Wrecker wishlist of mods

[zebedee]

How "in the name of Sam Hill" would you ever pull those anchor pins OUT of the ground, after driving them in?!

Actually, since they are hexagonal in section, you put a spare pin through the eye or a crow bar etc., turn it around a couple of times and they should pull right out (they turn a bigger hole in the ground than the across flats dimension) - but yes, if you have to, lift them all straight up with the crane.

 

[Csm Davis]

View attachment 800609

Fresh in off the boat from Australia via CA. Cast ground anchors, pins and shackles. Need to locate 6 more shackles to complete these 5 sets, then get the remaining 3 sets that I have located in the UK shipped over.

Not exactly a "5 Ton Mod" as all RAEME M816's carried 8 sets of ground anchors, but the stowage of the anchors was loose in the bed or locker. I 'll be fab'ing a lift crate that will stow in the passenger side locker, that can carry all 8 plates and 64 pins. Then they can be picked out by the crane and dropped on the ground and similarly returned without all that 'hand balling'. Don't want to scuff the new paint too much - when it gets done eh!

I had considered some kind of bracket behind the front bumper - a-la the British army's AEC Matador wrecker of the '60's, would be good counter weight, but I think that space will be utilised for the Australian water Jerry cans I have also acquired.

NB. Earlier US wreckers had ground anchors (different type) as Bii but somehow that got dropped. Still seen in the -22 manual.

What is the scrambled mess of links in the lefthand corner of the picture?

 

[zebedee]

What is the scrambled mess of links in the lefthand corner of the picture?

ah - that be tyre chains for one of the tractors that hasn't gotten put away since the last big snow a few weeks ago!

 

[simp5782]

I know we all use our wreckers for lifting and moving stuff but i know when we work alone. The biggest nuisance is having to climb up and down off the wrecker to hook stuff up. This setup of parts below will let you stay on the ground and run your wrecker. This could easily be done on the FMTV wreckers as well with the correct valve setup.

You will need the following parts below to makes your wrecker operate with a wireless remote.

This will allow all functions on the crane to work as if you were in the operators seat. All solenoids and controllers are 12/24v compatible with around a 15amp draw

4 - dsg-01-3c2-d24-7090 Yuken directional valves $125 ea

1 - 4 port D03 valve subplate - surplus center part # 9-4070-4 - $150

4 - wireless winch remote kits from any store really. Or you can go with a Lodar Wireless control system that will allow multiple functions from 1 remote rather than having 4 separate remotes. Prices vary under $50 for the simple wireless remotes for 2 functions or a Traveler 4 function remote from tractor supply.

Lodar 10function setups are pricey at $1300 for all functions on one remote. Or you can shop other options out there. https://www.piercearrowinc.com/prod...gdA3-c87IqxL4rhbeKpnnuvdJUhIv1acaAssnEALw_wcB

1 piece of 1ft aluminum square for mounting the remotes to.

You will have to have some short hoses made. And fittings. Or if you have worn wrecker hoses just replace it all. I suggest mounting the manifold right in front of you on top of the flat area there to minimize the connector hoses you will have to make. Gutting the inside of the station is an option to mount inside the area where the stock manifold is.


The yuken valves will run at a max of 3500psi and 26gpm. With a minimum flow of 15gal per minute. It wont be super fast but it will have mediocre speed. I am not sure of the stock flow on the wrecker pumps since the number for the pump doesn't give any information on the unit flow rate. I run my 816 at idle when using the crane and it seems to work pretty quick for what I do.

 

[Another Ahab]

I know we all use our wreckers for lifting and moving stuff but i know when we work alone. The biggest nuisance is having to climb up and down off the wrecker to hook stuff up.

You will need the following parts below to makes your wrecker operate with a wireless remote.

This will allow all functions on the crane to work as if you were in the operators seat.

Slick.

That's some major investment. But again: VERY slick!

What drove you to do all the homework and shopping to make all this happen?