Lift assist on an LT70

Southside · October 23, 2018, 11:46:27 AM

Anybody have experience with the lift assist kit that WM has for the non super 70's? Do they make a big improvement in head up/down speed?

MartyParsons · October 23, 2018, 06:27:44 PM

Yes and Yes.
Need to be a little more specific on your question. Here are some general statements.

Three gas shocks rated at 562 lbs each. There were some issues from the vendor with shocks leaking and failing. This has been resolved new vendor. No more issues. There is a kit because the shock is a little different in length.

Not the easiest job to replace the assembly, the assembly needs to be lifted out of the mast. Heavy. I keep new bolts ready when replacing they have loc tite on the bolts. Heat with propane before attempting removal.

The early LT70 did not have this assembly and I am pretty sure there is not a kit to put this in a early 70. It could be done it would take some welding and cutting and engineering.

We just had a new owner purchase a early 70 and the up down motor was pulling 130 - 140 amps. With a 70 amp circuit breaker it was not working well. Turns out the previous owner changed the up down pulley. We got the correct pulley and the amps went below 70 amps.

Here are some pictures. Sorry about the messy shop. :

Hope this helps.

Southside · October 23, 2018, 06:48:28 PM

Ok. Would a 2005 have that system in it? Would it get to the speed of a super?

Percy · October 24, 2018, 12:16:39 AM

Quote from: MartyParsons on October 23, 2018, 06:27:44 PM

We just had a new owner purchase a early 70 and the up down motor was pulling 130 - 140 amps. With a 70 amp circuit breaker it was not working well. Turns out the previous owner changed the up down pulley. We got the correct pulley and the amps went below 70 amps.

I tried that myself with my 2003 LT70. Switched back as the breaker wasnt happy. My mill has an exceptional feed rate when all is as it should be. Also have dragged off countless 8x12x16 gigging back....but up/down is like waiting for an old guy to get on the escalator....frustrating and annoying....too bad there isnt a kit cause the rest of the mill is awesome...

MartyParsons · October 24, 2018, 05:25:50 AM

Hello,
You could add the assembly 047753 $ 894.00 But it is NOT a kit. Drilling the holes on top would not be bad. Cutting the hole in the mast about 2' down would be tricky. You would need the exact measurements and would need to weld some reinforcement areas for the 3/8 bolts to be installed. Not impossible.
Up down pulley would go from a AK20 to a AK34

As you change things you will then find the weakest link. Every machine has one or two.

Make the head faster then you want faster hyd and the quest goes on.

Marty