Moviola Crab Dolly

Nickolas Gilbert · July 23, 2007

I have a Moviola Crab Dolly and love it. No, not just to look cool in my living room, but yes I do use it for actual production. Unfortunately, it has been slowly leaking hydraulic fluid for awhile now. I finally had the opportunity to take her apart to figure out the problem. I think I solved the leak by simply tightening up the large bolt on the front of the hydraulic reservoir, but in the process I noticed that the reservoir itself is rather empty and I have no idea what type of hydraulic fluid to fill it back up with. Does anyone have any suggestions on what type of fluid I should fill it back up with? I was looking around and there seems to be billions of different types that vary according to viscosity, flash point, etc. Suggestions? Anyone have a manual? Thanks, -Nick

nathan snyder · July 24, 2007

You could go to a petroleum supplier, or a hydraulic specialist, and get some recommendations as to the specific type of fluid might work the very best. However, Most hydraulic fluids are fairly similar. Regular old automatic transmission fluid, which can be purchased at your neighborhood service station, is a hydraulic fluid that works well for several hydraulic actuator applications. I use transmission fluid in my old McAlister dolly, which is similar to the Moviola, I my system works great and is very quiet, and smooth.

Nickolas Gilbert · July 25, 2007

Thanks for the advice. My original thought was to go with standard transmission fluid, but when I started researching I got confused by the possibilities and choices, but now that I think about it the options were most likely much more limited when she was built and as such I believe you are right and pretty much any standard hydraulic fluid should work. I bet the variations in viscosity are lost on the well worn arm and the difference in flash point is irrelevant unless Michael Bay picks her for some Transformers 2 work ha! Thanks again.

You could go to a petroleum supplier, or a hydraulic specialist, and get some recommendations as to the specific type of fluid might work the very best. However, Most hydraulic fluids are fairly similar. Regular old automatic transmission fluid, which can be purchased at your neighborhood service station, is a hydraulic fluid that works well for several hydraulic actuator applications. I use transmission fluid in my old McAlister dolly, which is similar to the Moviola, I my system works great and is very quiet, and smooth.

John Sprung · July 25, 2007

Here's the best hydraulics guy I know -- I use him for heavy stuff, bottle jacks for house moving:

http://www.hyjacks.com/

-- J.S.

victor huey · September 11, 2008

Hi I am thinking about getting a old McAlister Dolly, which has been sitting in somebody's garage for years. I wonder if you know where these dolly's can be serviced, or if there are any manuals on the proper maintainace. The pnuematic tires are flat, i wonder if you know where these tires can be replaced or how these flat spots can be taken out or reconditoned to factory spec. ANy insights to the dolly would be greatly appreciated.

Victor Huey

You could go to a petroleum supplier, or a hydraulic specialist, and get some recommendations as to the specific type of fluid might work the very best. However, Most hydraulic fluids are fairly similar. Regular old automatic transmission fluid, which can be purchased at your neighborhood service station, is a hydraulic fluid that works well for several hydraulic actuator applications. I use transmission fluid in my old McAlister dolly, which is similar to the Moviola, I my system works great and is very quiet, and smooth.

Warwick Hempleman · September 11, 2008

Victor, please make some space in your mailbox. I may have a good source for you.

Are the hydraulics working, specifically the accumulator? Generally with tires new tubes will solve the problems though it will take some time.

victor huey · September 14, 2008

You can email me the information to vichuey@yahoo.com. Any information is greatly appreciated.

Victor

Victor, please make some space in your mailbox. I may have a good source for you.

Are the hydraulics working, specifically the accumulator? Generally with tires new tubes will solve the problems though it will take some time.

Bruce Taylor · September 14, 2008

Victor, please make some space in your mailbox. I may have a good source for you.

Warwick!

Please don't keep it a secret. I have an old McAlister and would love to find someone with the knowledge to service/repair it.

Thanks,

Bruce Taylor

www.Indi35.com

Bert Smith · November 8, 2011

Victor, please make some space in your mailbox. I may have a good source for you.

Are the hydraulics working, specifically the accumulator? Generally with tires new tubes will solve the problems though it will take some time.

Like I assume was the thought from the previous commenter, I am baffled by this. Why on earth would someone, who is apparently holding good information or a possible solution, send that info via:

...a private message???? Inconceivable!

This thread, like many others, comes up on Google when searching terms like MOVIOLA CRAB DOLLY, McAlister, ect.

Again, I am baffled at that.

John Sprung · November 8, 2011

Whatever it is, it's been languishing for three years. The last substantive posts in this thread are from September of '08.

-- J.S.

Warwick Hempleman · November 23, 2011

Bert,

A simple explanation, really. I wanted to check with a person who would prefer to remain unidentified to keep his life simpler, so I went private. After I was able to contact him, he expressed no interest in getting involved in the rebuild projects and felt that he didn't have much to add to what's out there. So, let's see, respecting another person's right to privacy played a big role. Is that okay with you?

Wick Hempleman

J. L. Fisher GmbH