Winches, mounts, and onboard air

[Netpackrat]

Copper work hardens, which might not be a good idea since it will be subject to more or less constant vibration on the truck. If you want overkill air lines that won't ever fail, have them made up with hydraulic hose and swaged ends. If you initially plumb it with cheap air hose and clamped on pipe fittings, you should be able to take them to a good hydraulic shop to have your lines duplicated using hydraulic hose and fittings.

[blackeagle603]

Aeroquip.

[Netpackrat]

There is Aeroquip stuff besides the professionally crimped hoses and fittings. In A&P school we built hydraulic hoses using the field assemble parts, and then pressure tested them. In addition to the hardware, there are just some simple hand tools needed plus a bench mounted cutoff wheel is best for getting a clean, square end when cutting the hoses to length.

[Aglifter]

You may want to check out ranch hand They're pretty standard around TX -- we've used the heavy replacement bumpers on our ranch trucks for years. (Some of the stuff on the website is obviously created for the yuppie market -- I only knew about the heavy replacement guards for 3/4 and 1 tons, and the heavy bars for half-tons and cars.)

[blackeagle603]

In A&P school we built hydraulic hoses using the field assemble parts, and then pressure tested them. In addition to the hardware, there are just some simple hand tools needed plus a bench mounted cutoff wheel is best for getting a clean, square end when cutting the hoses to length.

Exactly what I was alluding to. Did it first in General. Had to fab a line on my General/Airframe practical if I recollect. Not much to it if you have the tool. Just need a saw, vise, some grunt and to know how to grimace just right as you crank on it.

[HTRN]

Copper work hardens, which might not be a good idea since it will be subject to more or less constant vibration on the truck.

Copper does work harden, but I don't see as a problem - the line from the compresser to the tank in most upright combos is copper, and that is subject to far more vibration than it will mouned under a vehicle.

And oh, those Hydraulic lines won't do to well over time - road salt does a number on 'em(not like Chris has to worry about that now though. )

Course, he could always buy some SS tube, and a flaring tool and some fittings...



HTRN

[blackeagle603]

What ees theeese "road salt" you speeek of?

[chrisb]

Move to Texas dude.

As for OBA, a York setup will be lightyears ahead of anything else you come up with.

I have a fairly expensive electric compressor for my truck, and it does pretty well with a decent sized tank though.

For winch, I would probably look at something like a Warn M15000.

[Netpackrat]

I agree, the York compressor systems are great; but you still have to come up with air distribution and tankage.

Also, what if the motor won't run? It's my same problem with running a hydraulic winch. I can always haul batteries and/or a genset down into the ditch to power an electric compressor (or winch for that matter). It's a lot harder to fix the motor down in the ditch first to get the accessories running.

I guess it comes down to how many failures you expect to have simultaneously, and if the problem that caused the dead engine can realistically be fixed/aided by having compressed air available. I think that the case for having a winch that can run with a dead engine is strong, but the onboard air less so. And the York setups are SO much better than any other form of onboard air, that I think it is silly to consider anything else if a York can be made to work in your vehicle. None of the battery operated units even come close to providing the volume, and that CO2 or SCUBA tank will eventually run out. The York puts out enough volume to run air tools and reseat beads. The only other solution I can think of that can sustain that sort of performance as long as the fuel lasts, would be to carry one of those gas powered contractor type compressors in the bed.

[HTRN]

The York puts out enough volume to run air tools and reseat beads.

Maybe in small tires. In big tires, there's another solution.

It can go wrong though.


HTRN