Bruce Hansen’s Cranes & Derricks

Bruce Hansen’s Caterpillar Crane

Bruce Hansen writes: This Caterpillar Crane was built from a 1950 12 1/2 set. The action is forward/reverse model movement via a P55 motor/treads, rotating cab by hand and raise/lower a load by hand crank. An O pawl ratchets against a CJ 36 tooth gear attached to the crank to keep the load in place. The crane boom is static as designed in the manual. The cab rotates about the base on a typical BN turret pair. The P55 motor is mounted upside down under the model base and moves the crane along at about 3 inches/second.

Bruce Hansen’s Crawler Derrick

Bruce Hansen writes: This Crawler Derrick model was built from a 1950 #12 1/2 set. A P55 motor raises/lowers the payload. A crank is used to manually raise and lower the boom. The treads are not powered; the model is pushed to move it. Also, the cab rotates on turret plates.

Bruce Hansen’s Derrick with Clamshell

Bruce Hansen writes: This is a Derrick with Clamshell Bucket built from a 1956-62 12 1/2 set. The clamshell bucket is raised and lowered by the motor. The crane boom is manually raised/lowered with a crank. The cab rotates about the base and is driven manually.

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