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Well wer'e all set up for our drop, but I still need some help.
We're dropping a pumpkin from a crane, Question How high is too high, The crane that's coming is a 30 ton with a 125 ft boom Is this too high?

Next How far away from the car will the chunks of Pumpkin fly? So we can make it safe for the Spectators.

Last Question Need advice on a release device? A sure way of releasing the pumpkin, and making sure it drops straight out of the lifter

Any hints ideas, experieces would be much Appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Eddy

9/23/2005 6:48:25 PM

Puyallup, WA

The higher it is....the more likely it will miss the intended target. 100 ft. up is an awefully long way to drop! Good luck! :>)

9/23/2005 10:41:25 PM

Pemberton, BC

Yeah but even if you miss the car what a sight!! SPLAT... Highers better Eddy. Good Luck. Chad

9/23/2005 11:59:07 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

I hope you have all glass removed from the car. The Pumpkin Drop in Nekoosa is on to a baseball field and pumpkin flies for atleast 60-100 feet.

9/24/2005 12:17:14 AM

Montoursville, PA

Eddie...........your crane people should know about the release question. Here, on state side that kind, of a release is not permitted but most still have them, on the back shelf or can alter one, of the present fail safe hooks.

Remove the seed before the drop. One drop somewhere that I read about and saw, on line had, a people scramble, to gather seeds. It was a spontaneous crowd reaction that was unexpected.

Show business involves creative use, of a grinder and removal, of some parts like trunk lid hinges, door hinges and hood hinges. Weakening, of the frame, on the inside, to enhance the crush, is part, of the show. In fact it is what makes the show. Removing the glass is a must do thing.

Unless there would be very high winds the drop should not move off center if a centering plum bob is used, in the set up. The wrecking balls they swing and drop are only a couple hundred pounds.

Remove seed from the top and fill the sucker with water, to increase the show time hit effect. Another idea would be, to fill it, with flour. Poof!!!! Kabang. :)))

Shoot that drop with good photography equipment and skills. We will enjoy it over and over.

9/24/2005 9:11:04 AM

[email protected]

Some good ideas, I really like the flour idea, we'll do that for sure. To make sure we hit the car, we are dropping a 250 lb pumpkin as a test, and were it hits, we'll roll the car to the spot. We're using a reliant K car. and we're painting it with a bullseye on the roof and painting pumpkins all over the sides. We have great media coverage and we're also having several people making videos from different angles.
We're thinking of rapping the pumpkin in a cargo net to limit the splatter, and with the flour idea, it should enhance the drop.
We are taking out all the glass including the lights just in case
Eddy

9/24/2005 10:19:54 AM

Puyallup, WA

Talk about a MESS! I see parts of pumpkin up to 200' away from the impact if no netting is used!

9/24/2005 11:14:01 AM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Speed calculations
From MPH
75ft 47mph
100ft 55mph
125 60mph

notice that the last 25 ft don't gain you much speed
the impact energy though is proportional to height

9/24/2005 11:24:12 PM