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I bought this a couple of years agofor 2G's. everything works, though it does have a few minor problems with the truck itself. I have been slowly going through everything on it. i.e. brakes, tires, fuel system, etc.. I plan to take the crane off shortly, and re-cable it, and sandblast and paint it, etc.. I also have a different bed I am going to put under it while I have it off.
Does anyone here know anything about this outfit? It's on a '84 GMC chassis, but I'm sure it's a lot older than that. Heck, one of you here may have owned the ol' dog once. The tag on it simply says "Baldwin Ward Mfg. Ottawa KS.".
I've searched the net from top to bottom and back, and can't find a thing on it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Dave.
-------------------- Dave Utter D-utterguy on chat Sign Designs Beardstown, Il. signdesigns@casscomm.com Posts: 777 | From: beardstown, illinois, usa | Registered: Mar 1999
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Dave judging from some of the cuts on some of the steel work I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't "home built" I had one similar years ago...a 30 footer all hand crank. It looked factory but I knew the guy that owned it and he said a friend of his built it himself.
We used a lot of Hand crankers all the way into the 60's...my shop had a 45 that was hand crank and it was a Skyhook.
My bet is it's from around the late 50's early 60's (prior to that most boom lifts were of a screw type...(not hydraulic)altho that could have been "up dated".
Nothing wrong with "crankers" just as long as you don't over load them and miss the "dog" on the whinch...a buddy of mine did and it cost him a broken jaw, several chipped teeth and knocked out a couple of others...that hand crank makes a nunchuck look like a childs toy when it gets loose.
A lot of crane manufactures have come and gone over the years...your quest may be a futile one.
It's fun to see some of the working "relics" still going...no offence intended :)since I too am becoming a relic of sorts.
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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I re-read your post and surfed with "jeeves" and couldn't locate that manufacturer in Ottawa Kansas.
It's possible tho that some other company bought them up why not contact Skyhook (arizona) or Wilke Crane (Oklahoma City) maybe they would know...never know someone may have as much fun trying to figure it out as I did.
But alas an hour of non productive surfing is enuff!
Good luck!
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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Baldwin Ward made the SKYHOOK and SPONCO cranes...Ottawa Kansas under the name Pheonix Sales 913-242-1584. I had a 1971 that is the same as yours except for the radial lift hinge (older than 70's), a damn fine rig. Looking at the pedestal, and power lift unit (electric over hyd.)? the hand crank set-up and the Baldwin-Ward tag, you have a SKYHOOK. When I bought mine in 84' I wrote the company and they sent me a complete service and use guide, decals and warning labels all for free!
Radocy,(Ohio) and Wilkie, (Oklahoma) cranes were distinctivly different.
2 things I would highly recommend:
A second battery, marine deep cycle, with a on off switch for the lift unit. And outriggers if you don't have any.
Keep the workings greased and covered and wd-40 the cable when you replace it. Have fun and play safe!..... mabe find a users guide and learn the hand signals when working with someone.
[ September 20, 2003, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Stephen Faulkner ]
-------------------- "No excuses!.... No regrets!..."
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thanks guys. Stephen, I think you hit the nail on the head. I went to their website, and if you look at the truck on the bottom left of this page web page the truck is even the same vintage as mine. it looks like an '84 jimmy. I realize my crane is older than that, but I think these people will be able to help out. thanks again!
-------------------- Dave Utter D-utterguy on chat Sign Designs Beardstown, Il. signdesigns@casscomm.com Posts: 777 | From: beardstown, illinois, usa | Registered: Mar 1999
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that's a skyhook for sure. I guess a early 70's model. it has a lift capacity of about a 1000 pounds max. the only crane builder that used screw lifts was garland. they disapeared in the early 80's but there's a ton of their cranes still around. fix that old girl up and re-cable her; she'll make you money. I'd recommend a crane safety course if it's available in your area. if not the ISA has some great books and video's.
-------------------- Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. but what do I know anyway...I've only been doing this for 20 years! Posts: 368 | From: Dresden, Ont.,CAN | Registered: May 1999
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I have a 1963 model 35' hand cranked. We recently converted it to electric/hydraulic raise, but the rotate and load line is still hand cranked. That is one sweet little work horse. It is mounted on a 16' trailer with outriggers on the rear.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Wow Dave...it's really scary how things happen around here sometimes...
I came in to the shop this morning and there was an August 2003 "Signs of the Times" laying on my desk...I sat down...opened it coincidently to page 119 and at the very top of that page is an article titled...ARIEL EQUIPMENT Then goes on to say..."Phoenix Corp. (Ottawa Kansas) is un veiling its Skyhoist RX102...etc.
Find the mag and check it out it comes complete with phone numbers and e-mail addy's
Kewl huh?...wooo...eeee....ooooo
[ September 22, 2003, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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thanks to you guys, I'm calling phoenix today and see what I have, or if they can help me. I'll let you know the results.
Bill, your Slappy Hooper story about getting paint to stick to air would work here.........If you can just throw a stripe over the rust holes it would be great!!!! Man, I wish it were that easy. I am going to try to get a fresh coat of paint on her and get her all lettered up.
And, yes you are all right in saying they are old workhorses. I've used it on several bigger jobs, and I would not have wanted to have done them without it. The first job I did basically paid for the truck.
to be continued........................
-------------------- Dave Utter D-utterguy on chat Sign Designs Beardstown, Il. signdesigns@casscomm.com Posts: 777 | From: beardstown, illinois, usa | Registered: Mar 1999
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