James R. Barker

[fireman12]

They do have a Spare Crank. Being loaded to go to FM for check out / machining.

I can`t believe they picked up that crankshaft without a sling in the middle, unbelievable.

[Guest]

I wonder if this spare crank came from one of the replaced engines off the Paul R. Tregurtha?

[Paul A]

I'm glad you found the right classification guest. Martin's website is Huge and full of great information and I applaud him whole heartedly! What a treasure for us amateur and professional engineers.

[Guest]

Ok I think I found the specs on Colt-Pielstick it has 15 3/4" bore X 19 11/16" or 400MM X500mm to be exact. So yup that would definitely be the crank.
I was thinking it one of those low speed tall multi-level monsters. That's what happens when you've never been on-board to physically see overall size.

Straight cut, 3-part connecting rod neat to picture of what that looks like.

http://www.fairbanksmorse.com/engines/c ... ick-pc26b/ this must be what's on the market now?

TNX
Paul

[Guest]

This crank doesn't look anyway as big as the cranks on "Paul A" post or did I pick the wrong Video I believe crank for an 8 cylinder
http://www.dieselduck.info/videos/02%20 ... change.mp4
TNX

[Guest]

They do have a Spare Crank. Being loaded to go to FM for check out / machining.

[Big Wave Dave]

I remember a very exciting day back in 1976(at the age of 8) when my Mom, Dad, brother and I, launched a rebuilt baby blue tri-hull bow rider that we had brought back to life in the back yard. Upon hitting the waters of the Black River in Lorain the motor fired right up and we commenced up river. I was very excited and the excitement only got more intense when we pulled aside the James R Barker being built at the American Ship yard in Lorain. I was able to pound on the side of the Ship and wonder how Great in was to see a ship come to life.
As we headed up river towards the steel plant I remember my eyes watering because of the pollution in the air, I swear I can still smell the sulfur. Anyway, we had some bait and our poles so we drop our lines into the Black River. Well, I'll be dammed if my brother didn't catch a Baby Gar!! To this day I'm amazed that Prehistoric looking fish was living the river. Great memory.
Today the shipyard is long gone, the steel plant is running with a skeleton crew and the air is cleaner. The river has become a wonderful place to canoe, kayak and fish, but I haven't hooked a Gar. My hope is that my daughter is with me when we do!!
Have a Great Day!!

[Pat]

Years back, the Blough and Gott has crankshafts replaced in Duluth, under the Port's gantry cranes. They split the Blough's stack open vertically and removed it. The stack was welded up and the ship went back to work on one engine and returned a few months later to open the stack up and replace the engine. Similar repair to the Gott, only they pulled it our through the cargo hold.

[Paul A]

Just an add to my previous post for clarification, There is video under the "videos" tab and the vid is similar as the barker is a medium speed four stroke and what is shown is a very large two stroke cycle.

[Paul A]

The crank is a custom item every time. Do a Youtube search and you will find some amazing vids. Check Martin's marine engineering site from Boatnerd's links http://www.dieselduck.info/ it's a big site but I think that's where I found the manufacture of a crankshaft and a ship getting a replacement with cutting a hole in the hull and jacking up the upper engine for the swap. Really big job.

[hayhugh3]

The crank is probably not a shelf item. To start from scratch - pour a slab, cool it and machine it, would probably take around 6/7 months.

[guest3]

Internet ad (with photos) for used Pielstick crankshafts. It kind of looks like the largest one shown is for a 14 cylinder engine, while the Barker has 16 cylinder engines.

http://www.industrialmarinepower.com/-1 ... shaft.html

[mn brett]

About 8 years ago The James Barker had Engine problems and ran on one Engine for a few weeks.My Wife and I were at the
Leif Erickson Park and Rose Garden in Duluth and I was listening to My Marine Radio. The MESABI MINER was coming off the lake wanting to come in,The Captain on The James Barker was coming up around Rice's point so The Captains were wondering who should go through first. Well the Barker Captain decided to go and the Miner stopped and waited in front of the park.it took over an hour for the Barker to get through.the Miner could have made it in and started to back in, in the Time the Barker made it out the Duluth entry.I wonder if this is the same engine?mn brett

[guest]

Curious what dimensions of a crankshaft? Just what mechanics go thru just to get at the the crank, imagine lots cranes. Or are these engines have modular arrange to take certain sections or segmented crank ?
tnx
Paul

[Guest]

Thank you McCoy. This question has been asked on Facebook and people keep saying it's no one's business. It's good to get an actual answer.

[McCoy]

The Barker is in to replace a broken main engine crankshaft

[Guest]

What kind of repairs?

[Chris M]

She's in for repairs

[garbear]

I was watching the Barker on AIS today and it looked like she was heading to Escanaba. She's currently downbound in Green Bay headed for Sturgeon Bay. Anybody know why? Thanks.