For Sale Hercules Quick-Set Tripod w/ Gear Head ULF

holmburgers · Jul 19, 2010

So, I got this massive tripod in a package deal with a Red-Lake Hycam highspeed camera. Here is an example of what it looks like, though this isn't mine. It comes with the geared head which works well (smooth operation).

Most of the steel bits, like the screws, nuts and gear-head-spring have surface rust. Otherwise condition is pretty good, though well used. One of the struts for the legs had been broken but was repaired by an experienced welder.

Anyways, just wondering what kind of interest there is here on APUG.

If you would like to know more or see some pictures, let me know.

Thanks!

fotch · Jul 19, 2010

A picture is worth a thousand words.

holmburgers · Jul 19, 2010

That is true, and I'll take one tonight...

I will say that it is not a looker, but it is 100% functional condition.

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

Those are *amazing* tripods, I have one myself. The company is (more or less) still supplying parts for them, though the parts prices are more in line with what these beasts originally cost, than with the much reduced prices you can pick them up for on the used market. I use mine with my Photec highspeed camera, interesting to see that's what the OP's was used for too!

Duncan

lxdude · Jul 19, 2010

Does *ULF* stand for Ultra Large Format or the sound you make picking it up? Hercules, indeed.

holmburgers · Jul 19, 2010

Hey, cool to hear that! I actually could use some help figuring out my Red-Lake Hycam if you know much about high speeds in general.

In fact, this Hercules has a Red-Lake plaque on it, as these were sold as package deals in the industries that required them.

And lxdude, the answer is both!

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

I have a little OCD when it comes to obscure things whose parts are expensive - I buy multiples and put together the bext one for me, fix up the dregs the best I can, and resell all the excess. So I have a bunch of pictures from when I sold off my other ones. I'll post them here so folks can see what these bad boys are made of. They're basically all the same, with some differences throughout the years in crank handles, feet tips, and a couple of different available total heights.

Duncan

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

More pics:

holmburgers · Jul 19, 2010

Additionally, mine has leveling feet and to be honest, it seems bigger/thicker than this one, plus geared everything (tilt, pan, raise, lower). Though it is hard to tell from pictures.

You could probably, quite literally, put it at it's maximum height and sit on it (depending of course on how many Big Macs you eat....)

I'll post my pix soon, though thanks for sharing yours frobozz

update (you posted more pics before I was done!).... yeah, mine is slightly different, definitely a more robust model. It couldn't possibly get that small.

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

Just to make it clear, the last two posts were pictures of stuff I sold a long time ago, it is the original poster who has one of these for sale. They got snapped up pretty quickly when I listed them on That Auction Site - apparently these puppies are still sought after by a lot of folks, especially when priced less than the many thousands they cost new way back when.

Duncan

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

holmburgers said:
Additionally, mine has leveling feet and to be honest, it seems bigger/thicker than this one, plus geared everything (tilt, pan, raise, lower). Though it is hard to tell from pictures.

You could probably, quite literally, put it at it's maximum height and sit on it (depending of course on how many Big Macs you eat....)

I'll post my pix soon, though thanks for sharing yours frobozz

update (you posted more pics before I was done!).... yeah, mine is slightly different, definitely a more robust model. It couldn't possibly get that small.

Those were two different tripods (I told you I had OCD!) The tiny one was AMAZING - how small it could get vs how stout it was... but indeed, it simply didn't go high enough for my purposes when extended, so I sold it (after swapping some parts off of it with the one I kept )

Neither of those had heads on them, thus the missing axes of gearing. I'll have to see if I can find a picture of the one I kept...

Duncan

frobozz · Jul 19, 2010

OK, a picture of my keeper tripod next to a standard Bogen (what a cute little thing the Bogen seems!)

Duncan

holmburgers · Jul 20, 2010

Ok, here she is...

Yep, definitely bigger

Here it is, in all it's herculean glory. This tripod could put any camera in any position at a height of around 7 feet or more, safely and securely. This thing is truly gargantuan.

As you can see, it's dusty & rusty. Everything is a little on the stiff side, but no grinding, no forcing... just in need of a cleaning & lubrication; some general TLC.

The geared head works smoothly with plenty of resistance from the spring, and tightens down securely; the swivel/pan works very well as evidenced by the long exposure picture. The geared elevator works well, except that I can't get the screw that is responsible for locking it at a given height to thread smoothly and thus secure it. This is the only thing that is not functioning correctly.

The spirit level is still full of liquid, the head/platform can tilt 90 degrees or more and a sophisticated gearing system makes the tripod-thread easy to attach to a camera.

This tripod is seriously capable, but a bit of a fixer-upper. If I had the time, I'd take it apart and clean everything, maybe replace some of the rustier bits and do some scrubbing with a brass brush; this could go a long way. As it is however, I don't need any new projects! I'd love to sell this to someone here that can spruce it up and bring it back to full glory.

I'd be happy to get $200 for it, plus shipping (which will no doubt be signficant).

Please let me know your honest opinion and don't hesitate to make me an offer if you're interested.

2F/2F · Jul 20, 2010

Ah! JUST the thing I need for my Pentax Auto 110. I'll take it!!!

frobozz · Jul 20, 2010

Yep, that looks like a slightly newer variation on my head, with cooler spinny handles instead of my ugly crank levers. My platform actually has two slots and clamps for holding down cameras (which works well because my Photec has two tripod mount holes that line up with them!) - it looks like yours easily could also, under that cork covering. Does it?

My earliest Photec runs were done on my Bogen tripod, which actually bobbed a bit from the motor torque and that big heavy camera on top of the little head. No such problems with the mighty Hercules tripod!

Duncan

holmburgers · Jul 20, 2010

I haven't peeled back the cork to check, so I can't say.

2F/2F, I was thinking the same thing about my Rollei 35, but I don't know, that 2.8 is a lot of glass...

frobozz · Jul 20, 2010

You don't have to peel back the cork; all holes and slots it has should be visible from the bottom of the main plate.

Duncan

holmburgers · Jul 22, 2010

bump

Ok, is anyone interested in $150 plus shipping?

If there are no takers at 150 then you'll be forcing me to take it apart, clean & lube it myself and upon relisting it, you'll be so helpless to resist this beautifully refurbished work-horse that you'll all mortgate your homes at once just to a get a chance to beat out your fellow APUGer

holmburgers · Aug 23, 2010

BUMP!

Howdy all.

I've yet to find a home for this tripod and would still like to do so. How about $150 with shipping included as well as the APUG contribution taken care of by me. Free shipping on this monstrosity is no 'garnish', that's a steak dinner ladies & gentleman.

For those just tuning into this thread, go back to post #13 and that's the tripod I am offering.

Now, I didn't get as ambitious as stated in my previous post (dismantle, clean = beautiful) but I did take things apart, peer inside, squirt some 3-in-1 oil hither & thither, check that everything was accounted for and basically eased my mind about selling this tripod... everything is 100% functional.

The worst thing is that the elevator locking screw (or whatever you wanna call it) is *tight*. With a rag on your hand it can be tightened down fairly easily. It is not ideal, but workable. I took out the bolt and examined the threads but still cannot determine where this tightness is coming from.

You'll notice that all the surface rust is confined to the steel bits, like the nuts/bolts, screws, and spring. The parts that count, like the gears, sliding tubes, etc. are all aluminum and completely rust free. The gears look great and operate very smoothly; the pan-head bearings are as smoooooth as Tennessee whiskey (excuse the song reference)

So please, if you're interested let me know.

holmburgers · Sep 27, 2010

Ok, if I was asking out a girl for this long with no response, it'd be a matter of "I GET THE HINT!"

But I've always been pretty stubborn, so one more shot...

$50 PLUS shipping. And no, frankly I don't know what the shipping will be. I've yet to pack it, and I don't have a weigh to way it (wait... strike that, reverse it).

Rick A · Sep 27, 2010

PM sent

rdw100 · Oct 7, 2010

tripod purchase

If the Hercules tripod is still available, I would like to purchase it. Please respond and I can quickly complete the transaction. I have a UPS account number that can be used for collect shipping as well. Thanks, Roger Woodward, Penn State University

holmburgers · Oct 8, 2010

...going, going......

holmburgers · Oct 8, 2010

For Sale Hercules Quick-Set Tripod w/ Gear Head *ULF*

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For Sale Hercules Quick-Set Tripod w/ Gear Head ULF