figured out my fantasy toy

[richard]

Which was described in an earlier post. Basically, a 1,000 ft swing arm suspended from a center post able to rotate in all directions.

What I came up with is simple. Starting with a 60 ft pole. The swing arm would be mounted at about the 20ft level. The swing arm itself will be pipe, so constructed it looks like one solid piece. On the "backside" of the swing arm, another length of pipe to act as counterweight. From the top of the pole, 10 cables would be laid out and connected to the swing arm at 100ft intervals. Think of a cablestayed bridge.

My "chair" then would run along underneath the swing arm on a pulley system.

So somebody rush out and build the damn thing for me ok?

[M&S]

What is the purpose? To swing over your neighbors pool or just to get up there and zoom around?

Mark

[richard]

Part of my "master plan" for the world's largest truck stop. The swing arm would be able to reach every truck in the lot and the operator would be able to deliver food and drinks to the drivers. The ultimate curb service.

I've been in large truck stops and had to park in the back row. I'm tired. I don't want to get out and walk half a mile when it's pouring down rain or the lot has a ton of snow on it. Now if they could come to me, hey, I'll park anywhere.

[M&S]

I dont mean any offense by this but,.... Many of the over the road drivers I have known and seen could use all the excercise they can get and not just because of weight. I had my class 1 in my early 20's but let it laps when CDL's came about. I occasionally drove short hauls on the side for a small company but couldnt stand the monotiny. I dont often make excuses for people but truck drivers are one of the rare exceptions in that they are forced to sit for long periods of time. All the health issues follow, back, hemhoroids, bladder, weight, circulation, and so on.

I understand the tired/weather issues but perhaps the excercise and face to face human interaction could be viewed as a plus? Ergo consultants in every other industry recommend regular breaks, getting up and stretching your legs, walking a bit, and so on. I understand many drivers are compensated by the mile so breaks impact income but perhaps there are better solutions than a crane. eheh Or perhaps stop before you are too tired to walk to the truck stop so that when you _are_ too tired you can just pull into the next rest stop, take a short walk to the sh*tter and back, climb into the sleeper, and konk out for a bit?

Just my .02, and again, no offense intended, Mark

[bill allemann]

for the cost of this rig (and an enormous increase in liability insurance), you could instead add a large staff of carhops on skates/scooters for years, and come out way ahead.