Thread: New member with new-to-me Kearney & Trecker Model K, No. 2 Plain, Hor. Milling Mach.

Hello all.

This past Saturday, I acquired a Kearney & Trecker Model K, No. 2 Plain, Horizontal Milling Machine, SERIAL 32-4854. I would like to find out as much as possible about my new prize such as year manufactured, specifications (weight?), manuals for operation & parts, possible accessories and the best sources for parts, tooling, etc. Also, advice on cleaning, servicing, and connecting to Single Phase power will be helpful (I'm thinking the rotary phase converter approach right now).

One question (as above) is weight. The forklift that loaded it had a 4000# capacity and was BARELY able to lift it onto our trailer (with a Big Guy standing on the back of the lift). The info. I have read so far indicates 6000#, +/- for this machine. I am wondering about my garage slab floor (4 inch thick typical cement floor).

I have used and will continue to use the search engine here and have also joined the K&T Yahoo group. I am new to the machining world, but have been working with metal as my hobby for about 12 years. This machine was puchased with the goal of training on it as well as use in future fabrication projects. Anyone with recommendations on training aids such as DVDs please chime in. Once the machine is cleaned, serviced, and running, I may try to attend a local tech class or 2.

Thanks for any and all constructive comments!

gkbikers

Pretty close to 6000 on the plain, 5975 if I recall, but can check this evening when I have access to factory info. As to year, before about 1948, again, can refine this later. I have a 14,700 pound machine on a 4" slab and have for eleven years. Nothing bad has happened. Cleaning is what ever you like that does not include power washing of any sort, or blasting around with high pressure air. Servicing means getting the right oils in knee and column and Bijur reservoir on saddle if it has one. This is easy - Exxon Mobil DTE Heavy Medium in column and knee and Exxon Mobil Vactra #4, #3 or #2 in Bijur reservoir. If you feel the need, get all the oil out of column and knee and flush same with solvent, such as Kerosene - before refill with fresh stock.

We have an ENTIRE forum section devoted to the electrical concerns - do check it out. It will have at least 7 1/2 HP and possibly 10 HP

Hope that chain IS NOT directly on top of knee.

On edit - lot 4854 was 46 2K/3H Horizontals completed July 1944. Your's was the 32nd in that line up.
As of the late 1939 full line catalog the Plain weighed 5975. By summer 1944 it might have been up to 6500 since they all gained weight.

I have a no.4 and it is heavy. What part of the state is Buford located?

Originally Posted by johnoder

Pretty close to 6000 on the plain, 5975 if I recall, but can check this evening when I have access to factory info. As to year, before about 1948, again, can refine this later. I have a 14,700 pound machine on a 4" slab and have for eleven years. Nothing bad has happened. Cleaning is what ever you like that does not include power washing of any sort, or blasting around with high pressure air. Servicing means getting the right oils in knee and column and Bijur reservoir on saddle if it has one. This is easy - Exxon Mobil DTE Heavy Medium in column and knee and Exxon Mobil Vactra #4, #3 or #2 in Bijur reservoir. If you feel the need, get all the oil out of column and knee and flush same with solvent, such as Kerosene - before refill with fresh stock.

We have an ENTIRE forum section devoted to the electrical concerns - do check it out. It will have at least 7 1/2 HP and possibly 10 HP

Hope that chain IS NOT directly on top of knee.

On edit - lot 4854 was 46 2K/3H Horizontals completed July 1944. Your's was the 32nd in that line up.
As of the late 1939 full line catalog the Plain weighed 5975. By summer 1944 it might have been up to 6500 since they all gained weight.

Thanks for the info. I will check out the electrical section.

I put a 2x4 between the chain and the knee. I think (hope) it's okay and I share and understand your concern.

gary

Originally Posted by advt001

I have a no.4 and it is heavy. What part of the state is Buford located?

Buford is N.E. of Atlanta, about 35 miles up I-85. Basically, the Mall of Georgia area.

These are truly great machines. as johnnoder suggested the manual says to flush with kerosene. the oil may look clean in sight glass but there can be sludge blocking pickup screen. the sightglass in knee is also a flow gauge. the upper sightglass on column is the flow gauge.you should see oil flow in these when running. when you first start up check rotation as this is a new wiring installation. direction arrow on large pulley. mine has a 7 1/2 HP. running on a 10 HP. rotory phase converter. good luck gleanerdawg

Originally Posted by gleanerdawg

These are truly great machines. as johnnoder suggested the manual says to flush with kerosene. the oil may look clean in sight glass but there can be sludge blocking pickup screen. the sightglass in knee is also a flow gauge. the upper sightglass on column is the flow gauge.you should see oil flow in these when running. when you first start up check rotation as this is a new wiring installation. direction arrow on large pulley. mine has a 7 1/2 HP. running on a 10 HP. rotory phase converter. good luck gleanerdawg

Thanks. Are there instructions somewhere on how to flush and refill?

Did you build your phase converter and, if yes, any particular link(s) that you recommend?

How about the reprinted manuals from Ebay, anyone have an opinion on them?

Thanks again!

gary

Very nice.

If it's like my 2CH the column drain is behind the right side door - was a short pipe nipple capped off. The fill hole would be in the back below the spindle.

I see that it has the vertical head parking station and crane. Did you get the vertical head? Any other tooling?

Originally Posted by mpmar_bt

Very nice.

If it's like my 2CH the column drain is behind the right side door - was a short pipe nipple capped off. The fill hole would be in the back below the spindle.

I see that it has the vertical head parking station and crane. Did you get the vertical head? Any other tooling?

Thanks.

I got a few horizontal cutters and some other pieces (3 arbors), but nothing major. No vertical head, but that WOULD be nice! Price for machine, including the tooling and loading on my trailer was $300. I didn't think that was too bad.

Unless my math is bad that's better than scrap price - so yeah not too bad at all.

Originally Posted by mpmar_bt

Unless my math is bad that's better than scrap price - so yeah not too bad at all.

Yeah, but that doesn't include the trip to pick it up and that (including a blown trailer tire) doubled the cost. Plus, we're worn out!

Yes the price is good but moving it would have caused me to pass on it.

Originally Posted by advt001

Yes the price is good but moving it would have caused me to pass on it.

I understand!

It is still sitting on the trailer, covered in plastic wrap and a large tarp. I'll be building a wood and metal pallet to drop it on tomorrow. The plan is to call a local wrecker service to lift it up, then drive the trailer away and lower the machine onto the pallet. Then, move it into the garage with the pallet jack and about four guys pushing and pulling.

I plan to lift the machine by the "arms" using heavy tow straps. The pallet will have 4" angle around the bottom edges with eight machine "feet" or pads to allow leveling.

Please, anyone, chime in if you see a problem with this approach. I plan to leave the machine on the pallet permanently.

Thanks,

Gary

1" nominal sch 40 pipe works well as rollers. The pallet jack may not lift it. Reduce your help, to many hands get in the way. I rarely have more than one helper. Move slow.

3¢

move it into the garage with the pallet jack

Are there pallet jacks that handle 6000 lbs?

I hired a truck wrecker in Michigan to load my milwaukee universal model 2k-20-2635
6400# from late 1939. It was a an easy lift for $75.
To unload hired a 'car' wrecker. The fat guy that came with had to hang on the bumper to
keep the front tires on the road. Those smaller wreckers might be rated for 4,000 pounds.
Rolled it into the shop on pipe and a 7' pinch bar.

My do over, put it on pipe on the trailer, secure a come-a-long to the front of the trailer. Raise the trailer
and ease it down the metal ramps with the come-a-long. Block the wheels.

Something like this:
Early 1900's Hamilton radial arm drill

Originally Posted by WHHJR

1" nominal sch 40 pipe works well as rollers. The pallet jack may not lift it. Reduce your help, to many hands get in the way. I rarely have more than one helper. Move slow.

3¢

Uh, you can take your chances if you want but I wouldn't suggest it. Cause once the pipe squeezes flat under there it is a real biatch to get it out. The bottoms of those mills are not flat and the ridges on the side, where the weight sits, will crush the pipe. I use 1.5 solid and it works a little too good, getting it rolling is easy, getting it stopped is hard. Try some one in solid bar, should work great.

Kilroy makes a good point about the solid round stock as we did flatten some pipe.

Use more pipeS. It takes at least 5 but 6 or 7 is better. If you Squash one you dropped something. Not previously stated but you also need (must have) at least one good stout 4 to 5 foot long bar with plate pads for leverage. If you haven't done it or seen it don't do it......


8¢

Originally Posted by johnoder

Are there pallet jacks that handle 6000 lbs?

I moved my 205SA (5500lb+) on a very heavy duty Blue Giant pallet jack (weighs about 250 lbs), it was a breeze, rock solid. Easy two-man move. I also moved it on a HF-type pallet jack at another site, that was way more "interesting" but it worked. The HF jack was very elastic under the mill.