Garage I-Beam with Electric Hoist Pics

[dg-garage]

My first Thread:
I am getting ready to install an I-beam in the garage for lifting various items for maintenance etc. Wanting to get ideas on install and input on things to consider during the project and afterwards. Ive seen a few things out there (On G.G) but nothing detailed and all contained in one thread concernng this project and end value add discussions here in G.J.. Thanks for helping and looking forward to some ideas and pics.

I did find a YouTube video that was interesting for anyone thats interested:

http://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-2954.html

 

[Pharmteck]

I have this

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200455486_200455486

 

[jonesmechanical]

The style of hoist in the video is spendy. I am about done with my hoist and garage addition. I just need to wire up the retractable switch setup to get it up and running finally.

I wanted to be able to lift over 1000 lbs. So, I was on the hunt for a hoist that would handle 1500-2000lbs.

After tons of research, I ended up buying this combo. It was still over my unrealistic budget. I had no idea this stuff was so expensive.

Hoist:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328855_200328855

Trolley:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200485118_200485118

For less than $600 shipped for both the hoist and power trolley, it was $200 more than my budged (lol), but literally 5 times less than the next cheapest option for a power trolley and hoist.

This combination is recognized as a compatible fit, but it's as if both this trolley and hoist are designed together because the trolley comes with the angle hardware to fit the cable hoist perfectly.

I used a 3" wide x 5" tall I beam. Its a 2 story addition, and the hoist sits at the the ridge point, about 24' off the ground. I have a modular 6" wide plank floor (that covers a 5'x9' hole) that is rated to 400 lbs per sq ft that is very light weight and easy to remove. Even with the hoist utilizing the pulley, it can still has enough cable to reach down to rig things up.

Here are some pics:

The only complain about both the hoist and trolley, is that the control chords are only a few feet long. Totally crazy. I didn't mind because I knew that I wanted to built a custom retractable cord setup that could be easily pulled down to the lower level with out any effort or disarray.

 

[dg-garage]

The style of hoist in the video is spendy. I am about done with my hoist and garage addition. I just need to wire up the retractable switch setup to get it up and running finally.

I wanted to be able to lift over 1000 lbs. So, I was on the hunt for a hoist that would handle 1500-2000lbs.

After tons of research, I ended up buying this combo. It was still over my unrealistic budget. I had no idea this stuff was so expensive.

Hoist:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200328855_200328855

Trolley:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200485118_200485118

For less than $600 shipped for both the hoist and power trolley, it was $200 more than my budged (lol), but literally 5 times less than the next cheapest option for a power trolley and hoist.

This combination is recognized as a compatible fit, but it's as if both this trolley and hoist are designed together because the trolley comes with the angle hardware to fit the cable hoist perfectly.

I used a 3" wide x 5" tall I beam. Its a 2 story addition, and the hoist sits at the the ridge point, about 24' off the ground. I have a modular 6" wide plank floor (that covers a 5'x9' hole) that is rated to 400 lbs per sq ft that is very light weight and easy to remove. Even with the hoist utilizing the pulley, it can still has enough cable to reach down to rig things up.

Here are some pics:

The only complain about both the hoist and trolley, is that the control chords are only a few feet long. Totally crazy. I didn't mind because I knew that I wanted to built a custom retractable cord setup that could be easily pulled down to the lower level with out any effort or disarray.

Very nice, very similiar to what I want to do. How did you secure your beam? Could not really tell by the pics? Looks very nice and really like your equipment.

 

[jonesmechanical]

Very nice, very similiar to what I want to do. How did you secure your beam? Could not really tell by the pics? Looks very nice and really like your equipment.

I really think that northern tool is basically an importer like Harbor Freight, just with a bit more high end selection. The hoist you listed in your original thread is identical to mine, but the one northern tool sells is even a bit heavier duty (horsepower, diameter of cable etc). The challenge you will find with the trolleys, all of them are designed for for a single point attachment, and the balance point of these cable hoists are not inherently balanced. One could easily design a rig to connect this style of hoist, but when I noticed the trolley I purchased, it was obvious is was for it.

As far as attaching the I beam, 16" on center I drilled holes into the top flange and then took lag bolts up into the glue lam beam above it. The Glue Lam beam is designed for 2000 lbs live load in addition to the structural loads. the 3x5 I beam I selected was just to give a track for the trolley. What I still need to do is attach some angle iron to each end of the I beam that will give each end of the beam a vertical ledge support. That angle iron will then lag into the girder trusses. I would have been more ideal to get this done before sheetrock, but It was a detail that got missed before that I knew wouldn't be an issue at all to solve after sheetrock.

I don't like the idea of the vertical lags supporting the load, but along with the angle ledges, it will be more than enough. I really need to contact my structural engineer to see what would be the best thing to do.

 

[dg-garage]

I really think that northern tool is basically an importer like Harbor Freight, just with a bit more high end selection. The hoist you listed in your original thread is identical to mine, but the one northern tool sells is even a bit heavier duty (horsepower, diameter of cable etc). The challenge you will find with the trolleys, all of them are designed for for a single point attachment, and the balance point of these cable hoists are not inherently balanced. One could easily design a rig to connect this style of hoist, but when I noticed the trolley I purchased, it was obvious is was for it.

As far as attaching the I beam, 16" on center I drilled holes into the top flange and then took lag bolts up into the glue lam beam above it. The Glue Lam beam is designed for 2000 lbs live load in addition to the structural loads. the 3x5 I beam I selected was just to give a track for the trolley. What I still need to do is attach some angle iron to each end of the I beam that will give each end of the beam a vertical ledge support. That angle iron will then lag into the girder trusses. I would have been more ideal to get this done before sheetrock, but It was a detail that got missed before that I knew wouldn't be an issue at all to solve after sheetrock.

I don't like the idea of the vertical lags supporting the load, but along with the angle ledges, it will be more than enough. I really need to contact my structural engineer to see what would be the best thing to do.

Thanks for the information. Ive got an open attic above my garage that I can access and found some good installation advice for the beam on another board. I plan on using 6'-8' 6x6 Posts across my ceiling to support the beam down in the garage. Unless there are other ideas out there.

 

[gonefirefighting]

I built a gantry on locking casters with a sliding electric hoist. thus I can use it anywhere and tear it down and take it with me when I move.

 

[dg-garage]

I built a gantry on locking casters with a sliding electric hoist. thus I can use it anywhere and tear it down and take it with me when I move.

My space in the garage is pretty limited so will have to mount my beam in the ceiling. Do like the idea of portability in case I ever move but hopefully I can stay put here for awhile.

 

[dg-garage]

Found this pic on a google search. Still trying to decide the best way to mount the beam in the ceiling. If you have some close up pics of your beam mounting please post. Thanks.

 

[dg-garage]

Bump. Does anyone have additional pics of their i-beam install?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

To lift any kind of weight, the beam is going to need its own supports. The building probably cannot handle it. Everyone thinks it easy to just throw up and I beam and its done, but given the spans involved, you need a good sized I beam to lift even a thousand pounds (which I would consider a minimum) and then the weight of the beam, plus the weight of the load and hoist, and very few buildings have anything that will support it.

On top of that if its a fixed beam and not a bridge crane system, you are left with something that only works in one place.

I have a portable gantry crane. It rolls around and I can use it anywhere I can roll it, inside or outside (on the concrete).

In my junky, crowded shop.

This was taken in front of the sellers building.

 

[dg-garage]

To lift any kind of weight, the beam is going to need its own supports. The building probably cannot handle it. Everything thinks it easy to just throw up and I beam and its done, but given the spans involved, you need a good sized I beam to lift even a thousand pounds (which I would consider a minimum) and then the weight of the beam, plus the weight of the load and hoist, and very few buildings have anything that will support it.

On top of that if its a fixed beam and not a bridge crane system, you are left with something that only works in one place.

I have a portable gantry crane. It rolls around and I can use it anywhere I can roll it, inside or outside (on the concrete).

In my junky, crowded shop.

This was taken in front of the sellers building.

Now you have me thinking I may need to go this route. ummmmmmm

 

[BD1]

Hi, might be helpful to post pictures of your ceiling, attic, and or dimensions of space. Depending on room size , direction beam will run, you might be able to support beam with pipe columns on ends of beam in walls on top of foundation resulting in a clear span.

 

[tonyfarson]

dg-garage: I know this is an older thread, but I am preparing to do something very similar. How did you mount the hoist to the beam trolley? Do you have pics of the mounting setup?

Thanks!

 

[Lelandwelds]

THE hook on the hoist goes through the eye on the trolley. There are low headroom versions that have three holes you line up and put a pin through. Get away from cable hoists.

If you study Vestil, etc catalogs and the engineering data sources, you can size a beam. Length kills capacity quickly. Think 4 to 1 or better safety margins. Stick a column under both ends of a beam. Carefully level or you will cuss the thing forever.

If you are in love with cable hoists, try using a HD sliding barn door track. Much easier to mount without columns.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Well, interesting question. I have a friend who has a set up in his garage, and I wonder what you guys think of it. ( I am planning to steal his idea)

He took a pair of overhead sliding barn door tracks and bolted them together, back to back. Then he hung those tracks from the bottom chords of his trusses by placing a 2"x2"x3/8" section of angle iron over 2 of those chords and slinging the barn door track with all-threaded rod. In each barn door track is two door trolleys, then he hung a small hand operated chain fall, or chain hoist, from the four trolleys. The threaded rod is pulling the track up tight to the bottom of the trusses, so it is solid, no movement.

He uses this to lift "things" from the floor, to his bench to work on them. As I recall, the heaviest item he lifts is a 4-wheel ATV, which he puts on the bench to service, change oil, etc.

Now this set up has been there 12 -15 years, with no problems, but I am wondering what the consensus is. I'd like to do the same, but I expect the heaviest thing I'll lift would be a mower deck.

After posting, I thought this might be hijacking, so I moved it to a new thread.

.

 

[tarmy]

Here is mine...

 

[My Old Tools]

Mine. Rated for 2000#. Designed into the building from the beginning. I love it. HF hoist. I lengthened the control cable by using twist lock plugs, same as I use on my 3 phase equipment. Basicly, just a long 3 phase extension cord that plugs into the joist on one end and the control head on the other.