Welding Rig Pictures

[Coalsmoke]

However now it looks like most of their models use a hydrualic boom perhaps electric over hydrualic.

That would make good sense, considering that the price of these hydraulic power packs keeps dropping. I wonder if anyone has ever figured out that every vehicle with power steering has a built in hydraulic pump ready for the using. The best part is it already has its own limit system, mind you, the pressures are lower, more like 1500-1700psi, so that's probably why I don't see them being used. It sure beats the cost of plumbing in a wet kit and the occasional use on it wouldn't accelerate the wear too much. Rv, do you know if those cranes run at a standard 3000psi or are they higher than that to minimize cylinder size?

[Rvannatta]

That would make good sense, considering that the price of these hydraulic power packs keeps dropping. I wonder if anyone has ever figured out that every vehicle with power steering has a built in hydraulic pump ready for the using. The best part is it already has its own limit system, mind you, the pressures are lower, more like 1500-1700psi, so that's probably why I don't see them being used. It sure beats the cost of plumbing in a wet kit and the occasional use on it wouldn't accelerate the wear too much. Rv, do you know if those cranes run at a standard 3000psi or are they higher than that to minimize cylinder size?

Besides the safety/liability issues of messing with a steering system the pumps don't move enough oil or have the tank capacity. a power steering system typically holds a quart or so of oil in the tank, whereas the hydraulic system on my service truck holds 10/20 gallons. You need a big tank
because the amount of oil varies quite a lot depending on whether the cylinders are extended or contracted (because of the rod displacement).

Also the volume of oil that is moved is many times more---10-20 GPM.
As for pressure, I doubt they are over 3,000 psi. while I haven't put a pressure guage on them, the pumps used are standard gear pumps and if you are going to a high pressure system like the excavators now use, it takes an exotic pump which comes at an exotic price.

You have similar issues with the air compressor. Any service truck worth its salt has air brakes, but you don't tap the truck air system for the service air because you want a 2 stage compressor with a lot more volume.

Likewise the wet kits have gotten easier to engineer. In times past you had to install a PTO, find a place on the truck frame to hang a pump, and then fabricate a drive line between the two. Now you can buy a PTO with an SAE flange on it and bolt the pump right to the PTO, and the power source usually drives both the crane and a hydraulic drive compressor and can supply hydraulic pressure for other such things as hydraulic impact wrenches or hydraulic chain saws----Utilities use them for brush cutting--ever try to start a gas powered chain saw when you were up in a bucket truck?

[TNredneck]

here is my first truck.im working on the second,hope to have pics of it soon

[MAC702]

What's a .psd file extension mean?

[fun4now]

not a clue but i got enough problems with winXP i dont need to start saving extra crap just to see a pic. maybee he will be nice enough to atach a standerd jpeg then ill have a look see

supose its miller's fault for giveing us soooooo many atachment options

[Bulldog]

I may not have a great welding rig but I think I have the best decals... Checkum out...

[wrench3047]

check this out. Keep in mind I am a Dodge owner twice over. It's new explaination why are attracted to Dodges.

[Bulldog]

Wrench,
I'll never look at a Rams head the same way...
Bulldog

[Rvannatta]

What's a .psd file extension mean?

The file type extension is the type for 'Adobe Photoship'

[fun4now]

Rvannatta

can you change it into a jpeg for us so we can see it ?

[lramberson]

I like your style Bulldog, That is a clean setup, would you mind if I ask for a few more of the back and side shots

[TNredneck]

sorry about the file guys,the pic was to big for the forum.so i had to resize it with adobe,and i dont know how to change it back to a jpeg now.

[TNredneck]

maybe this will work

[Bulldog]

Iramberson,
Thanks man! I'll take some pics and post them tomorrow. The ol truck will be proud that someone has taken some interest. This setup works well for me.
Bulldog

[lramberson]

Always admire a perfectionest, and that is it. Simple, clean, functional and some style to boot. nice set-up.