Insley Crane

[mywheels]

I have a Model K135 Insley dragline crane with a Burro boom. The Crane sat unused for 20 years. My goal is to get it running and find it a new home.

Does anyone know what all of the levers and peddles in the cab do? I watched the YouTube video below, but mine is slightly different due to being an older model. I don't have a picture of the operating controls at the moment, but can get one this weekend.

I'm also interested in finding an Operator's manual and Service manual if anyone knows where to find them.

Thank you!

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

I have a Model K135 Insley dragline crane with a Burro boom. The Crane sat unused for 20 years. My goal is to get it running and find it a new home.

Does anyone know what all of the levers and peddles in the cab do? I watched the YouTube video below, but mine is slightly different due to being an older model. I don't have a picture of the operating controls at the moment, but can get one this weekend.

I'm also interested in finding an Operator's manual and Service manual if anyone knows where to find them.

Thank you!

I was just on the HCEA website a minute ago. They have an archive of manuals, literature, etc. You may want to try there.

Historical Construction Equipment Museum

Mike

 

[Jimever11]

I have a Model K135 Insley dragline crane with a Burro boom. The Crane sat unused for 20 years. My goal is to get it running and find it a new home.

Does anyone know what all of the levers and peddles in the cab do? I watched the YouTube video below, but mine is slightly different due to being an older model. I don't have a picture of the operating controls at the moment, but can get one this weekend.

I'm also interested in finding an Operator's manual and Service manual if anyone knows where to find them.

Thank you!

Way cool! Can't wait to see the pictures.

 

[buzzinduzzin]

on an American Hoist & Derrick 20 ton truck mount the two pedals were for the drum brakes , one lever was boom up & down with a separate lever for a latch , one lever swing & the remaining two levers for the two hoisting drums . on your crane look at drums & see if there are little cylinders that look like one ended hydraulic brake wheel cylinders that expand the inners shoes in the drum , if so then you should find master cylinders ( actuated by the levers ) & last if there is a jackshaft with a drum tied into all the drive stuff you might have power load lowering which is nice for construction have fun

 

[Cash4Toys]

Pedals are brakes. Generally one for the swing function, one for the hoist line and one for the drag line. Swing and travel use the same clutch, one or the other can be "dogged" in or out pending on function required. Boom hoist is also dogged in, does not rely on a brake. Boom hoist function is generally shared with another clutch, unless it has a live Boom option, but not real common on a drag line, more so on a crane designed for hoisting. So the levers are for each clutch, swing & travel, hoist, & drag. Some levers probably for dogging in or out. Later ones used air chambers for dogging, as they used spring / brake chambers, air release, spring for for holding. Steering is also completed by dogging one track off, that is a solid lock is shifted in as the drive lug is disengaged, hence the opposing side drives while the other is stationary. Hope this gives you some idea.

 

[used red MN]

is the engine a gas or diesel, is it free or stuck? A few general pictures of the machine,
main hoist drums and engine would be helpful. I would say if the engine is stuck that just going ahead and finding a salvage yard as its new home will be the most profitable approach. Just my honest opinion. Unless you have a predetermined buyer that is offering an acceptable amount of payment.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I have a Model K135 Insley dragline crane with a Burro boom. The Crane sat unused for 20 years. My goal is to get it running and find it a new home.

Does anyone know what all of the levers and peddles in the cab do? I watched the YouTube video below, but mine is slightly different due to being an older model. I don't have a picture of the operating controls at the moment, but can get one this weekend.

I'm also interested in finding an Operator's manual and Service manual if anyone knows where to find them.

Thank you!

Reminds me of the Insley K12 that I had.
I made a post here when I sold it several years ago. Kinda wish I had kept it but that's all behind me now.
Photo is one I grabbed off the net.

Lightened my load by 13 tons

Breaks my heart to have done it. Had it 15 years but hadn't drove it in nearly 4. Last time I did I walked it a couple hundred yards to where the cab was under a big old maple tree. Was going to was going to use a limb and a rope and pully to put the cab back on. Showed this pretty girl that I...

forums.yesterdaystractors.com

 

[mywheels]

Thank you for all of your responses! Below are some pictures I snagged of the levers and pedals in the cab. Based on the YouTube video I posted above, I wrote my guess as to what each lever and pedal does, on the corresponding part. You may see words written in chalk on some of the items.

The Chrysler 6cylinder engine (25" head) turns over and all valves rotate and lift properly. When I get a little time, I need to diagnose why there's no spark at the plugs. It's 6V positive ground with new 00 gauge cables. Tips and tricks for diagnosing no spark are much appreciated.

Thank you for following along. The Crane is a couple hours from me so I don't get much time to work on it.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I suggest you remove and clean the carburetor as it's likely full of gunk from sitting. Attach a temporary gas tank - from an old lawn tractor or some such so it's getting clean, new fuel. Then check the points. Clean them by swiping a piece of very fine - like 220 grit - sandpaper between them a few times and reset the gap. I'm sure someone here knows the point gap on that old Chrysler and will weigh in.
Clean the plugs and check the plug wires.
Check the oil in the engine and coolant in the radiator and see if it'll run. Once you have it running you might find someone here who can help with the levers. Otherwise do as I did and just start experimenting with them. It did not take long to sort out what lever did what.

 

[used red MN]

I see you put on new wiring and also spark plug wires were the old wires there so you could replace them connecting them to the right cylinders in order? Did you replace the points? Did you at least check the contact condition and make sure the gap is set right? For initial testing on points I use a test light. Of course checking for power at the primary side (small terminals) that comes from the ignition. Then place test probe on the opposite terminal that has the wire going to the distributor points. It should show power there when the points are open and no power when they are closed. When you get that to flash on and off when the points open and close when it is cranking you are 80 percent or better on the way to having a working ignition system. Take an old plug that is fairly clean and open the gap up to 3/16 a 1/4” and sand the to points the spark will jump. Make sure it is grounded good. When you get spark jumping that at the plug wire boots you should be at 90 percent plus to having a working ignition.

 

[mywheels]

Thank you for your help! I'll try these steps when I get back to the Crane in a couple weeks. I replaced the new spark plug wires in the same location as the old ones. I'll verify firing order next time I'm there. I cleaned the points with a point file but haven't had a chance to set the gap yet as I forgot to bring my feeler gauge. The cap was pretty corroded at all contact points so I have a new one on order. I ordered a new set of points and coil also, just in case tests indicate they've failed.
Thank you for following along, and to those sharing advice, thank you for your patience as I'm learning how to diagnose electrical, besides being unfamiliar with 6v positive ground systems.