle and maybe 4 mph in rabbit mode.
I drove down the lane and wrecked four trees just because i could. Then I came up to my gate. A gate that is probably 8-9 feet wide. The tracks on this thing are 12 feet wide. So, screw it, I just plowed over the west side and crushed it flat. Made a pleasing sound.
It is pretty quiet and the air conditioning is great.
I maneuvered down to the little pond and started tearing the thing up. I put maybe three hours on the machine. In that three hours I pulled all the trees off the hill except for two that I might want to save. I dug the original pond three feet deeper. I then doubled the size of the pond, and started building up a whole new berm to enlarge the thing. When it is all said and done, that pond will be at least five times bigger if not more that that. It is just a utility pond so it doesn't need to be all too big.
But check this out. Remember those baby goldfish and Koi I put in there last fall? Well they survived! And they are way mo bigger. One koi is maybe 5 inches long and one looks the size of a small bluegill.
I took lots of pics with my new Canon camera. Lots of pics with no SD card installed...
So tomorrow when i go back down I'll photo the thing up and I guess the pics of chief arriving on the trailer are just lost.
It still has a couple small leaks or seeps in the hydraulics, but it is really not so bad. I plan to work it tomorrow and finish that new pond build
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Funny, I just watched that video about a week ago.
Don, what do we have to do so you have a working camera? Like this is the first time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Doesn't the camera flash at you and say "no SD card"??
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Doesn't the camera flash at you and say "no SD card"??
Why would a warning message slow down a heli pilot?
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Thre is usually a setting in the menu that asks if you want to allow shooting without card. Change that to "no". Problem solved.
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"I drove down the lane and wrecked four trees just because i could. Then I came up to my gate. A gate that is probably 8-9 feet wide. The tracks on this thing are 12 feet wide. So, screw it, I just plowed over the west side and crushed it flat. Made a pleasing sound."
Well, now one should be able to get a trailer down the lane without too much pucker factor! That WAS a nice fence post you took out with the tracks if I remember correctly! Well, now you can build a fancy wrought iron gate to replace it!
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Doesn't the camera flash at you and say "no SD card"??
Yep sure does!
My son noticed it doing that late in the day!
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"I drove down the lane and wrecked four trees just because i could. Then I came up to my gate. A gate that is probably 8-9 feet wide. The tracks on this thing are 12 feet wide. So, screw it, I just plowed over the west side and crushed it flat. Made a pleasing sound."
Well, now one should be able to get a trailer down the lane without too much pucker factor! That WAS a nice fence post you took out with the tracks if I remember correctly! Well, now you can build a fancy wrought iron gate to replace it!
It was the one on the right
No matter, will be all healed up in a jiffy!
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Thre is usually a setting in the menu that asks if you want to allow shooting without card. Change that to "no". Problem solved.
Copy!
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Doesn't the camera flash at you and say "no SD card"??
Yep sure does!
My son noticed it doing that late in the day!
Well then... In the timeless words of Homer Simpson... D'OH!
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I think the cab either swung into an obstacle bending this up, or possibly with the additional length of the bucket coupler, the bucket curl may have gotten into the cab..?
Anyway, I think this is a scar. Worthy of a fresh coat of paint, but not of straightening.
What say ye? Paint and call it a day, or lavish on the body work, cracking the lower glass and losing a week digging time in the process?
Probably grabbed a log wrong. It happend to my brother once. A big branch came through that bottom pane of glass. He about lost a foot.
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(http://i.imgur.com/MiB8O6t.jpg)
Upgrade the Hydrolics?
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(http://i.imgur.com/MiB8O6t.jpg)
Upgrade the Hydrolics?
Don't give him any ideas!
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Well, in the past three days I have run 40-50 gallons of diesel through the exhaust, trading all that smoke for a pretty big hole.
Remember that little mud hole I created when Sarge broke through some gooey mud and the hole started to fill?
Well that all has changed drastically
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OK, back to all things Chief
It has this cool locking gas cap
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Then I went on a fluid level check
The engine was exactly on full with the freshly changed oil, which was still clean.
I found the hydraulics tank to be low, so I topped that up. Before opening the tank, you have to relieve pressure with this button. THen you unbolt the return filter cap and pour the fresh oil in there. I added 4 gallons to put it in the middle of the normal range with the boom in the "Maintenance position."
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All in all it was in pretty good shape. Despite pressure washing all the compartments were still filthy. I think I'll start spraying in some simple green and let it soak for while then see what I can wipe off, I don't want to get too close to the expensive sensors
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^^^ All that is about to get treated to some fresh enamel paint
Next I went after leaks. The leaks on the cylinders have disappeared...as in not leaking anymore!
But the hydraulic bucket coupler hose was loose almost everywhere. I fixed that by disconnecting it and just looping a single hose from supply back to return. That almost fixed the worse leak on the machine
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^^^That was the before pics. I wiped that down, rerouted the hoses and ran it. The area was just a tad moist, no drips.
I ran 40+ gallons of fuel through it digging that big hole and after two days and all that digging the fluid level remained in the middle of the sight glass.
I plan to go over all the connections, replacing questionable lines and all the "O" rings I can find. I want it leak free, although having flown Chinooks, I know the reality of that dream!
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ok folks, all non chief posts have been moved to the hide site thread. you may continue posting in this thread
don or anybody that I moved a post for, did I miss anything?
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I think I could stick with this forum for just the tractors. I am jealous, ever since I was a little boy I wanted to just play in the dirt with the tractors
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Right now, I am thinking of starting a new forum, called the BTP
(Broken Tractor Place) :shocked: :cry:
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Probably should start using the proper equipment for the challenge, I mean job to do...
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Note to Don:
"Every hammer is a tool; NOT every tool is a hammer!"
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Probably should start using the proper equipment for the challenge, I mean job to do...
I guess that's why the brush guard on my blazer is slightly bent. When does a tree go from being brush to being a tree? :undecided:
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Ahhh, ya know, it just proves these machines are not idols to me.
The Lord, I care about, but apparently, these machines, well, like I said, they are not idols! :-)
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Don, you now have just about every piece of ground clearing equipment you need. Choose wisely and just maybe the stuff will hold up a bit longer. Now that you can widen the entrance road, buy gravel delivered. Much cheaper than trying to maintain a dump truck.
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Don, you now have just about every piece of ground clearing equipment you need. Choose wisely and just maybe the stuff will hold up a bit longer. Now that you can widen the entrance road, buy gravel delivered. Much cheaper than trying to maintain a dump truck.
*cough*D6*cough*
:popcorn:
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Well his loader isn't a 6, but it will push some dirt.
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Did something else happen D ?
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Don, you now have just about every piece of ground clearing equipment you need. Choose wisely and just maybe the stuff will hold up a bit longer. Now that you can widen the entrance road, buy gravel delivered. Much cheaper than trying to maintain a dump truck.
*cough*D6*cough*
:popcorn:
90 HP high flow compact track skid steer...
Maybe that Kubota SV-95...
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Chief has been sitting for about 10 days and I am happy to report that no new leaks have showed up!
I am accumulating some of the stuff I will need to clean/paint it. First up will be a soaking with a good detergent to sofen the grease/oil deposits. I picked up a cheap 2 gallon sprayer. I plan to spray the oily areas after use for a week or so, then wipe the residue out, then follow that with a light hosing off. I just want to get it clean so I can check for leaks and start the sanding/repairs prior to painting.
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Chief has been working well. But as with most things mechanical, it is always getting ready to break down, is broken down, or is being repaired. For the most part it is one working machine.
I stopped excavation of the main pond, pending repair of Sarge which I use to move the dirt about which Chief oh so readily creates. So I used it to clear off about a quarter-half acre of trees around an old pond. Then I mucked out said pond producing mountains of gooey gray mud which I suspect is nutrient rich. Either that or it is solidified DDT and Uranium waste, but I'm willing to take a chance.
I will spread it out on the fields once it dries out some and I have the means to actually spread it out.
So the hydraulic bucket coupler seems to be a problem area. It will leak sometimes, and sometimes the lines loosen. I recently had all new fittings made up. I'll be installing them next
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First I replaced the troublesome hydraulic swivel fittings which cost $100 each with a simpler arrangement. First for the basic flat face O-Ring fitting
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I then attached new lines with 90 degree fittings which completed the installation. The new setup loosened once when i first started using it, then settled down and is A-OK now.
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That little leak ate up some ten gallons of the hydraulic oil that cost me $83 to top up
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An then I discovered this
GRRRRRRRRRRRR................
I guess my fuel cap screwed itself off somewhere along the way
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Amongst my 55 other open and on-going projects, I still want to slap a new coat of paint onto Chief.
Today I sprayed some degreaser onto its innards and underards, on the dog, and in my eyes. The concept it to just leave the whole thing open to nature and let the rain wash it after the degreaser works for awhile. I'll come back and clean the litter that softens up and repeat, then finally either pressure wash it or bring in a professional heavy equipment cleaning crew. Following that will be sanding, then painting.
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The red circled area is a bit of a problem. It obviously needs to be straightened out, but the problem is that the steel if fairly thick, so it's going to be a tad bit of work. After cleaning around some I started to loosen the hinge bolts, but ran into a stubborn nut, so instead of risking breaking it off, I'll let some penetrating oil do its thing for awhile.
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The batteries were dead again, so I decided to just purchase new ones and baseline that part of the electrical system. Those things are really...REALLY heavy!
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Sanding you ask?
How?? Me??
Answer: Hungry high school kids!
Bring em down to the farm, give em a sander, limit their food until night and pay them $8 an hour. Cell phones do not work all that well, so we will all just sand away, well they will. I'll do repairs, then I'll feed them at night, then offer them a cot in the upstairs of the shed, then repeat the following day. That should get it and them thoroughly done and get me ready for some fresh paint.
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Don, instead of trying to straighten that metal why not cut it out. Have some shop fab up a straight section & weld back in place? I mean, Ken mig welds outside so it can be done however unadviseable it might be to do so......
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Don, instead of trying to straighten that metal why not cut it out. Have some shop fab up a straight section & weld back in place? I mean, Ken mig welds outside so it can be done however unadviseable it might be to do so......
My friend, that is exactly what I am going to do.
Since it is rounded, I think, I'll go buy a section of .125 wall 4" pipe, then cut a quarter round out of it, cut the bad piece out, then weld in the new section.
Cause me to purchase a new welder...Can anyone say Don's gonna get a gas powered stick welder???
The repair of the door is basically the same thing. I plan to straighten it, then cut out the majority of the bent sheet, then weld a section of 11 gage over the whole surface, with another section of quarter round cut from a pipe onto the top. Add some cooling holes and a M4 mount and 30 round magazine storage and I'm G-T-G
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HEY BIG D, IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR SERIAL NUMBER I CAN ORDER YOU THE CHANNEL TO REPLACE THE DENTED ONE.
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HEY BIG D, IF YOU GIVE ME YOUR SERIAL NUMBER I CAN ORDER YOU THE CHANNEL TO REPLACE THE DENTED ONE.
Larry!
OK SK-250 LC LL08-V0386
But don't order it before I know how much it costs. Also, while were at it, I went out looking for a good used door. All I found was a new old stock one costing $850! You know of anything better?
Frankly, I think repairing the old one would be simple enough, but of course, I'd like to get the machine in as good shape as possible.
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Think we were all thinking the same thing here about the repair (at least not to burn it down). Chief is a healthy rig and should look better.
Maybe put a small solar panel on it for those new batteries?
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Oven cleaner works pretty good, if you plan on just letting it sit and soak.
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Larry, Got your message, but was down farmside for two days. Call you first of the week!
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OK, so today, I pressure washed the machine for the first time
It took a couple of hours, and the previously applied grease cutter had some effect, but not enough
So
This will be the first stage of a two stage washing
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THis is a 2001 machine, and it hasn't always been garage kept!
(Joke there...Get it...These machines get parked in mud pits for decades, they won't even fit into a garage)
I'm messin' with ya!
Geeze!
Anyway after allowing the grease cutter to soak in for a week, it had actually dried to a crust about 30 minutes after I applied it and had no additional effect!
But look at how this battery compartment transitioned:
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Then I allowed that to air dry for most of a sunny and 73F day, then coated it heavily with lizard skin to control that rust.
You know, normally I may replace that rusty metal, but, with Chief, I think not. I think I'll just do what I can with it, then move on. I want this machine to produce. I think prepping the battery compartment against future rust/corrosion with a sealer is good, but going further is not a wise use of my available time
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Oh Great, IPPRID (I-Phone pics rotational instability disorder)!
I despise technology
Anyone else with me?
Who thinks its fair to have a hunting season on software designers?
Not talking about a 6 bag limit or anything like that, just one or two a day, with a limit of say, 10!
Fair? I think so...
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There is a reason
CARREP: Apparently, and I checked my Cannon owners manual, but the camera is not designed for pressure washing it would appear.
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About half the water I sprayed was blasting right back into my face. A large amount of that spray carried leaves, grease, blobs of mud, sticks, mice nests, about everything. My vision was not as clear through my grease covered Oakleys as I would have preferred. I got to working on this stubborn batch of dirt and twigs which was later revealed to actually be a rather expensive Cannon SLR...
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New, batteries:
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Resting peacefully:
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Um what is that rack hanging below the battery? Is that a ladder that used to help you climb?
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The utility compartment cleaned up nicely. It also houses the air filter.
I sealed the rusty floor, then added back the rubber matt
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Um what is that rack hanging below the battery? Is that a ladder that used to help you climb?
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Just a foot step to help you climb up to preflight the engine prior to using, and to refuel the thing. It came prebent, so I didn't need to! ;-))
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Um what is that rack hanging below the battery? Is that a ladder that used to help you climb?
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Just a foot step to help you climb up to preflight the engine prior to using, and to refuel the thing. It came prebent, so I didn't need to! ;-))
Luckily for you if it hadn’t then you probably have just torn it off altogether. I mean why do things half way? :popcorn:
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Everything else came out pretty nice, ridding the thing of a decade or two of junk! I'm leaving most of the insides unpainted (I think) And will concentrate on all the dented panels and missing paint and rust everywhere else.
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Um what is that rack hanging below the battery? Is that a ladder that used to help you climb?
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Just a foot step to help you climb up to preflight the engine prior to using, and to refuel the thing. It came prebent, so I didn't need to! ;-))
Luckily for you if it hadn’t then you probably have just torn it off altogether. I mean why do things half way? :popcorn:
True!
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So what size motor runs that big monster?
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So what size motor runs that big monster?
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a 5.9 Liter Mitsubishi industrial diesel. I think 176 HP
http://www.ritchiespecs.com/specification?category=Hydraulic%20Excavator&make=KOBELCO&model=sk250lc&modelid=92593
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Copy
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There is a reason
CARREP: Apparently, and I checked my Cannon owners manual, but the camera is not designed for pressure washing it would appear.
LOL
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There is a reason
CARREP: Apparently, and I checked my Cannon owners manual, but the camera is not designed for pressure washing it would appear.
LOL
It's still all broke down
No kamera
Doesn't hurt me as much as you knuckleheads. I just take the pics, then you boneheads spend all night long lookin at em'
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That's why I just use my phone now.
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Picked up the new line, $155 for a 50" piece of hose with ends, but all in all, I'd say that's OK. I plan to cut the bad end off that separated from what looks like a fairly recent Gates hose that failed. Maybe it was just a bad crimp job, but the hose was pulling out of the fitting, and had not failed at all, just a bad crimp job.
The lines going outward on top of the boom are all crooked and twisted, just poor repair work at some time. I think I'll disconnect all that and put it together correctly.
As you can see most of the lines are in good condition. When these machines are living in production by multiple operators, no one really cares and goes about slamming the booms and dipper-sticks and buckets into everything often resulting in torn off lines. I have babied the thing and will continue to do so as time is not money with me. I think a heavy duty machine like this one can live indefinitely in a low use farm setting like mine. Anyway, I'll do my part and keep it serviced and hope for full usage even into my son's time after I leave the earth.