| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
M Diesel 
Silver Level
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Points: 128
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: Need info about this grader please
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 6:33pm |
Hi all,
I'm here with hat in hand, seeking information about this AC grader. I didn't have a lot of time to examine it when we stopped, and a lot of stuff on it has been painted over so information is kinda sparse.
The bad news is that the engine is supposed to be "troubled". The good news is that this thing could be arranged to be mine for free if I want it. The other bad news is, it's mine if I want it. We all know there's no such thing as a free puppy. Appears to have a 3-71 engine and no hydraulics anywhere.
Can anyone tell me anything about it?
Thank, Gary M
This is my first at time trying pictures so so bare with me. I'm not having as much success as I'd like. uploads/2519/AC_grader_1.JPG
|
 |
|
Sponsored Links
|
|
|
omahagreg
Orange Level Access
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Points: 2805
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 7:30pm |
|
All I know for sure is it is abit too large for most trailers-LOL!
|
|
Greg Kroeker
1950 WD with wide front and Freeman trip loader
|
|
DMiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31558
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 8:01pm |
|
We had a beast like this at the first garage I worked for, hand clutch gear drives for the blade and axle controls. They required a heavy hand in and out to keep from ratcheting and beating a bruise on your palm. Very strong grader and a workhorse as is the 3-71 DD. If you can get it moved and have a purpose for it it would definitely be worth the "Free" tag.
|
|
Calvin Schmidt
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Ontario Can.
Points: 4526
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 8:23pm |
|
Depending on the year the grader is either an AD, AD3, or AD30. They were built from 1941 until 1955 when the grader became a model 45 with the A-C/Buda engine.
|
|
Nothing is impossible if it is properly financed
|
|
Claus
Orange Level
Joined: 09 Dec 2009
Location: Hebron In
Points: 1152
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 8:45pm |
|
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 41687
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 21 Jul 2010 at 8:48pm |
All mechanical , lift turn , lean. Similar to my Adams 411. Yes the gear drive on the levers will beat the heck out of you if not held in .. But they do a great job of grading and are not that hard to run once you figure out which lever is which.
Ran mine for several years befor parking out back , and before it spent 20 years grading a dirt short track for stock car raceing at Stillwater Speedway in MN.
|
|
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
|
|
dadsdozerhd5b
Orange Level
Joined: 27 Sep 2009
Location: lansdale pa.
Points: 529
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 7:04am |
|
yours definately has a detroit, not sure if it is 3- or 4-71. count the exhaust ports or the access plates on the side opposite the blower. the second pic has a 4-71. i think i would have to get it for "free".
|
|
HD5B, HD5G, (2) FARMALL A's, CUB. DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, IGNORE THE LAUGHTER. FLANNEL IS ALWAYS IN STYLE.
|
|
M Diesel
Silver Level
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Points: 128
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 4:37pm |
Cool stuff, thanks guys. It is certainly a 3 cylinder.
Funny about the track grading, I want to do the same. Problem for us is in having a much longer track so I am concerned that it will be under powered for what we wish to do with it. It doesn't need to do heavy cutting for the most part, but it does need to cover 1 or 2 hundred miles at least 3 times a year. Being able to hold a fair speed is therefore important and I'm concerned it doesn't have the ponies to do that. We currently rent a big fancy thing, and the expense is a serious hindrance. Like most forms of racing, expenses have to be kept under control. This grader may be an answer, but I don't want to stick my neck out and say it is okay and put a lot of effort into fixing it up only to find it too small for the task. The plus is that it could be left out in the desert for the most part without a lot of risk. Personally, I want it, but it still has to be effective. And reliable. It would spend most of it's working life at least 20 miles from pavement of any kind.
Saying all that, it looks like the "45" has a desirable upgrade with a 4-71. This one looks like it could easily be adapted to a 4-71, perhaps with the exception of the power shaft that runs everything. The shaft is powered by the engine with 3 V belts, and would need extended further rearward to match the longer engine.
Some extra pics, cause everybody likes pictures. :)
|
|
DMiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31558
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 5:39pm |
|
You will be pleasantly surprised at the power a 3-71 puts out when it is running well, the added cylinder of a 4-71 will not be needed. Detroits' make HP off high engine speed, keep it wound up and it will deliver fine.
|
|
Breeze
Orange Level
Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Ga
Points: 8931
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 22 Jul 2010 at 6:57pm |
|
Price doesnt sound bad for the beast, I'd take it even if it only sat out in the yard as an ornament.
|
|
DMiller
Orange Level Access
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Location: Hermann, Mo
Points: 31558
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 9:59am |
|
I would be after it even if it was a junker as the engine can be sold(also fits other equipment) and the remainder either parted out or cut up for (cough, gag) scrap. Sorriest thing to do with a working machine is leave it sit til it cannot work again then let it rot away for no benefit to anyone.
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 41687
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 10:14am |
That 3-71 is around 75 HP and the 4-71 would be 100/125.
My old Adams has a UD14, IH engine and might make all of 50 HP, but will pull along 14' blade of dirt fine for grading. In fact when you get good with manual controls you can dig rocks out of ground using tip of blade, turn circle , and raise and lower control.
Roading it is a all day affair as going long distance but old graders were made to work and not speed from job to job.
Just bring a thermos and a lunch on trip to your track . Your road speed would be same with 3 or 4 -71 as RPM would be 1800 to 2100 on either and HP needed in high road gear would not be max.
Edited by Coke-in-MN - 23 Jul 2010 at 10:15am
|
|
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
|
|
M Diesel
Silver Level
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Points: 128
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 12:32pm |
Just for scale, the tracks we use are 75 to 550 miles each. We don't have to do all of the miles every time, but it is getting to be that way. It used to be simpler. Nowadays we find and use an old mining road and then afterward we are supposed to "rehab" it. It was perfectly fine as an old gnarly rocky two tracker for the last 80 years, but now it can't have any bumps in it after we have gone by. Aren't beaurocrats bureaucrats wonderful?
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that being able to reach 4 to 5 mph on a consistent basis would be acceptable situation, but if 1.5 to 2 is more the norm then I have to rethink this. And I'm not sure it has the gears to support the speeds I would like to use. And for road speed, I need all I can get, but suspect it probably is in the 10 to 12 range? Loading it up for 5 or 10 miles would sure get old fast.
I like that thought on digging out rocks as that is an ongoing problem I would like to address over the upcoming years.
Lastly, if I actually had a parking space for it, it would have a home. :) As it is, it's 300 miles away and as stated above, it needs a trailer way bigger than I have lol. Just hauling it out of there is likely a $1000 option. I do have friends in the area though so something could be worked out. Hmm.
BTW, that 14 is closer to 75 unless it hasn't been eating it's Wheaties. (I have several gas starts myself, but not a 14.) I like your slogan too, mine is similar. Young people are smart, and old people know what not to do.
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 41687
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 23 Jul 2010 at 10:12pm |
Road speed should be above where you stated, Grading speed would depend on how much you are moving as far as material depth and number of passes you make .Supprising how much grader will move and how fast material can be shaped.
For 300 mile trip , better pack a big lunch though.
|
|
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
|
|
M Diesel
Silver Level
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Points: 128
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 1:39pm |
Hmm. Think it might make 15 mph? I'm still looking for specs somewhere, like a brochure or the like. Manuals can be had, but are a little pricey when seeking basic information. One concern is that is has terrible visibility. No windows at all in the lower part of the cab. Being a total novice grader pilot, I'm not real big on the braille method.
Yeah it takes a big whompin lunch box lol. Usually getting to the nearest town is over 40 miles. It really ticks you off to leave something out of the tool kit.
Edited by M Diesel - 26 Jul 2010 at 1:40pm
|
|
Coke-in-MN
Orange Level Access
Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Afton MN
Points: 41687
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 26 Jul 2010 at 2:49pm |
|
You will find you are standing more than sitting while grading, your visibility is at blade ends which you see with doors open . You will be busy with levers and wheel and changing which hand is doing what to worry about lunch while blade is engaged in material.
|
|
Faith isn't a jump in the dark. It is a walk in the light. Faith is not guessing; it is knowing something.
"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."
|
|
