Rolling Cradle for Removing Engine?

HB of CJ · April 07, 2016, 02:36:12 PM

Will the tranny come out with the engine? Consider renting a properly rated HD engine hoist? Chains not cables. Big bolts. Also consider a firm concrete surface for the hoist to roll back on. Positive mechanical assistance.

Also a winch to pull back the engine hoist. Or ... a firm surface for the hoist or perhaps jack but some way to safely move the Bus Conversion away from the engine assembly which would stay still and let the bus move forward.

Perhaps also assisted with a winch? Chock blocks? Big heavy stuff. Think safety. Go slow. Have the proper tools and attitude. Most of all sing songs and have fun doing this. Psycho drama works well with this fun stuff.

Paso One · April 07, 2016, 04:08:40 PM

I am presently installing my cradle back into the bus and I would not be wanting to install this on anything but a concrete floor.
You may be able to remove it, on plywood but IMHO you would be losing all maneuver ability on a softer surface.

Oonrahnjay · April 08, 2016, 07:10:00 AM

Quote from: HB of CJ on April 07, 2016, 02:36:12 PM... Big heavy stuff. Think safety. Go slow. Have the proper tools and attitude. Most of all sing songs and have fun doing this. Psycho drama works well with this fun stuff. ...

Yep, thinking safety all the time.

luvrbus · April 08, 2016, 07:26:21 AM

BTDT on the side of the road with a GM a sheet of 1 inch floor decking will hold up with pallet jack as long as it is level and flat I bought a couple of bags of sand at the same time to level the area fwiw.

I do like my concrete floors better you are not as limited

Dave5Cs · April 08, 2016, 08:43:53 AM

And a piece of steel plate on top of the plywood, Maybe plant a nice umbrella tree for shade as you work. Not to tall just right and maybe have coffee delivered every hour to keep up the mind set and I'm with HB with the music as well as non slippery shoes in Beige possibly.

Dave5cs

luvrbus · April 08, 2016, 08:48:28 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 08, 2016, 08:43:53 AM
And a piece of steel plate on top of the plywood, Maybe plant a nice umbrella tree for shade as you work. Not to tall just right and maybe have coffee delivered every hour to keep up the mind set and I'm with HB with the music as well as non slippery shoes in Beige possibly.
Dave5cs

At some point the coffee stops on to bigger and better drinks

Lostranger · April 08, 2016, 09:04:57 AM

Sure sounds like a party. Why don't all of you stop by (bring whatever tools you like), and I'll supply the beverages of choice.

Jim

Lostranger · April 11, 2016, 04:58:36 AM

So.... I'm reading the factory service manual, and it shows a drawing of the engine removal cradle Gillig sells. It looks remarkably like what I had in mind building when I started this thread. Even has the scissor lift that I envisioned, and it has much more reach than any pallet jack.

Since the bus will be blocked up, extra lift would be a good thing. I'm back to thinking that building a rolling cradle is the way to go. The Gillig drawing is clear enough to give me something to work with, and the engine will be securely bolted to it.

luvrbus · April 11, 2016, 06:12:43 AM

I didn't have a problem rolling a series 40 with a b400 with a pallet jack when I replaced the number 5 piston,less than 2 hours to roll it out. You better go to HD and buy a couple of the $6 -9 gal mortar mix tubs to catch the fluids they are a lot better than 5 gal buckets

Lostranger · April 11, 2016, 01:41:17 PM

Here are the two drawings of the rolling engine removal cradle in Gillig's shop manual:

I do believe that building one of these will be a little more trouble but not much more expense than a good pallet jack for which I would still need to build an engine/transmission cradle. Also, I would not have to find a pallet jack with long forks.

Jim

luvrbus · April 11, 2016, 02:12:56 PM

That looks almost identical to one of the older OTC engine dolly,I haven't seen those for sale in quite awhile now. A pallet jack with 48 in forks will do the job for you easy enough the engine is only 44 inches long and weighs 1400 lbs that is 500 lbs more than the b400 so balance is not a issue, rent you one by the month they rent cheap at HD

good luck

Oonrahnjay · April 11, 2016, 02:58:40 PM

Quote from: Lostranger on April 11, 2016, 01:41:17 PM
Here are the two drawings of the rolling engine removal cradle in Gillig's shop manual:

I do believe that building one of these will be a little more trouble but not much more expense than a good pallet jack for which I would still need to build an engine/transmission cradle. Also, I would not have to find a pallet jack with long forks.

Jim

That sure looks like what I'm gonna need here in a few weeks. For my bus, I have a BIG firewall mod to do to allow the Allison to go in so I thought I'd fit the transmission alone, then bolt the two together and do the final install as the unit of the trans and engine.

eagle19952 · April 11, 2016, 03:30:20 PM

If a $50. pallet jack was available welding to it would be my choice...I would consider renting one and welding some of that structure to it...me and my milwaukee grinder could return it in better condition than recieved

luvrbus · April 11, 2016, 03:34:05 PM

I don't weld to my jack I use channel on top of the forks and weld to channel,the way I see it is how many times are you going to use the cradle hopefully only once

Dave5Cs · April 11, 2016, 04:04:01 PM

I believe Jim just wants a new toy but I may be wrong, I was once!...

Dave5Cs