What did you do WITH your Ranger today?

[subquark]

Well I've been trying this local brand, but they work for few months and then come apart.



And then I'm back to just old normal ones.

I think the self-retracting are nice and convenient, but for heavier and more frequent use, a standard ratchet strap is superiors simply due to fewer parts.

As for stainless, I "assume" they will last longer but that's only if every bit of them are stainless. A standard steel spring, or steel component, would defeat the longevity of the stainless.

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[subquark]

Looks like George @subquark Washington ran out of things to take to the dump. Now no one’s trees are safe!

And now, no one's bushes are either!

Just got the 7' Leaf Burrito and I've been using those M12 pruners like mad over the last month.

It'll hold 3/4 yard of mulch, so I figure it'll hold 4 bagfuls from the Billy Goat and that will be over 200 pounds.

Perfect for the receiver hitch crane!

Man, life's golden! =D

 

[Fordup]

And now, no one's bushes are either!

Just got the 7' Leaf Burrito and I've been using those M12 pruners like mad over the last month.

It'll hold 3/4 yard of mulch, so I figure it'll hold 4 bagfuls from the Billy Goat and that will be over 200 pounds.

Perfect for the receiver hitch crane!

Man, life's golden! =D

You need one of these to hook the burrito corners to for the crane

My crane will be here tomorrow. I bought one of the $199 ones on ebay and hope it's not junk. It's all your fault ?.

 

[subquark]

You need one of these to hook the burrito corners to for the crane

My crane will be here tomorrow. I bought one of the $199 ones on ebay and hope it's not junk. It's all your fault ?.

That's a nifty shackle with the twist - that looks like it would be better than a regular one.

Now I need to find a stainless steel one!

Good job on scoring that crane, I hope it fits your needs. Of course, we'll need pics! =)

 

[Fordup]

That's a nifty shackle with the twist - that looks like it would be better than a regular one.

Now I need to find a stainless steel one!

Good job on scoring that crane, I hope it fits your needs. Of course, we'll need pics! =)

Well I got what I paid for . Fedex managed to poke some holes in the box but everything was there

It all almost went together. Fits the hitch and truck nice but they supplied cotter pins for all the pins and many have to be removed when setting up to use. Luckily I have a box of the spring clips

Then I hit a wall. The jack bottom clevis wouldn't fit over the bracket welded to the frame because of a big taper in the casting.

Threw the jack in my milling machine and straightened the taper some

Everything is good now and it will work fine. Going to put one more hole in the support tube so the jack can be left in place, slid to the center and pinned while driving. I doubt it's safe for 1000 pounds but handles 200 lbs fine.

 

[subquark]

Well I got what I paid for . Fedex managed to poke some holes in the box but everything was there

It all almost went together. Fits the hitch and truck nice but they supplied cotter pins for all the pins and many have to be removed when setting up to use. Luckily I have a box of the spring clips

Then I hit a wall. The jack bottom clevis wouldn't fit over the bracket welded to the frame because of a big taper in the casting.

Threw the jack in my milling machine and straightened the taper some

Everything is good now and it will work fine. Going to put one more hole in the support tube so the jack can be left in place, slid to the center and pinned while driving. I doubt it's safe for 1000 pounds but handles 200 lbs fine.

It looks great and I like that color.

I also like the clevis pins, instead of the bolts I have.

And good thing you have the skills and tools, far better than an angle grinder I would have grabbed.

For mine, I'd like to alter the hoist chain with maybe a grab hook or some way to alter the length.

I look forward to hearing any mods you might do and congrats on your great deal!

 

[subquark]

The crane! Now in real use. When I first got it, I lifted an electric Toro snow thrower in the driveway and it did fine, but that wasn't real-world use.

Today I picked up a 350-pound lawn aerator (Classen CA-18H) and that was a bit of a different experience.

I placed the crane in the receiver and assembled it except for the stabilizing legs and drove to the rental place (only a mile away with 25 mph speed limit). It stayed in place without any issues.

When I lowered the tailgate, I had the crane slid toward the hitch about a quarter of an inch too much and nicked the paint! Bah! But I guess being an aluminum tailgate, it's not a huge deal. Still though, I'm going to get a Race Red Ford paint pen.

A friend was with me (he actually paid for the rental) and the two of us were like a pair of monkeys with a football trying to rig the medieval torture device (the aerator, I had never used one and holy crap, what a heavy bucking beast!). I'm sure we were good entertainment for the rental guys! =D

We got it in the bed, left some load on the crane, and tossed on a 2" ratchet strap (left the tailgate open). As we started to pull out, a rental guy comes running out the door yelling: "you left the effing legs down!" =p

So a quick pull of a few pins and off we went - LOL, those rental guys are alright in my books (and we returned the diabolical machine with a full tank of gas as a small thank you).

I did two things as "mods" to the crane. First, I used a smaller shackle to take up some chain slack, I think that's a good enough solution for my needs. As you can see in the pics, it lifted the thing plenty high enough.

The second thing I did was wrap electrical tape on the crane base so I would not slip in in too far again.

All in all, I like the crane and even if we had pulled out the removable weights (2x36#) from the aerator, it would have still been too heavy for this old fart. =D

back home with the infernal thing

I unloaded by myself on a pretty level spot and it always felt in control

plenty of lift height for this use

you can see how close it has to be to the crane because of the boom length, especially when lowered down

d'oh! nicked it! =(

didn't have a paint pen, so used 3M vinyl electrical tape, maybe I'll used the paint pen when I get it =)

3/8" shackle taking up chain slack, not the most ideal I suppose but rated to 1300# in optimal use, if you know of something better suited, let me know (not that I need much reason to buy something!) =D

crane FTW! Aerator not so much!
little girl neighbor commented that the dirt plugs looked like a whole lot of poo! LOL, that made it all worthwhile! =D

 

[KNI]

The crane! Now in real use. When I first got it, I lifted an electric Toro snow thrower in the driveway and it did fine, but that wasn't real-world use.

Today I picked up a 350-pound lawn aerator (Classen CA-18H) and that was a bit of a different experience.

I placed the crane in the receiver and assembled it except for the stabilizing legs and drove to the rental place (only a mile away with 25 mph speed limit). It stayed in place without any issues.

When I lowered the tailgate, I had the crane slid toward the hitch about a quarter of an inch too much and nicked the paint! Bah! But I guess being an aluminum tailgate, it's not a huge deal. Still though, I'm going to get a Race Red Ford paint pen.

A friend was with me (he actually paid for the rental) and the two of us were like a pair of monkeys with a football trying to rig the medieval torture device (the aerator, I had never used one and holy crap, what a heavy bucking beast!). I'm sure we were good entertainment for the rental guys! =D

We got it in the bed, left some load on the crane, and tossed on a 2" ratchet strap (left the tailgate open). As we started to pull out, a rental guy comes running out the door yelling: "you left the effing legs down!" =p

So a quick pull of a few pins and off we went - LOL, those rental guys are alright in my books (and we returned the diabolical machine with a full tank of gas as a small thank you).

I did two things as "mods" to the crane. First, I used a smaller shackle to take up some chain slack, I think that's a good enough solution for my needs. As you can see in the pics, it lifted the thing plenty high enough.

The second thing I did was wrap electrical tape on the crane base so I would not slip in in too far again.

All in all, I like the crane and even if we had pulled out the removable weights (2x36#) from the aerator, it would have still been too heavy for this old fart. =D

back home with the infernal thing

I unloaded by myself on a pretty level spot and it always felt in control

plenty of lift height for this use

you can see how close it has to be to the crane because of the boom length, especially when lowered down

d'oh! nicked it! =(

didn't have a paint pen, so used 3M vinyl electrical tape, maybe I'll used the paint pen when I get it =)

3/8" shackle taking up chain slack, not the most ideal I suppose but rated to 1300# in optimal use, if you know of something better suited, let me know (not that I need much reason to buy something!) =D

crane FTW! Aerator not so much!
little girl neighbor commented that the dirt plugs looked like a whole lot of poo! LOL, that made it all worthwhile! =D

So that actually works... Been looking for a Hiab, but those weight as much as the loading capacity and might be best to put on Iveco or similar pickup.

 

[Doc]

The crane! Now in real use. When I first got it, I lifted an electric Toro snow thrower in the driveway and it did fine, but that wasn't real-world use.

Today I picked up a 350-pound lawn aerator (Classen CA-18H) and that was a bit of a different experience.

I placed the crane in the receiver and assembled it except for the stabilizing legs and drove to the rental place (only a mile away with 25 mph speed limit). It stayed in place without any issues.

When I lowered the tailgate, I had the crane slid toward the hitch about a quarter of an inch too much and nicked the paint! Bah! But I guess being an aluminum tailgate, it's not a huge deal. Still though, I'm going to get a Race Red Ford paint pen.

A friend was with me (he actually paid for the rental) and the two of us were like a pair of monkeys with a football trying to rig the medieval torture device (the aerator, I had never used one and holy crap, what a heavy bucking beast!). I'm sure we were good entertainment for the rental guys! =D

We got it in the bed, left some load on the crane, and tossed on a 2" ratchet strap (left the tailgate open). As we started to pull out, a rental guy comes running out the door yelling: "you left the effing legs down!" =p

So a quick pull of a few pins and off we went - LOL, those rental guys are alright in my books (and we returned the diabolical machine with a full tank of gas as a small thank you).

I did two things as "mods" to the crane. First, I used a smaller shackle to take up some chain slack, I think that's a good enough solution for my needs. As you can see in the pics, it lifted the thing plenty high enough.

The second thing I did was wrap electrical tape on the crane base so I would not slip in in too far again.

All in all, I like the crane and even if we had pulled out the removable weights (2x36#) from the aerator, it would have still been too heavy for this old fart. =D

back home with the infernal thing

I unloaded by myself on a pretty level spot and it always felt in control

plenty of lift height for this use

you can see how close it has to be to the crane because of the boom length, especially when lowered down

d'oh! nicked it! =(

didn't have a paint pen, so used 3M vinyl electrical tape, maybe I'll used the paint pen when I get it =)

3/8" shackle taking up chain slack, not the most ideal I suppose but rated to 1300# in optimal use, if you know of something better suited, let me know (not that I need much reason to buy something!) =D

crane FTW! Aerator not so much!
little girl neighbor commented that the dirt plugs looked like a whole lot of poo! LOL, that made it all worthwhile! =D

ikk

The crane! Now in real use. When I first got it, I lifted an electric Toro snow thrower in the driveway and it did fine, but that wasn't real-world use.

Today I picked up a 350-pound lawn aerator (Classen CA-18H) and that was a bit of a different experience.

I placed the crane in the receiver and assembled it except for the stabilizing legs and drove to the rental place (only a mile away with 25 mph speed limit). It stayed in place without any issues.

When I lowered the tailgate, I had the crane slid toward the hitch about a quarter of an inch too much and nicked the paint! Bah! But I guess being an aluminum tailgate, it's not a huge deal. Still though, I'm going to get a Race Red Ford paint pen.

A friend was with me (he actually paid for the rental) and the two of us were like a pair of monkeys with a football trying to rig the medieval torture device (the aerator, I had never used one and holy crap, what a heavy bucking beast!). I'm sure we were good entertainment for the rental guys! =D

We got it in the bed, left some load on the crane, and tossed on a 2" ratchet strap (left the tailgate open). As we started to pull out, a rental guy comes running out the door yelling: "you left the effing legs down!" =p

So a quick pull of a few pins and off we went - LOL, those rental guys are alright in my books (and we returned the diabolical machine with a full tank of gas as a small thank you).

I did two things as "mods" to the crane. First, I used a smaller shackle to take up some chain slack, I think that's a good enough solution for my needs. As you can see in the pics, it lifted the thing plenty high enough.

The second thing I did was wrap electrical tape on the crane base so I would not slip in in too far again.

All in all, I like the crane and even if we had pulled out the removable weights (2x36#) from the aerator, it would have still been too heavy for this old fart. =D

back home with the infernal thing

I unloaded by myself on a pretty level spot and it always felt in control

plenty of lift height for this use

you can see how close it has to be to the crane because of the boom length, especially when lowered down

d'oh! nicked it! =(

didn't have a paint pen, so used 3M vinyl electrical tape, maybe I'll used the paint pen when I get it =)

3/8" shackle taking up chain slack, not the most ideal I suppose but rated to 1300# in optimal use, if you know of something better suited, let me know (not that I need much reason to buy something!) =D

crane FTW! Aerator not so much!
little girl neighbor commented that the dirt plugs looked like a whole lot of poo! LOL, that made it all worthwhile! =D

Soupies Dad is a millionaire…..

 

[Fordup]

The crane! Now in real use. When I first got it, I lifted an electric Toro snow thrower in the driveway and it did fine, but that wasn't real-world use.

Today I picked up a 350-pound lawn aerator (Classen CA-18H) and that was a bit of a different experience.

I placed the crane in the receiver and assembled it except for the stabilizing legs and drove to the rental place (only a mile away with 25 mph speed limit). It stayed in place without any issues.

When I lowered the tailgate, I had the crane slid toward the hitch about a quarter of an inch too much and nicked the paint! Bah! But I guess being an aluminum tailgate, it's not a huge deal. Still though, I'm going to get a Race Red Ford paint pen.

A friend was with me (he actually paid for the rental) and the two of us were like a pair of monkeys with a football trying to rig the medieval torture device (the aerator, I had never used one and holy crap, what a heavy bucking beast!). I'm sure we were good entertainment for the rental guys! =D

We got it in the bed, left some load on the crane, and tossed on a 2" ratchet strap (left the tailgate open). As we started to pull out, a rental guy comes running out the door yelling: "you left the effing legs down!" =p

So a quick pull of a few pins and off we went - LOL, those rental guys are alright in my books (and we returned the diabolical machine with a full tank of gas as a small thank you).

I did two things as "mods" to the crane. First, I used a smaller shackle to take up some chain slack, I think that's a good enough solution for my needs. As you can see in the pics, it lifted the thing plenty high enough.

The second thing I did was wrap electrical tape on the crane base so I would not slip in in too far again.

All in all, I like the crane and even if we had pulled out the removable weights (2x36#) from the aerator, it would have still been too heavy for this old fart. =D

back home with the infernal thing

I unloaded by myself on a pretty level spot and it always felt in control

plenty of lift height for this use

you can see how close it has to be to the crane because of the boom length, especially when lowered down

d'oh! nicked it! =(

didn't have a paint pen, so used 3M vinyl electrical tape, maybe I'll used the paint pen when I get it =)

3/8" shackle taking up chain slack, not the most ideal I suppose but rated to 1300# in optimal use, if you know of something better suited, let me know (not that I need much reason to buy something!) =D

crane FTW! Aerator not so much!
little girl neighbor commented that the dirt plugs looked like a whole lot of poo! LOL, that made it all worthwhile! =D

I did a couple mods to mine. Drilled a hole for the travel position

Then welded on some hooks to lock everything in position for going down the road.

Then grabbed the chain adjuster plate I machined for my tractor

and will test it out next week. I need to cut a 3 ft piece of chain to replace the stubby that came with it

Not bad for cheap Chinesium

 

[subquark]

I did a couple mods to mine. Drilled a hole for the travel position

Then welded on some hooks to lock everything in position for going down the road.

Then grabbed the chain adjuster plate I machined for my tractor

and will test it out next week. I need to cut a 3 ft piece of chain to replace the stubby that came with it

Not bad for cheap Chinesium

Fantastic mods! And I really like your chain adjuster plate, that's brillinat!

The welded-on hook loop is ingenious and with your transport position, I think that would be highway worthy. =)

I don't have enough amps in the garage for my welder (and I haven't welded in over 20 years) but I might need to do your loop/hook mod in the basement! =)

Thanks for sharing - gonna need a Ford Ranger crane section on this forum!

Edit: I just noticed that yours uses a hitch pin for the side-to-side adjustment while mine are two bolts with jam nuts. I may drill mine to do the same and then I certainly won't nick the tailgate any more.

 

[Fordup]

Fantastic mods! And I really like your chain adjuster plate, that's brillinat!

The welded-on hook loop is ingenious and with your transport position, I think that would be highway worthy. =)

I don't have enough amps in the garage for my welder (and I haven't welded in over 20 years) but I might need to do your loop/hook mod in the basement! =)

Thanks for sharing - gonna need a Ford Ranger crane section on this forum!

Edit: I just noticed that yours uses a hitch pin for the side-to-side adjustment while mine are two bolts with jam nuts. I may drill mine to do the same and then I certainly won't nick the tailgate any more.

Yours is stronger without the holes but even a small 1/4 inch pin would be a good safety measure for going down the road. Mine uses a pin on the swivel for locking rotation and is limited to holes located every 30 degrees on the mount plate. Before deciding to bend up and weld on hooks I tried a axle strap used for tying cars to trailers to see if it would remove wiggle so something like that may be easier for you. Just a 2 inch wide by about 18 inches long strap with steel loops at each end. Mine has a 8 ton jack that sucks. Each pump moves it very little. I may switch it to 4 ton I have laying around for faster operation. I can see yours is much better made probably from thicker wall steel but mine is just for 200 pound propane tank loading so it should survive. Making a harness to clip on the tanks next to make it easy to get them from vertical to horizontal.

 

[bsr956]

Thursday - Saturday, I deployed with NC Baptist On Mission for Disaster Recovery in northwestern NC. My team helped cleaning out mud & debris in 3 homes and a community center to be used as an assistance distribution location. The devastation is unbelievable, what is shown on TV doesn't do it justice. Every creek/river has vehicles, farm equipment, trailers, home debris, things that don't belong there. Roads are washed out, bridges are gone. The was one complete bridge - steel beams asphalt and guard rails sitting in a field that had washed away from a road upstream. That being said, the people joining together to help each other was amazing. Spoke with 1 guy, on his 3rd trip out from the community center, that said "I don't have power, just a little water but I have gas and a truck to get help to neighbors that can't get here". The center director was hoping to have about 100 people there Saturday to help, my guess is over 200 was there. It was great to see everyone banding together to do what needed to be done. I can't wait to go back to do what I can to help. It really changes your perspective on things.

 

[LaBalbe]

Thursday - Saturday, I deployed with NC Baptist On Mission for Disaster Recovery in northwestern NC. My team helped cleaning out mud & debris in 3 homes and a community center to be used as an assistance distribution location. The devastation is unbelievable, what is shown on TV doesn't do it justice. Every creek/river has vehicles, farm equipment, trailers, home debris, things that don't belong there. Roads are washed out, bridges are gone. The was one complete bridge - steel beams asphalt and guard rails sitting in a field that had washed away from a road upstream. That being said, the people joining together to help each other was amazing. Spoke with 1 guy, on his 3rd trip out from the community center, that said "I don't have power, just a little water but I have gas and a truck to get help to neighbors that can't get here". The center director was hoping to have about 100 people there Saturday to help, my guess is over 200 was there. It was great to see everyone banding together to do what needed to be done. I can't wait to go back to do what I can to help. It really changes your perspective on things.

I have a lot of friends up in the impacted area, so thank you for helping out. If it wasn't so far, I'd be chipping in on the weekends, too.

 

[bsr956]

I have a lot of friends up in the impacted area, so thank you for helping out. If it wasn't so far, I'd be chipping in on the weekends, too.

Prayers and thoughts go a looong way. Personally, I wasn't prepared to the emotional toil it took on me, I can't imagine what the people that lost everything are going through. Seeing the relief on their faces makes it worth what little tiny bit of discomfort I have to deal with.

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