I just acquired a very nice AF 944/945 pair, but I wonder about the crane controls. the rear knob that adjusts the boom will not hold the boom at any height without even a slight vibration collapsing it completely. Normal for this piece operation? If not (I hope) is there any way to adjust this easily? Opening up anything blindly with more than a few working parts makes me a little nervous.

Appreciate any information.
Gary

The cable "rigging" for your boom is probably not strung correctly. The cable must criss-cross the 4 small pulleys in a specific way to work properly. I seem to recall that one of my books has a picture of the proper rigging, but I can't seem to find it right now.

Does someone on the forum have a diagram or picture?

I'll try to describe the rigging on one of my cranes (until I find the diagram or have time to take a picture).

As viewed from above/behind the cab:

From the control knob spool the cable goes to the inside of the forward, left pulley. It winds counter-clockwise around the pulley and then straight back to the outside of the rear, left pulley. It winds counter-clockwise around the pulley and then crosses over to the inside of the forward, right pulley. It winds clockwise around the pulley and then straight back to the rear, right pulley. Then, clockwise around that pulley and forward to the center hole in the forward bracket that holds the forward pulleys. Make sure the cable fits under the retaining "clips" on each pulley.

Hope this helps.

Try this restringing

Thanks!

The stringing on mine is actually just a straight loop around the four pulleys and back into the cab. Looks like a have a re-assembly project to get this fixed. It did help some when i moved the string to include the two small posts on the underside of the lifting part of the cab. I suppose it just added a little more drag to the line, but as noted, I'll make a small project out of getting this correct.

Also noticed the large hook on mine is the only piece on the wheel, the others just being tied off. I actually like the trimmer look of the 5-digit car shown and will probably make a crib for the counterweight/pulley piece on the 945 tender.

Do the two pins that stick out the rear of the 944 cab roof have any function on the model?

Again appreciate the fix/drawing information.
Gary

quote:

Originally posted by overlandflyer:

Do the two pins that stick out the rear of the 944 cab roof have any function on the model?

Gary

I suspect you're referring to the simulated exhaust outlets that are on the top/rear of the cab. I'm thinking that somebody (Carl T.?) could rig the 944 for TMCC operation and even make the the exhausts "smoke". THAT would be a cool accessory.

Your problem is not with the stringing. The string does not help with keeping the boom up, or in any specific position outside of simply being a holder. If you remove the cab, (screws on the bottom), you will see that the rod that the wheel is attached to is held in place with clips. These clips must exert enough friction to keep the boom unwinding the string from the rod. You'll have to gently bend them and tweek them to get the tension just right.

PRRDave