What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

trolley hoist questions

ashman

ashman

What's a pigeonrat??
 Premium
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Posts
6,333
Reaction score
8,064
Location
salt lake city
I'm thinking about building a 2 axis I-beam trolley hoist for my garage. My truck it too tall for a typical cherry picker to pull the engine, and I think I could build a decent trolley system for cheaper at any rate.

anyone else done it? got any tips or good sites to check out?
 
I've been pricing and researching "A" framed crane hoists here lately. I want one for my rig as well. The Harbor Freight one is rated pretty well from those who have bought one, and can be improoved or upgraded. My only complaint is it's only 8ft wide, I would prefer at least a 10" wide one. It's I believe reg. price @ $649.00 but if thay have it on sale and with the 20% coupon thats a great deal. And the top beam can be replaced with a 2" wider one if necessary. Won't change the load rating by much, and I'm sure it's safety load rated to twice what it's rated. It can be braced more too.
 
Last edited:
Built two of them in my shop.

Used a 4x4x1/4wl. square tube for the upright post. Anchored to the floor with a 1/2" plate and to the rafters.

Hung a chopped down 14BFF off the side of it for the pivot. Differential was removed and the axle tubes were slugged together so I ended up with "X" number of inches and two spindles with hubs on them.

Wheel studs go through plates that are welded to the main upright and gusseted up pretty good. It's captured which makes servicing bearings impossible short of a torch but they may never wear out.

I beam is welded to the axle tubes up high with a kicker brace on the bottom side. Longer the kicker brace the less actual usable range you have.

We've used them to pick up quite a bit of weight. Our I beams are 12' long. Pick up engines very easily. Much heavier hasn't been a problem.
 
I would rather build myown but time I need to finish the projects I have. I may still build myown but not until I take care of my medical bills first. I've just been pricing whats out there for now. You can not build one for cheaper then you can buy the Harbor Freight one though, especially if it can be gotten on sale and with the 20% coupon on top of that. I just would a better one. I found a BAD ASS aluminum one that super easy to assemble, a one man setup. it has a 4400lb capacity too. but at a cost of $6700 bucks!!!!!!! No thanks! but I could copy it out of steel for WAY WAY cheaper.
 
I've got a 12' ceiling in my garage so I was kinda hoping I could find a way to hang the I-beam trolley from the ceiling, but I'm not sure if I could spread the weight over enough of the rafters to make that safe.
cybrfire said:
Built two of them in my shop.

Used a 4x4x1/4wl. square tube for the upright post. Anchored to the floor with a 1/2" plate and to the rafters.

Hung a chopped down 14BFF off the side of it for the pivot. Differential was removed and the axle tubes were slugged together so I ended up with "X" number of inches and two spindles with hubs on them.

Wheel studs go through plates that are welded to the main upright and gusseted up pretty good. It's captured which makes servicing bearings impossible short of a torch but they may never wear out.

I beam is welded to the axle tubes up high with a kicker brace on the bottom side. Longer the kicker brace the less actual usable range you have.

We've used them to pick up quite a bit of weight. Our I beams are 12' long. Pick up engines very easily. Much heavier hasn't been a problem.
Click to expand...
if you get a chance could you snap a picture of that for me? I hadn't thought of doing it the way you describe, but that sounds like it would work out pretty good.
 
I would think you would have to have a couple of support poles, one at each end of course. How tall is the beam, 12' L X ? W X ? thickness. Whats the total weight? If you're not sure just find a beam weight per foot calculator in Google and punch in your numbers. it will spit out the weight of you beam.
 
I don't have a beam I plan on using yet. just an idea. :)

I think you are right though, I'd need to support the ends. the width of the garage is only 12' though, so I could probably set up support beams by the walls which would give me plenty of side to side distance. if I could work out maybe 5-6' of front to back movement as well that would be plenty I would think.

this is still very much in the "dream it up" stage. I'm just trying to get some input from you guys on which direction to take my dreaming. My ideas on what/how to do it have changed dramatically from just whats been posted so far.
 
ashman said:
I've got a 12' ceiling in my garage so I was kinda hoping I could find a way to hang the I-beam trolley from the ceiling....
Click to expand...



ashman said:
I don't have a beam I plan on using yet. just an idea. :)

I think you are right though, I'd need to support the ends. the width of the garage is only 12' though, so I could probably set up support beams by the walls which would give me plenty of side to side distance. if I could work out maybe 5-6' of front to back movement as well that would be plenty I would think.

this is still very much in the "dream it up" stage. I'm just trying to get some input from you guys on which direction to take my dreaming. My ideas on what/how to do it have changed dramatically from just whats been posted so far.
Click to expand...


Ahh, I figured when you said you could hang "THE" beam over head,... it ment you had one. 5 or 6' would be the minimum amount of movement if your going to do it. If you can squeeze a couple more feet out of it that would be much better, but if thats all ya got then thats all ya got and have to live with it. I want a built A frame so I can move it to where ever I want/need it. And if it's adjustable height you can still get then in the garage to use it in there if needed. If I can ever build my dream garage I'll have an over head hoist crain as well.
 
Check granger also for trollies. They have a good selection online.

I just bought a pretty nice one during their Christmas sale
 
I'm actually thinking something like this might work pretty well:

I'd have to brace it underneath instead so I could keep it up near the ceiling, but it might work out pretty well...

Crane 008 (Medium).jpg
 
That would work too, but like you said be somewhat limited in the rolling capacity with a brace underneath. So, then come up with a better mouse trap. Design it in a way to get full rolling capacity AND full strength for the amount of weight capacity your looking for it to be able to hold and support into the design, spicifically for safety reasons mainly. The other thing to consider is will the wall hold and suport the beam crane AND the weight of the heaviest load you think you'll lift. Do you own this building/structure? I assume so. Most people wouldn't consider this in a rental because of the damage thay WILL cause. But some might, and have probably done it.
 
yeah, I own the building. I can't imagine lifting anything heavier than your average small block, maybe with a tranny attached to it. I would think that the walls could handle the load, but I'd have to dig up some numbers I guess to be sure. I'd think if I put it in a corner it would be better, assuming it would still reach where I wanted it.
 
If I was going to do a jib crane style hoist like pictured above, I wouldnt attach it directly to the wall. I would do a post anchored to the floor and to the rafters, possibly to the wall for stability. I wouldnt rely on the wall for the support of the hoist plus the load. These work well but can be very limited on capabilities, especially on a smaller scale. I personally would prefer a 2-axis bridge crane setup, as you wont be as limited to mainly just engines and what not. You will also get more range of use throughout your space. Building them is really not all that difficult and can be done as a free standing unit with your posts out of the way in the corners of your shop. You will get more capacity and range of motion with a bridge crane setup in your space, in my opinion.
 
Finally managed to build something. I was trying to build this on the cheap, so it took some time finding the right metal from the recycling yards.
crane%20006.JPG

crane%20005.JPG

crane%20008.JPG

crane%20009.JPG


A similar crane was available from HF for about $650 but I was able to build this for less than $300 including hardware, paint, trolley and chain hoist. The cross beam can go as low as 8' and as high as 11'6".
 
Great job Ash, very nice looking blue too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom