Dear Forum Members,
During the 1930’s - 1940’s, the “Baker-Rauling Company” of Cleveland Ohio built and sold industrial equipment, fork lifts and shop cranes. Their vehicles incorporated a gasoline/electric power plant designed and built by the “Ready Power Company” of Detroit Michigan. The “Ready Power” unit was made of an in-line, straight-six cylinder gasoline engine (????possibly a Continental????) that had it’s flywheel replaced with an armature and field ring that produced 36 volt current to run the vehicle’s electric traction and hoist motors.
The Railroad Museum of Long Island owns a “Baker-Rauling Company” Model “CXB” crane/truck, serial number 8122, with the “Ready Power Company” power unit. Originally used by the Long Island Railroad at its Morris Park car shops, our crane is operable and does a great job of handling our heavy lifting. The challenge of the moment is the engine generator that charges the starter battery has been severely damaged, beyond repair, and we need to find another one. The generator bolts onto the front of the engine block, much as a modern day starter does, and is driven from an internal gear.
Please help. If any reader knows the whereabouts of a used parts supply, derelict crane/fork lift/power plant, new generator, somebody’s unique fix, please contact me through the Forum or directly by my e-mail address: [email protected] Your interest and consideration is appreciated by our entire Museum family.
Don Fisher, Trustee
Railroad Museum of Long Island
440 – 4th Street
P.O. Box 726
Greenport NY 11944-0726
THX,
de Don, n2qhvRMLI
During the 1930’s - 1940’s, the “Baker-Rauling Company” of Cleveland Ohio built and sold industrial equipment, fork lifts and shop cranes. Their vehicles incorporated a gasoline/electric power plant designed and built by the “Ready Power Company” of Detroit Michigan. The “Ready Power” unit was made of an in-line, straight-six cylinder gasoline engine (????possibly a Continental????) that had it’s flywheel replaced with an armature and field ring that produced 36 volt current to run the vehicle’s electric traction and hoist motors.
The Railroad Museum of Long Island owns a “Baker-Rauling Company” Model “CXB” crane/truck, serial number 8122, with the “Ready Power Company” power unit. Originally used by the Long Island Railroad at its Morris Park car shops, our crane is operable and does a great job of handling our heavy lifting. The challenge of the moment is the engine generator that charges the starter battery has been severely damaged, beyond repair, and we need to find another one. The generator bolts onto the front of the engine block, much as a modern day starter does, and is driven from an internal gear.
Please help. If any reader knows the whereabouts of a used parts supply, derelict crane/fork lift/power plant, new generator, somebody’s unique fix, please contact me through the Forum or directly by my e-mail address: [email protected] Your interest and consideration is appreciated by our entire Museum family.
Don Fisher, Trustee
Railroad Museum of Long Island
440 – 4th Street
P.O. Box 726
Greenport NY 11944-0726
THX,
de Don, n2qhvRMLI
