5th wheel wrecker

[TacticalTruck]

As per Bjorn's good advice I started a new thread on the 5th wheel wrecker boom.

Mark, here are pictures of the pieces that clamp to the pipe stock resting on the ramps which limit side to side travel. The other picture shows a block which, i think, is designed to limit the swing fore and aft. i also have some questions as to how, exactly, the bar hooks up including the piece of angle pictured with the clamps. It has a 24 volt pump which is powered thru a slave cable from the tractor.
jeff

 

[steelsoldiers]

That looks real handy! Have you seen very many of those around. That would be a great way to make a tractor pay for itself!

 

[TacticalTruck]

No, I have not. Winslow has one and there was one more at the auction. The SS member who owns this:
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?module=photoshare&func=showimages&fid=127
bought it. I asked this before with no response, how do you figure out who's photo album is who's?
Jeff

 

[clinto]

I asked this before with no response, how do you figure out who's photo album is who's?

I don't think at this time there is a way...........I remember discussing this at one point as well.

 

[redass73]

That is a very cool piece...would like to have one myself..

 

[wreckerman893]

We called those units "Holmes kits" since they were made by the Holmes Wrecker Company.
The trans unit next to my old unit had a bunch of them since they had M915's and one big wrecker wasn't enought to keep up when they had a lot of trucks on the road.
I'm surprised there haven't been more of them on GL.

 

[Recovry4x4]

There are 2 designs of these. I have the TM on the later one. This FWTD is made by Holmes. As jeff discussed, its powered off the slave receptacle. The chains and boomers attach the front of the unit to the tractor to keep it from lifting on the 5th plate. I'm not sure what all the adapters are but I know it can be attached to the front lifting ring mounts. The towbar itself swivels to negotiate turns. I've been interested in these for a while but my little tractor wouldn't be big enough to tow much more than a CUCV.

 

[halftrack]

I see civilian versions all the time on the road and been wanting one for awhile. Does anyone know how much they go for?

 

[rumplecat]

There is salvage yard in Rogers Arkansas that uses these a lot, he had several of the civi models, next time I am there I will ask about a price if he is willing to sell. We have several large trucking firms here in Springdale, you see truck being hauled by this method pretty often.
James G.

 

[nf6x]

Thanks for the additional pictures and explanation. I can see how those little clamp pieces would work, and tying down the front end with the chains makes sense, too. I'm looking forward to some more pictures once you figure out how it all works and lift something with it!

 

[TacticalTruck]

I looked at the faded data plate and it was made in 1995 and it appears to say "Lift and Go" across the top. Goggle was no joy for the phrase. Many people make these now and I think they run about $5K. Mine also came with another pin for the big 10 ton size 5th wheel. Here's a simpler civi one:
http://www.towyourown.com/

jeff

 

[5tonpuller]

They had a lot bigger vesion I seen at the armery here. Did not take and pictures but the next time I see it I will. Now I want a 5th wheel tractor too. ( Wife will have a fit. )

 

[BMS07]

Hey 5tonpuller. Did you ever get pics of the bigger version?

And does anybody have pics of one hooked to a truck?

 

[tcody]

I ran across this thread recently. I have been looking for a Holmes FW-35 for awhile to complete my wrecker restoration. The fifth wheeler in the previous posts are significantly different than the the Holmes units I was familiar with. Can anyone give a little history of the design changes/specifications etc..? I have attaches a picture of the FW-35 which was available for civilian and Military use - circa 1986.

 

[tcody]

Ok - well. no picture. Lets try that again!

 

[73m819]

one of them would be nice for my xm983

 

[tcody]

Ron - either style would look good on the 8x8. Have you started to restore it yet? would love to see a few photos of the progress.
Thane

 

[73m819]

thane,
havent done a thing with it yet, never home enough and something ealse always comes up, hows the mann 10t comming

 

[tcody]

Ron,
Haven't touched it. We've been dealing with snow and ice here (6 inches today). Maybe in the spring!
Thane

 

[ajg6989]

nice