Build my own crane?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

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!

[id10t]

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

[IROC]

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...

[vash]

$2000? ouch.

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

[sammyg2]

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.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by IROC

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...

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.

[vash]

rent one of these, hire an operator.

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

[porsche4life]

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....

[Jagshund]

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.

[gtc]

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

[dtw]

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.

[porsche4life]

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....

[RWebb]

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

[Tim Hancock]

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.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by RWebb

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

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.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

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.

Here! Hold my beer and watch this!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Here! Hold my beer and watch this!

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

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.

[Zeke]

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.

[einreb]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

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.

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.

[vash]

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