questions and comments on stabilizers

[Rasputin]

I am looking for comments on how to make good looking stabilizing jacks for this problematic repair train (17 inch picture)


This is what i came up with after seeing Tim's fire rescue truck . (15 inch picture)

The train car also has a problem of tipping front-wards when there is a heavy load on the hook so i may need to design a 5th jack

[Gepetto]

Hello Rasputin,

Two things come to mind regarding your stabilizers:  1) Have you thought of having them come out at a 45 degree angle instead of 90 degrees? That way you would have better forward stabilization, perhaps they could be extending legs. 2) Perhaps some flat plate counterweights on the back of the crane would keep it from tipping, although this would add weight and probably throw the balance of the car off when the boom is not extended.

Just a couple of thoughts, very nice car by the way.



Gepetto

[Bill Blackhurst]

Hi Rasputin!
Have you looked at the stabilizers that are used on the crane in the Mega Construction set 4084 on PlaymoDB? They're adjustable, & very long if you could modify them to work on that flat car! Check it out. You may have to have one of our European Playmofriends order the parts for you if you think they will work!
Bill

[Little Jo]

What about keeping the stabilizer as "optical detail" and hiding some heavy weight (iron, lead, etc.) inside the chasis/crane base so the train won't skip anymore?

[Tim_w]

Hello Rasputin ,

Thank you for the mention . I might be able to offer a few suggestions for your crane. I was/have been interested in railways both real and model for quite a long time now. Unfortunately Playmobil railway's are slightly too big for the space i have (at the moment ). Infact i gave up on my OO guage railway because i couldn't make it big enough for my needs .
When it comes down to the matter of breakdown cranes i do believe they use a good amount of ballast weight as well as stabilizers to counter the weight lifted by the jib. Most of the large breakdown cranes have very heavy chassis that keep them on the rails as well as counter weights on the back end of the turn table. All this is well and good but as you quite rightly suggest they need a very decent set of stabilisers as well. These will extend straight out and then would be lowered down as required. Add a very substantial amount of spreader plates and packing and you have a decent base to mount any lifting operation. It is worth considering that the cranes often operate in limited spaces either in cuttings or on embankments. This means the stabilisers have to be simple but robust, so they don't take up much space. It all depends on how big your going though. If your making a permanent way crane for lifting track sections and concrete drainage channels then you could get away without using stabilisers (just add counter weight). If your going brakedown/re-railing then your going to need a good combination of decent stabilisers and counter weight.
If i was making one myself i would either go with a custom built set based on the 3761 Crane stabilisers depending on the size. The set that Bill suggests would be more practical as they extend out further. Thinking about it and to tell you the truth if i was making one myself i would probably cannibalise a couple of 3262 Electronic Cranes and make a heavy duty chassis . It would be up towards the 200t lifting range though . Then there would be the opportunity to make a couple of match trucks to support the jib and a few carriages to carry all the equipment associated with it. This is where your wooden packing and spreader plates would be stored along with all manner of chains, rope, tools and re-railing equipment.

I hope this helps you in your quest! Infact you have got me thinking now about this now

Tim  

[playmofire]

That's a very impressive breakdown crane, Rasputin, and a neat idea for stabilisers.  I'd agree that the solution to tippoing forward is ballast or weight of some sort at the rear of the truck.  There is a nice space there which could take the large silver box, http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-24-5930, with its lid, http://playmodb.org/cgi-bin/showpart.pl?partnum=30-24-5940.  This could be loaded with a suitable weight while looking like a tool box.

There are also a number of Playmobil weights which might be suitable, either by themselves or in the above "toolbox", if they will fit.  So as not to swamp this post with links, here are some part numbers:

30 06 5540; 30 22 5320; 30 26 7640; 30 89 3262.