"Ignoramus15251" wrote in message
...
On 2012-02-05, Jim Wilkins wrote:
Mine has tipped over a few times at its original 9' max height.

I recommend not ever moving anything that is suspended well above
ground level.

My procedure was, put a crane in place, back under a crane, lift the
load, get the truck out, lower it down (preferably on boards placed
across feet), then move the crane.

I almost tipped the crane once, also.
i

I used the crane that way as a trailer to haul a half-ton boulder out back
into the woods. Straddle it, lift it, slide in planks and lower. Larger
wheels turn them into nice self-loading utility trailers. They are top-heavy
when empty, though.

My mast-end caster and trailer tongue:
https://picasaweb.google.com/KB1DAL/...51034176921634
The coupler is on the end of the wood handle.

A coupler rigidly attached to the base would work better for towing because
I could back it up and the tractor's weight would counterbalance the load on
the extended boom. I still need the long wood caster-steering handle to
maneuver it manually though, and both need to occupy the same space.

The problem is when only the crane can move, like erecting a timber frame,
pulling the engine from a wheel-less wrecked car or moving the raised deck
away from an above-ground pool. It's difficult to keep the wheels on planks
that rest on uneven ground.

I dropped a Weld-and-Power because the driver parked bumper to a tree to
leave maneuvering room behind, and it swung when we pulled hard enough to
start my crane rolling on the gravel. It didn't drop far, but afterwards he
listened to me.

jsw