Small shop bridge crane?

[79bonanza]

Has anyone built a small bridge crane in their shop?

I'm wanting some form of over head lifting device but my lowest ceiling height is 8'5". So it'll have to fit that height.

I'm thinking the size I want is 20x15x8'5" and capable of lifting 2000lbs. Is this possible? I'm no engineer so I don't know about the weight limits on cranes lol

I was just thinking of having 3 post down each side of the 20' section( one on each end and one in the middle) and then connecting both ends at the top.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-telescoping-gantry-crane-69513.html

 

[ashman]

I built a gantry crane based off of the HF one and it's been great. It lowers to about 8' high, but I can raise it up to 11.5' (I have 12' ceilings in my garage). Being able to roll it out of the way when I don't need it is great too. I got most of the metal from a metal recycling yard so I was able to build the whole thing for about $300. The most expensive part of the whole thing was the heavy duty casters.

 

[FOR MUD]

I'll get some picts of what I built this winter....The only disavantage is they take up a lot of space when not in use.

 

[79bonanza]

Yeah well I did some research on actual 4 post bridge cranes and apparently you have to have like 6" thick floors for most! Idk why honestly.

But yeah I'm looking in to getting a gantry hoist now. That harbor freight one looks about perfect honestly. If I can get it that cheap I may not even try to build one.

 

[FOR MUD]

Watch out, those HF ones are kinda narrow ( 93") and a dually won't fit. I built mine so my trailer can fit between the up rights.

 

[79bonanza]

Ahh good to know, I'm wanting like a 10 or 12 foot width