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hf213

Posted 2/10/2019 16:40 (#7311496 - in reply to #7311293)
Subject: RE: Gantry lift? Build? Buy?

I built an "A" frame type a few years ago...it is 24 ft wide, I think 12 ft wide, used a 12" I beam for the crossover. I then had 12" with 2" 10 guage x 8 ft long panels formed into a C, then welded these on top of the I beam. This will keep the beam from bowing when lifting heavy loads. My verticals are on 4" and3 1/2" telescopic box tube, so if or when I want to roll out side I can go up to 22 ft tall, other wise I keep it at 17 ft inside the shop. 24 ft width lets me span tractors with duals easily and still have work room on the sides.

In the pics you will see where I welded on box tube on the sides of the verticals, so I can use my floor jack to raise to my desired height, then I pin it, and tighten all the related clamps to the verticals.
I can raise and be fully tightened in less than 5 minutes.

For the knee braces, they are welded to the outside, so that the chain falls trolley can travel all the way to the inside edge of verticals.

I have 2 , 1 1/2 ton chain falls on it. I have used it for many engines, cabs, duals / wheels, and other various things I needed lifting for my fabrication or repair.

I found some 12" steel wheeled casters in a scrap yard, and I can roll it fairly easily. I have worn raspbars mounted on each end and store most of my chains, hooks, shackles, and lifting related items on it.

Also use it for my shop broom and shovel storage.

It is a nice piece, but heavy enough ( or sometimes too heavy ), where I am now going to make a hydraulic driven wheel dolly that I can push or pull it around easier.

I also have a fully hydraulic knuckle crane mounted on an older truck frame along with a 11 ft service body and 4 ft x 8ft tail / work bench. For setting truck beds, I use both, then back or pull trucks under the body, and get along fine. That being said, the gantry crane sometimes is in the way.

I love my knuckle crane, portable, great for high spans and able to still stay under my ceiling ( 18ft ) . Currently, I use any of my farm tractors or trucks with wetlines to power it, and it also has its own engine driven hyd power unit, I just shuttle a valve, from where I get my hyd power from, I have very long hoses where I can let tractor or truck run outside the building......that being said, am building a electric powered hydraulic unit this winter, to run it without the other type engine driven power units, so I dont have issues with exhaust.

That knuckle crane is HANDY, full remote and lifts much more and with more distance of moving the parts, faster and easier. IF you have a little extra spending money, I would encourage you to take a hard look at that before building a crane. Much more portable, as I can pretty much go anywhere with that service trailer.

EDIT: forgive me on the knuckle crane pics, it looks crude....just needs knocked down, and a good coat of paint, hopefully this summer, crossing my fingers !!!!,
I'm still leaning on setting that whole rig on a 359 or 379 Peterbilt....as I miss my old GMC Topkick service truck I used to have, I have had this rig for about 6 or 7 years...nice that I dont have another engine, batteries, etc for licence, maintenance, another plus is , if a field is too soft for a truck, I hook a tractor to it and go.

Edited by hf213 2/10/2019 16:58