Build my own crane?
 

I need to get a new piece of equipment, about 1,000 pounds up to the second floor. Rigging company wanted $2000 to do it bringing it through the window. Since we need to regularly haul large quantities of heavy boxes up and down a flight of stairs, I was thinking of building my own crane or getting a scissor lift. Both have pros and cons.

If I build a crane, would probably just get an electric car winch and then make something resembling an engine hoist, though I could see doing something with a gantry. Vertical drop from top of open window to ground is 25 feet.

Anyone ever built anything like this? What formulas do I need to figure out weight counterbalancing? I figure the basic structure could be made out of 2x2 steel per the rotisserie I made last year.

Any design ideas are much appreciated!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288200281.jpg

Take a look at the lifts folks used to have for barns and bringing hay up to the top level

I would be wary of using an electric vehicle winch. They generally are not design for vertical pulls and may or may not have brakes, etc. I design a lot of this kind of stuff and it's not the "normal operation" scenarios you need to think about, but the "what if" scenarios when things go wrong. What if the power goes out when you have a load on the hook? What if you have a motor failure?

I would design any part of the structure (especially stuff in the hoisting load path) to a factor of safety of 3 on yield and 5 on ultimate. And then load test it to about 150% of whatever rated load you've designed it to...

$2000? ouch.

can a construction forklift do the same lift? to the window? 1000lbs is nothing for a Gradall fork.

Cheaper to buy the stuff, and also safer and more legal.

Lots O'OSHA laws apply to cranes. They need to be certified and tested to be legal.
Go to McMaster carr McMaster-Carr and see if they sell what you need. That way it's already designed, tested, certified, etc.

Good point on the power...

Perhaps get some ideas looking at sailboat rigging? Some amazing gear in that field these days. I would think a double or triple block set-up with the proper lines
could give plenty of leverage for lifting 1/2 ton.

rent one of these, hire an operator.

ironically, the only pic i could find was one being lifted by a crane.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288202425.jpg

Call around to your local Sign companies.... One of them might do the lift by the hour... I know my dad sure would.... Sling it long and just drag it in the window....

Who took the picture of the rotisserie- MC Escher? I'm assuming that the left and right sides are built equally but it looks like the right wheel closest to the lens supports a beam that goes straight into the center of the left side.

can it fit up the stairs? just go to home depot and get a bunch of mexicans!

I know you are trying to conserve cash, but my vote would be negotiate the $2k down as much as you can, then suck it up and pay the bill. Your time as owner and GM needs to be focused on driving sales, driving production, and most importantly - mailing out those invoices. Going off on this kind of tangent is an opportunity cost that exceeds $2k.

That being said - for whatever this is worth - you can capitalize the $2k along with the purchase price of the equipment. It is permissible to capitalize costs associated with preparing an asset for use.

Keep in mind things are cheap here in OK... but that 2k is insanely high.... I mean we could get a 20ton 100' crane for several DAYS around here for 2k. This should be an afternoon at best... Call around to several sign companies and crane rental places. All of them should have enough rigging to lift w/e is you are moving....

re-read what sammy said & then think about the permit excitement from the City of Cambridge...

If I was faced with such a situation at "my" shop, I no doubt would be rigging something up to get the job done. 2 ton rated 4 pulley block & tackle and 250' of new rope is the first thing that comes to mind.... probably would use my truck to pull on the rope to hoist it up. ;):D

I have to agree. Cranes in businesses becomes a hassle. Annual inspections (FEES!). Training (FEES!). Insurance (um...yup).

Now, that being said, I'd have no problem tossing together a simple block and tackle (1000 pounds is child's play) during the weekend, get the job done, then remove it, without tellin' no one.

Here! Hold my beer and watch this!

Yep... except these days it is more likely to be vodka. :D

As a mechanical engineeer and a lifelong hardcore DIY type, I cannot fathom paying someone 2 grand to do something like this. That said, I do not live in an urban setting and have not seen Shaun's location so I have no idea how well my DIY problem solving ways would play out in the blacktop jungle. :)

Get a fork lift. 2 stories should not be over 12 feet. 1000 lbs. is doable by the kind of lift you see inside the Home Depot. A fork lift is financible, even used, can be depreciated and will always have resale value.

I agree with the pulley comment (for what its worth). For some reason, i'd shy away from an electric winch? Pully or a come-a-long?

we (as in my dad) built our log house with a 'tripod' setup that acted as a crane... a come-a-long did the work.

the engineering, and permits to tie a hoist into his building will cost more than the $2k.

What are these permits you speak of? I thought he was simply trying to lift a piece of new equipment into his window. :D

Speaking of engineering and permits, what is the live load calc for the 2nd story floor?

First, thanks for all the replies.

Sorry I wasn't more clear. When I said I wanted to build a crane, it will be an indoor crane and be akin to my rotisserie. Best I can describe it will be a typical engine lift with the legs rotated 180 and some mechanism for hauling up the goods. I pictured welding a winch to the boom and a pulley at the end of the boom. Weights would sit on the legs so it doesn't topple over.

Some answers to questions:
It's exactly 20 feet from the ground to the base of the window, window is 37 inches from floor. A forklift could work, rental place has 20 foot lifts and just need some way to receive it. One limiting factor is any equipment on the outside of the building has to pass through an 8 foot high tunnel.

Can't go up the stairs, press is too big and too heavy. Moving companies wouldn't touch it.

dtw is absolutely correct, I don't have the time to make this and renting a solution is better. BUT, building this now, it would save tons of time in the future in receiving and shipping goods. I could also bring the Ducati up top. I think an early 911 shell will also fit through the windows. :D

I'm considering something like a 1 or 2 ton electric hoist mounted onto the crane superstructure in some way.

No permits, this crane does not exist.

Partial disassembly and reassembly?

not really necessary but could be handy.

Pictures would help..

JR

of what? the building?

here is the press.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1288230137.jpg

How much structure have you got above? Hang a piece of Ibeam up and get an overhead hoist setup.... Make it to where the hoist can be slid along the Ibeam and the Ibeam slid in and out the window....

No. Whatever you're moving. It's the way I've gotten machines in my basement when size or weight is a problem.

got it.

the top carousel can be removed reducimg about 300 pounds BUT:

it must be refitted exactly as it was before removal

the control panel wiring goes through it and therefor I would have to disconnect and reconnect over 100 tiny wires that control the press

there is a brass bearing that fits over the center shaft which is precision fit. Talked with the factory, very very hard to get back on once off.

that my friend was my first thought. My second thought was tearing the roof apart and everything tumbling down. I will take some pics tomorrow of the roof structure.

Shaun... Seriously get in touch with a sign guy.... They will understand what you are lifting, and should treat you a helluva lot better than a rigging co.

I'll make some calls tomorrow, thanks.

Sid's prolly got the best idea. They sometimes have to sling some ungainly signs..

worst case you can build your own steel framework inside the bldg. - tie it into the bldg frame if you want - just make it strong enuff to foist your load, then hang your hoist off of that

strongly recommend that you make/buy something that can slide back & forth - not just go up & down

it's always easy to get stuff in, think about getting it back out

yup... We carry a wide array of lifting slings on all of our trucks...

Fixed it for you Tim :D

:D While I am thoroughly disgusted by ever increasing governmental safety regulations, common sense and my sense of self preservation would obviously prevent me from trusting an Audi to perform such a task. :D

Rigging companies deliver forklifts on 'tilt-and-load' flat beds.

Truck and driver fee is usually $125/hr or so. Even with a four hour minimum....