Antique Letourneau J6 pan from Orlando FL to Davisville, R.I.

[storminnormand]

Friends,
Posting here on the recommendation of Tom Berry. I submitted an article on this subject for Equipment Echoes but he replied that it would not get published and reach the members until next spring. This needs to get done much quicker.
Long story short. Spotted this abandoned rig beside the road on the way to my job almost twenty years ago. Saved it from the scrapyard when the road was being rewidened in 2006. Been sitting in storage for about three years trying to get it moved for the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park for whom I acquired ownership from last owner. Much work trying for a donated rail car trip got nowhere.
The non-profit Memorial Park can't afford to pay freight, but can issue tax credits for any donated services to get the rig there. HCEA members could get tax exemptions for any expenses incidental to hauling the J6 to them.
No deadline for arrival, but I've unintentionally worn out my welcome for free storage! It could get there by way of several short moves by any number of different volunteers. Must be lifted on to a lowboy, no good rubber left.
I have photos of it being lifted and hauled off the roadside to storage for reference.
It's relatively small and could possibly fit on a trailer with one of your own small machines. Please contact me if you might be able to take it even a short way there. Possibly from one HCEA event or other showplace to another ? Doesn't matter if it sits for a while between moves.
Maybe a trip to Orlando to pick it up would appeal to you ? :D
Thanks,
" Stormin' " Normand Dupuis
Chief Equipment Operator, USNR (Ret.)
Chesapeake Clamdiggers Chapter

[Joe Black]

I'd be glad to store at my place in Fort Meade, FL for an extended period until y'all can get it up to the museum. I may even be able to transport. What are dimensions and weight? Is there equipment to load where it is now?

[storminnormand]

Thanks immensely Joe for your offer !:p

Please visit my J6 photo album for pics of the crane lifting the J6 and the pan later sitting on the lowboy which rescued it from a certain trip to the scrapyard. The Orange County Roads and Drainage Division, our original benefactors who are storing the J6 for us, will load it.

If the photos aren't sufficient, accurate weight and dimensions are available from Dale Hardy at the R.G. LeTourneau Heritage Center: theflyingtournapull@hotmail.com

Since the 2010 HCEA convention will be held in Richmond, R.I., not far from Davisville,this is the very best time to find volunteers with trailers heading in that direction !

I have to pinch myself...I can't believe there is finally light visible at the end of the tunnel after three years of frustration over this ! :eek:

It's all thanks to lovers of old iron at the HCEA and The Orange County Roads and Drainage Division.:D

[storminnormand]

Haven't heard from you Joe since you first offered to store the J6 at your place in Ft. Meade. Would you be able to pick it up in Orlando, or do we have to hope someone else can do it ? No replies yet other than yours. I hope there will be enough interest in this so it gets to R.I. along with someone going there anyway for the 2010 Convention. :D

[Joe Black]

Apologies, just started A&P school last week and have been a bit overwhelmed as it's an hour drive each way over in Clearwater. How soon does it need moved from where it's at now? Actually, PM me your number and I'll call this weekend. Saturday is our Chapter clean-up day at Flywheeler Park for the upcoming show season so it'll be after that, unless you'd like to come out and meet some of your Sunshine State Chapter members! :D

[Amberlina]

HCEA members could get tax exemptions for any expenses incidental to hauling the J6 to them.
No deadline for arrival, but I've unintentionally worn out my welcome for free storage! It could get there by way of several short moves by any number of different volunteers