Overhead Crane

[eevenson]

Kerbin trials of my overhead crane are just about complete.

[Pondafarr]

What are the aerospikes for? to lift the entire structure? how many orange tanks have you moved with it? Can we get a closeup of the trolly system?

In other words...

THTS KEWL!

[eevenson]

I use the aerospikes to drop the crane anywhere on Kerbin for testing. It makes quick work of moving orange tanks around. I've moved two at a time to date. The ballast tanks on the end of the boom are used as a counter weights. I pump prop into the ballast tank opposite the load to keep the boom level.

Trolly close up coming up...

[eevenson]

Here are some close ups of the trolly system. The trollies dock up when the crane is "dropping" to the work site.

[HafCoJoe]

WOW. Impressive indeed. Does it have a counterbalance?

[eevenson]

WOW. Impressive indeed. Does it have a counterbalance?

Yeah, the tanks on the ends of the top boom are normally empty. As you lift a heavy load, pump fuel into the opposite tank to counterbalance the load.