I have known about this accessory for many years, but have not had any experience with one. This was quite informative. Thank you for another educational video.
The 583 “a” version actually used a completely different motor underneath and no reverser. You might want to check out @davesAFTrains where he restored that version
Nice Job with getting it working again. AF has some really good accessories, great technology for the times. Good to hear Dave is still posting, he is one of the authorities to go to for all things AF. Merry Christmas to you.
I watched DavesAFTrain video after you mentioned it, his being the 583A. The boom string on his crane is threaded through the the back of the crane cab and threaded through the hole of the crane's "counter weight" and tied off to the back of the platform. The magnet automatically raises when the crane is swung left or right and lowers when you swing it back, its lowest point when the crane is aligned with the platform. So it appears that you have to orient the platform so the magnet is at its lowest point over the tray and swings & raises the magnet to the height where you want to drop the load into a gondola. I don't think there is a manual crank for the string. Only the boom has a manual adjustment. Later today I will look in my books to see if any of them have a restringing diagram/instructions and if so email it to you.
Page 59 & 68 of Tom Barker's Repair Guide Third Edition describes the 583 & 583A components and operation including a description of the single button sequence for the 583 also best orientation of the crane to the track. He only mentions manual operation of the Boom. I will keep looking for routing of the string.
I believe the string on mine can be routed through the back as well for the same automatic operation, has the same holes and guides. I'll make that adjustment when I have time, getting pretty close to Christmas now!
@@MygrandpasTrain I haven't found any diagrams for routing the string. Saw lots of photos with the string tied to wat looks like a ladder/bracket. Someone described it in O Gauge online Forum. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the detailed video! The rope connected to my dad's crane hook recently disconnected from the tower. I'm unsure of where to reattach it, to allow the crane to raise and lower. Can you help me out?
I didn't figure it out till after I made this video. The string actually goes through the crane house and comes out the metal ring at the back, through the second ring and ties to the metal tab sticking up behind it. This will pull the cable in and out when it spins left or right automatically.
I have to look for one of those cranes. You were not kidding about this video. What a fantastic AF accessory.😊👍💯🚂🎄
I have known about this accessory for many years, but have not had any experience with one. This was quite informative. Thank you for another educational video.
Really cool. You have the #583 crane. The next generation #583a had two buttons for direction.
Nice job restoring the mech.
I have a 583a. Your video is a huge help. Thank You.😊👌👍!
The 583 “a” version actually used a completely different motor underneath and no reverser. You might want to check out @davesAFTrains where he restored that version
Nice Job with getting it working again. AF has some really good accessories, great technology for the times. Good to hear Dave is still posting, he is one of the authorities to go to for all things AF. Merry Christmas to you.
Dave's videos are few and far between lately, but still find his channel highly informative and fun to watch. Merry Christmas
Nice! Great job on the resto!
I watched DavesAFTrain video after you mentioned it, his being the 583A. The boom string on his crane is threaded through the the back of the crane cab and threaded through the hole of the crane's "counter weight" and tied off to the back of the platform. The magnet automatically raises when the crane is swung left or right and lowers when you swing it back, its lowest point when the crane is aligned with the platform.
So it appears that you have to orient the platform so the magnet is at its lowest point over the tray and swings & raises the magnet to the height where you want to drop the load into a gondola. I don't think there is a manual crank for the string. Only the boom has a manual adjustment. Later today I will look in my books to see if any of them have a restringing diagram/instructions and if so email it to you.
Page 59 & 68 of Tom Barker's Repair Guide Third Edition describes the 583 & 583A components and operation including a description of the single button sequence for the 583 also best orientation of the crane to the track. He only mentions manual operation of the Boom. I will keep looking for routing of the string.
I believe the string on mine can be routed through the back as well for the same automatic operation, has the same holes and guides. I'll make that adjustment when I have time, getting pretty close to Christmas now!
@@MygrandpasTrain I haven't found any diagrams for routing the string. Saw lots of photos with the string tied to wat looks like a ladder/bracket. Someone described it in O Gauge online Forum. Merry Christmas.
Thanks for the detailed video! The rope connected to my dad's crane hook recently disconnected from the tower. I'm unsure of where to reattach it, to allow the crane to raise and lower. Can you help me out?
I didn't figure it out till after I made this video. The string actually goes through the crane house and comes out the metal ring at the back, through the second ring and ties to the metal tab sticking up behind it. This will pull the cable in and out when it spins left or right automatically.
@@MygrandpasTrain Thanks so much for the reply! I will see if I can figure that out this weekend when I'm there.