Stick Boom verses K-boom Maintenance

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I constant source of trouble for me on my stick booms was snagging the ATB cable on tree branchs and other low hanging obstructions. It will then jump off the spring wound reel and confuse the load computer, as that is how it knows how much boom you have out. I fixed that by going with a wireless ATB and a wireless load sensor.

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A smart solution to a real problem on stick booms Courierguy.

Is it battery powered or does it use a 12V power cord?

jomoco

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Its battery powered, we've had our 38 tonner for 2.5 years and never had to change them, but from the voice of experience its a good idea to build a guard around the ATB antenna.
 
Sorry treedimensional, maintenance on stick booms is minor. It all depends on how abusive you are to the unit. For us it's winter salt that eats the underside of the truck. Unfortunately the stabilizers hang low and take a pounding. Anything above the bed just gets grease and inspecting.
 
How does the wear on the boom slides compare? Are the pads of a K-boom oversized to compensate for extension and retraction of the boom for moving loads? What kind of cost is it to R/R boom slide pads on the styles of anti-gravity machines?

Sorry Jamin, I thought this might be the kind of info you were after.
 
Wow. I make a post in the morning and come back to a debate of something completely different.
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But, Brent was along the tracks I was looking for. I am wondering about how often the extensions are greased, inspections, etc...

And how many hours for a complete overhaul. It is correct that a crane needs to be completely overhauled after 10,000 hours?
 
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I'm replacing the wire on my crane today after seven years of use.

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Cameron, have you considered Amsteel for a replacement cable? Or, would it be too much money? And would it cause problems on the spool?
 
Never thought about it. Anyone try it? Figured since I got seven years out of the previos wire I would stay with the same stuff.
 
We switched on out chipper winch and I didn't like it because it didn't spool good at all. Then when you put pressure the rope sucked into the layers below and you had to pull it out. Not sure if that would be the same with the crane but I could see it causing problems and not lasting as long.
 
I can see those type of problems with Amsteel. I merely thought it would be a nice replacement for it'd die electric properties and weight to strength ratio.

So, where's the K-boom guys on this subject anyway?
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I just got my main boom cylinder worked on (22 ton Manitex), it had a small seep coming out of the end seal. It didn't creep down at all and worked perfect. Long story short, for fixing it and a similar seep in an outrigger cylinder was $7500.00. It was extra due to several complications, but I ended up with as good as new cylinders.

I am always amazed how little maintenance there is on a straightboom, the truck/carrier is more of a maintenance hog, at least it has a lot more zerts to hit when the time comes, not to mention oil changes etc. My Kubota tractor has more grease points then my crane!

Attached: one of my recent jobs, more important the access road to get there.
 
Working.

Very little maintanance so far on my k-boom Jamin.

I just grease the boom 2 to 3 times a year. Keep the boom extenstions nice an slimmy. (sucks when I bump up against it though, or a climbing rope).

changed the hydr. filter at first 50 hrs. then, next is/or was at 500hrs or 1000hrs. don't remember off the top of my head.

I took it in this summer and had the crane installation company fix a few bugs, one under waranty. And I told them to look over every single thing and adjust the brass rubbing bolts and they said it was time to re-torque the main "turrent" bolts.

i got it in like summer fall of 2007 right? so, it's been two years now and have used it a whole lot.

if you have auxilary hydrolic hoses out to the end of the boom, they get in the way. i came up with an idea of more quick connectors and wrapping them back to the last spool, so they aren't out there when not using them. I have them stored that way right now, but haven't gotten the right connectors yet. I just need about 2 hours or so to get it right.

When originally shopping for a k-boom to order, this crane company sells many makes, but they said that once they starting selling Palfinger a few years ago, they see very little of them ever come back for maintanance.

i saw this post a few days ago, but didn't have time to respond, and i actually dont' have time now, but i did anyway.
 
I know from experience that Knuckleboom maintenance varies vastly depending on brandname. My 2 EFFER brand cranes have held up amazingly well. I don't baby them, but i don't abuse them either. The 55ton has never had any major parts needed. Used everyday and about once every 3-4mo you get a small leak (pipe, hose, or O-ring, etc.) The 175 ton had to have the 2nd knuckle lift cyl rebuilt when i bought it. I've had both of them extremely busy all this year with no worries. The slide pads for the ext cyls on both show NO WEAR After 6 yrs. My old 30 ton k-boom (different brand)1994 had great radio remote, but the thing was a maintenance NIGHTMARE! (Plastic slide pads, cyls rebuilt monthly etc,etc) When things slow down I'll post some more stuff/photos! Glad to see all my bro's on here doing well! (I've been lurking in once in a while)
 
Thanks Mike and David. Good responses.

What would require the most maintenance? Stick or K-boom? Or, will it come down to too many variables with what brand is being compared?
 
Jamin I am glad you posted this question!! I may jump on and use the info as well!!
Do you mind if we expand the question to A matter of application? Which would be more versitile? or would you rather I start a new thread?
 
The maintenance on our booms is fairly simple. We have 2 auto greasers one upper one lower, we fill them as needed. We grease the boom sections 2 to 3 times per year as needed. Takes about 6 man hours.
 
Sorry I didnt repond sooner. I grease my boom about once a month and the pivot points a little more often. It could be stretched out a little more probably. The only other issues I see are wires and the energy chain which the hydraulic hoses and wires go in and out on. If you arent careful a branch can hit them and they come apart. They pop right back together. If you dont see it they can break when retracting the boom(I did this once). But as long as you pay attention not a problem.
I have had a couple pipes leak as mentioned by Mike. All hoses and fittings are readily available.I have a computer in the truck so I can diagnose a problem if it occurs. I had 1 angle sensor get wet and short out. There was a crack in the outer cover of it.
Other than that I think they all compare as far as maintenance. As in vehicles someone could get a bad one but with the price of them I think the dealer would take care of it. That would be my reccommendation if buying any piece of equipment. Make sure the dealer is as good if not better than the piece of equipment.
 
Thats pretty much the same as our maintenance schedule, grease pivot points 1-2 times a week and the boom monthly, changed the oil in the winch last winter which most K-booms wouldn't have to worry about.

We have had a few problems that have been major maintenace though, last summer one of the bearings went in one of the extension sheaves and last winter the rotation drive was making excessive noise so we changed it for a new one. In bothe cases Manitex supplied the parts, but we had to do the dirty work.
 
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