Bell

Once upon a time (exact date currently being investigated), my Father bought a bell
from an antique store in Granbury, Texas. It was used in several 4th of July parades.



Over time, the bell was abandoned and sat in a field for years.
Pictured is Dad surveying the bell's condition and perhaps reflecting
on the good old parade days.





Unrelated photo of tools piled in the drive.


July 2024 Bell Relocation Project - Granbury to Irving Texas


bell extractor parts - "A Frame" brackets


bell extractor parts - "A Frame" lumber


bell extractor parts - "A Frame" lumber


Step 1 - Clean out back of the bell removal vehicle


Step 2 - drive to Granbury and take Shark Photo Op




Step 3 - Assemble the "A Frame"


Step 4 - Erect the "A Frame"


Step 5 - Attach winch to the "A Frame"


Step 6 - Wait out a brief rain shower


Step 7 - Attach bell to winch


Step 8 - Extract the bell onto the extraction vehicle


Step 9 - Marvel that the bell has been extracted


Step 10 - Celebrate with burgers


On the way home, we found a similar smaller bell for sale:


The bell was unloaded in pretty much the same manner as the extraction process.







Free "Cherry Picker" - missing the Ram Jack:


Free "Cherry Picker" - missing the Ram Jack:


Ram Jack replacement:


Used before the "Cherry Picker" was functional.


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade:


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade: mounting plates
cut with a Cut-Off Saw.


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade: The saw really made the sparks fly. OUCH!


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade:


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade:


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade:


Free "Cherry Picker" - Wheel Upgrade:


concrete stand - measurements


concrete stand - wood form.
Blocks at the bottom to provide channels for lifting straps.
Also pictured is a bag of "High Chairs" to hold the rebar.


concrete stand - rebar.


concrete stand - ready to mix and pour


concrete stand - pour in progress. Electric sander was to be used as
a vibrator to remove trapped air. It didn't work.


concrete stand - Neighbors out for a walk provided work in progress inspection.


concrete stand - pour completed. Funny looking black nylon used to protect
the bolt threads. Bolt length was determined by the size I found them in the garage.


concrete stand - side view of forms removed


concrete stand - top view of forms removed


concrete stand - on-line concrete calculator was dead on!


Paint:


Ready for mounting:


Mounted:


Cost:

A-Frame Brackets 49.79
A-Frame Lumber 100.35
Cherry Picker Ram Jack 64.94
2 - Rubber Wheel Chocks 17.30
4 - 5/8 inch Hitch Pins 17.28
6 - 10 inch Pneumatic Casters Wheels 123.33
Wheel Mounting Hardware 31.94
Concrete Stand (wood, concrete, etc.) 46.99
2 - Cans Spray Paint 21.61
4 - 1/2 inch Accorn Nuts 5.98
Lunch at Grumps 38.03
1 Box 50 AYC Grenadiers Natural Dark Cigars (in lieu of gas money) 70.00
1 Bottle Andre champagne (the "good stuff") for christening 7.99

TOTAL = $595.53