Had to pick between a new rig or a full rebuild on my old 50-ton

My main machine, a 2007 model, was starting to show its age with a small hydraulic leak and some play in the swing gear. The quote for a full rebuild from a shop in Tacoma came in at just over $18,000. The other choice was putting that money down on a newer used model from a dealer. I went with the rebuild because I know every inch of that old crane, and the shop guaranteed their work for two years. It was down for about three weeks total, which hurt, but having it back feels like a brand new machine without the new machine payment. The swing is tight and the controls are smooth again. It made me think about how attached you can get to a piece of gear you've run for so long. Has anyone else chosen a major rebuild over trading up, and were you happy with that call a year later?

3 comments

3 Comments

paige1665d ago

Attached to a piece of gear" is putting it lightly, you married it.

avery_flores5d ago

That gear probably gets more quality time than most people's actual partners. Kinda sad when you think about it.

erickelly5d ago

Hold on, why is that sad? Gear is reliable. It does exactly what you bought it to do, every single time. People get weird and change their minds and let you down. If someone finds real joy in using a well made tool, who gets to call that a bad thing? Maybe the problem is with the people, not the gear.