Hats off to dma251. That guy doesn't know the meaning of the term "take some time off for yourself".
Not only did he track down and work a super deal on a HEMTT crane for me.
He's also spent untold hours taking measurements off of his HEMTT so I could fab up the support brackets-- last week he drove over and picked it up then hauled it down from Washington to my place where we unloaded it and installed it on the back of the baby HEMTT.
For anyone planning a project of this scope, a forklift is mandatory.
I rented one and had it here when Damon and his assistant driver Doug showed up Monday AM.
First off the trailer was the outrigger assy. Set it aside and rigged the Grove MHC977 for the next pick.
Chained up the controller and lifted it off of the trailer and set it directly onto the mounting brackets on the back of the baby HEMTT.
Went for the outrigger assy. next and when positioned, found that none of the bolt holes lined up. This was a result of me outsmarting myself and pulling a bonehead math error.
At this point we figured lunch was in order as Damon & Company had to start back for home. We loaded some HMMWV and HEMTT parts I had for him and headed for a burger.
When I went back to my house I still had half a day left so what the heck; broke out my mag drill and marked the outrigger assy. for holes to match up with those in the mounting brackets. Six 13/16" holes later I trimmed off the excess mounts on the outrigger assy. and it lifted into place just like it was meant to go there.
Since the previous owner had it laying on it's face on a pallet, I have hoses to remake and wiring to do as the wiring harnesses were cut (easier to disassemble when you don't have to disconnect everything), and a remote controller cable to manufacture but the baby HEMTT project has made a quantum leap forward in the last few days.
To Damon, and all the other members who are keeping up on the baby HEMTT project, (and keeping tabs on me)-- thanks for the interest and encouragement. You're definately what makes this hobby fun.