Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 80
  1. #1
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts

    M923 5 ton 6x6 cutting up for axles?

    At some point I'll be picking up this military 5 ton 6x6. I'll possibly keep it but I'm thinking about chopping it for the axles to build a mud truck. This won't be for awhile but what all can I expect to do to cut it up myself if so?

    Should I pull the axles and just trailer it in to a scrap yard whole? Or should I get myself a torch and torch it? What all will I be doing to dismantle a 22,000 lb truck?

    Start from the bottom up? Top down?



    I likely wouldn't save much else, if I go this route I'll trash it all. Thoughts?

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:



  3. #2
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    The fastest, most economical, and easiest method would be to take it to the yard in one piece and let them use the shear to dismantle it down to the axles. Have the yard reload the axles and you take the money for the rest of the metal.

    Good luck.
    Give back more to this world than we take.

  4. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  5. #3
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Patriot76 View Post
    The fastest, most economical, and easiest method would be to take it to the yard in one piece and let them use the shear to dismantle it down to the axles. Have the yard reload the axles and you take the money for the rest of the metal.

    Good luck.
    Thanks for the prompt reply. You think they'd actually do that for me? Wow. I may part it out but if they'll do this I might have it sheared.

    Do you think I could drive it in, over the scale, have them drain and shear it, and then just run the axles back across the scale and get out of there?

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  7. #4
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    And being able to watch is preferable for obvious reasons.

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  9. #5
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by M923 View Post
    Thanks for the prompt reply. You think they'd actually do that for me? Wow. I may part it out but if they'll do this I might have it sheared.

    Do you think I could drive it in, over the scale, have them drain and shear it, and then just run the axles back across the scale and get out of there?
    Since you are a new member of the forum, I assume you are not a regular scrapper and do not have a relationship with a yard. I could get it done because of history. If you can drive it to the yard, this strategy would leave a lot of money on the table. Your idea of parting it out would be financially beneficial for a person like myself. Having the knowledge, tools, and network would make this type of job easy and profitable.

    If it is mechanically sound, I would use it or sell it as is and look for another set of axles for my mud truck. If I drove the 6 x 6 in and asked them to shear it they would think I was loosing my mind. I know one of the yard hands or the yard itself would buy it immediately for more than scrap value.

  10. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  11. #6
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Patriot76 View Post
    Since you are a new member of the forum, I assume you are not a regular scrapper and do not have a relationship with a yard. I could get it done because of history. If you can drive it to the yard, this strategy would leave a lot of money on the table. Your idea of parting it out would be financially beneficial for a person like myself. Having the knowledge, tools, and network would make this type of job easy and profitable.

    If it is mechanically sound, I would use it or sell it as is and look for another set of axles for my mud truck. If I drove the 6 x 6 in and asked them to shear it they would think I was loosing my mind. I know one of the yard hands or the yard itself would buy it immediately for more than scrap value.
    Sounds logical. This won't be for awhile yet so I would definitely make a relationship with a yard first.

    It's mechanically sound. Despite thinking I was losing my mind would the ones you know still do it if you refused to sell it to them whole? I wouldn't sell it if I was already there, either tear it down or send me on my way...[IMG]file:///Users/andrewlange/Desktop/IMG_1141.jpg[/IMG]

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  13. #7
    hills's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,351
    Thanks
    797
    Thanked 1,276 Times in 721 Posts
    Just an opinion, but it might be more hassle than it's worth to try to repurpose the axles out of an M923. They had a habit of locking up & stalling out the motor when the brakes were too firmly applied. It caused a lot of fatal accidents.

    The military later had them retrofitted with anti lock brake systems and that fixed the problem.

    It's one thing to swap in an axle but it's a lot more complicated to transplant a 6x6 ABS into a 4x4 mudder. You would have to chase back all of the wiring harnesses salvage and the central processing unit ? How on earth could anyone ever keep it all organized & straight in their head ?

    Instead ... maybe get the axles out of an old machine that's been out sitting in a field for the last 40 years ? They must be a lot simpler without all of that computer control stuff.

  14. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by hills:


  15. #8
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    [QUOTE=hills;288066]Just an opinion, but it might be more hassle than it's worth to try to repurpose the axles out of an M923. They had a habit of locking up & stalling out the motor when the brakes were too firmly applied. It caused a lot of fatal accidents.

    The military later had them retrofitted with anti lock brake systems and that fixed the problem.

    Yep, I'm very familiar with these trucks! I know all about their ABS issues quite well, if that's what you mean.

    A lot of people use them in 4x4 projects so it's definitely doable. They're pretty simple really.

    I'm also an MV hobbyist "by trade" so it's very likely I'll keep the truck. If not I'm likely having it torn down with a shear for the axles. Have you trashed any of these trucks yourself?

  16. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  17. #9
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    The more I think about it tearing it down in 5 minutes with the shear sounds like the best option IF I go this route.

  18. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  19. #10
    RLS0812's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Bucks County Pennsylvania
    Posts
    895
    Thanks
    155
    Thanked 633 Times in 358 Posts
    Unless the truck is a rust bucket, who on earth do you want to destroy a $7,000 - $16,000 truck that still runs ?!

  20. The Following User Says Thank You to RLS0812 for This Post:


  21. #11
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    Getting this one for 6500. Not the prettiest one out there but I'd be driving the heck out of it first for sure.

  22. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  23. #12
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    So with the worth of the axles (especially as time went on) and what I'm getting the truck for I'd not-quite break even probably...especially if scrap went up.

    I may just keep it as is and drive it until the wheels fall off, too.

  24. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  25. #13
    hills's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,351
    Thanks
    797
    Thanked 1,276 Times in 721 Posts
    [QUOTE=M923;288067]
    Quote Originally Posted by hills View Post
    Just an opinion, but it might be more hassle than it's worth to try to repurpose the axles out of an M923. They had a habit of locking up & stalling out the motor when the brakes were too firmly applied. It caused a lot of fatal accidents.

    The military later had them retrofitted with anti lock brake systems and that fixed the problem.

    Yep, I'm very familiar with these trucks! I know all about their ABS issues quite well, if that's what you mean.

    A lot of people use them in 4x4 projects so it's definitely doable. They're pretty simple really.

    I'm also an MV hobbyist "by trade" so it's very likely I'll keep the truck. If not I'm likely having it torn down with a shear for the axles. Have you trashed any of these trucks yourself?
    Nah, i drove class B straight jobs off and on for 30 years. Did some work in the garages and so on. A truck is a truck .... ya know ? It's just not my calling in life. I don't especially like that kind of work.

    For somebody else ..... it might be a labor of love if that's what they're really into.

  26. The Following User Says Thank You to hills for This Post:


  27. #14
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Back to your original question, how to scrap this type of truck without the shear. I would use a torch and start by raising the box. Stabilize the box with chain and pickup, cut hydraulic cylinder and rear pivot points. This would give you easy access to the rear two axles. Be careful as hydraulic fluid is highly flammable.

    Load box on flatbed trailer. Tip truck on side to access front axle. Load remainder of truck in box on flatbed and haul to the yard. This strategy requires a good torch, loader, and common sense. A couple of pointers on cutting the truck:
    1. Read the metal - as you cut, the metal will start to move in the direction it will want to shift.
    2. Cut hard to reach places first so your last cuts allow you an escape route if it shifts.
    3. This means cutting out the drive line, gear boxes, transmission, etc. leaving the u-bolts for last. I cut the bottom first and cut the top one last. On the top u-bolt you do not have to cut all the way through, stop short and allow the weight of the machine to tear the metal where you heated it.

    Disclaimer - This is a condensed strategy that I use on trucks, combines, and other machinery. Common sense and experience with a torch are required to ensure your safety.

  28. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  29. #15
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    It's a fixed bed but good to know for any dump beds.

    So you say pull the bed torch out the axles flip it on its side and chop up the rest? I presume removing cab, etc. first.

    I prefer the taking it to the yard and tearing it down with the shear by FAR if that would work. Think it wouldn't trash the axles?

  30. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  31. #16
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Since these vehicles have a ladder frame, the cab and the majority of metal will come off with the frame. You can still remove the box in one piece even if it is fixed. The secret with using the shear to avoid damaging the axles is to shear the frame front and back of each axle. You will need a torch to remove the extra metal from the axle. The easiest way to shear off the axles is to turn the vehicle upside down. A good operator will not have any trouble salvaging the axles. Do not be surprised if the yard wants the metal for removing the axles.

  32. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  33. #17
    M923 started this thread.
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Alaska
    Posts
    60
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 52 Times in 50 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Patriot76 View Post
    Since these vehicles have a ladder frame, the cab and the majority of metal will come off with the frame. You can still remove the box in one piece even if it is fixed. The secret with using the shear to avoid damaging the axles is to shear the frame front and back of each axle. You will need a torch to remove the extra metal from the axle. The easiest way to shear off the axles is to turn the vehicle upside down. A good operator will not have any trouble salvaging the axles. Do not be surprised if the yard wants the metal for removing the axles.
    So what a good operator would do is tear the cab off, possibly tear the bed off, tear the cowl off, pull the motor off, throw it upside down and chop up the frame between each axle for me? I'm fine with that...think they would also torch the last of the frame for me?

    And yeah, I could see them just wanting the metal for the extra effort, or at least at a reduced payout.

    Or would they flip it upside down whole (doesn't matter, if it's getting scrapped anyway) and shear things out with the truck on its side? Cab etc hypothetically doesn't matter in this case, it's all being sheared in theory.

  34. The Following User Says Thank You to M923 for This Post:


  35. #18
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    Every operator will approach it in their own way. The disadvantage of shearing the axles off is liability. I do not know of a yard that will take responsibility for damage to the axles. They are in the demolition business, not the restoration business.

  36. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  37. #19
    ScrapmanIndustries's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Easton, Pa
    Posts
    361
    Thanks
    99
    Thanked 303 Times in 132 Posts
    If all you want is the axles we normally just cut the leaf springs near the hangers. then the driveshaft and what ever else might be attached and rip the rest off with the senebogen. But those trucks are pretty much infinitely repairable. people will buy them for parts or to fix up if it doesn't run. Why on earth would you torch a truck worth at least $5K? I'm actually looking around for one at the moment to use as a heavy hauling scrap truck if I start buying AC Compressors in bulk. I would hate seeing a perfectly good military truck getting the torch just to get an axle out.

  38. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by ScrapmanIndustries:


  39. #20
    ScrapmanIndustries's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Easton, Pa
    Posts
    361
    Thanks
    99
    Thanked 303 Times in 132 Posts
    Even If the front is toast if the back is solid these things would make a pretty nice trailer If you know someone who welds.

  40. The Following User Says Thank You to ScrapmanIndustries for This Post:



  41. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. This thead is a question - cutting torch
      By hunterandscrapper in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 10-08-2014, 10:46 PM
    2. Best Cutting Tools
      By CumminsMan in forum Tools and Equipment
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 06-18-2013, 06:19 PM
    3. Newbie with question on CV Axles
      By luckystrikes in forum Scrap Metal Questions and Answers
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 04-30-2012, 06:05 AM
    4. Truck Axles
      By DigMeOut in forum Dismantling, Breaking Down & Maximizing Scrap
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 04-09-2012, 06:39 PM
    5. Big old Ford Cutting up
      By ozzy214 in forum Vehicle Recycling
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 02-17-2012, 09:05 PM

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook