M543A1 Wrecker Problems

[JMOFF]

Was unloading a very large boiler for my neighbor with my M543A1 when a gear box went out that puts power to the crane. Now its not the gear box that rotates the crane but it just so happens that it was rotated almost around to the 90 degree position when it lost power. Now I have no hydraulic power at all to the crane and I am looking for a way to swing it back to the parked position and retract the boom, which is extended about 5 feet. I was wondering if anyone had run into this problem because I would like to get it straightened out before even getting in to repairing the gear box. Thanks for any ideas ya'll can give me.

 

[Csm Davis]

Not sure on your model but look at the turn table motor and see if it has the drive that comes out the back I believe that you can turn that to manually rotate the crane as to retract the boom I think you are stuck with it out.

 

[zebedee]

.......... as to retract the boom I think you are stuck with it out.

... get a clean oil barrel/buckets, remove the return hose and put over/in buckets (may have to use some pvc pipe to channel it if can't get buckets close enough), crack the supply hose to allow air in, then use a come-a-long to collapse the cylinder/it may return by gravity if the boom is elevated.
You could also do this for the slew motor - don't need a bucket, just some rags or small catch pan as the capacity of the motor isn't that big. Disconnect/plug both hose connections. May take a little effort to slew boom back around. Could tie the end of the boom back to a tree and drive forward slowly and turn as appropriate.

 

[country]

We stock all of the pumps/drives/gear boxes for your M543A2

Dave

Eastern Surplus & Equipment Company
www.easternsurplus.net
Toll Free: 1-855-332-0500
dave@easternsurplus.net

 

[JMOFF]

Thanks for the ideas, probably gonna have to drain all the fluid anyway. I'll be giving you a call when I find whats broke Dave.

 

[AMGeneral]

If it has the proper bed(pics would help) there is a square " external drive" on each hyd motor for the swing and hoist that you can turn with a 12 point socket attached to a impact gun or ratchet.

It will be about 3/4 in diameter and square on the back of each hyd motor,assuming it has the later style motors.

I'll see if I can find a pic and post it.

 

[JMOFF]

I see it now Thanks AM General