Jeff F
Well-known member
Moving into a new (to me, built in 1890) barn that will be my garage/shop. It is 2 levels, and I'm looking for creative options for how to move heavier items up to the 2nd floor. I'd think max load would be less than 1000lbs for something like a fully dressed engine and I'm assuming that I would use a pallet or similar for moving items that aren't easily lifted directly. 2nd level is about 9' off the floor. There are a lot of possibilities and looking for some input and additional ideas.
1. It already has this boom type device that rotates. The arm is an I-beam so I should be able to get a trolley lift arrangement for it. The question is what does the rigging look like that I would use to lift a pallet? I'm imagining chains at each corner with some type of spreaders to make the chains go straight up from the pallet and not interfere with the cargo. Is there some sort of standard basket or platform for doing this that isn't an expensive industrial piece? I've found a few types of devices for doing this, but not familiar with all the options. Height of the contraption is a factor, since the boom is limited height so I can't have really long chains and still make it high enough.
1a. I'd also consider a gantry to replace the boom. That would be useful for lifting engines out of cars and have more flexible positioning. Would need the same kind of rigging as #1.
2. I expect that I will end up getting a small tractor for various jobs. I could potentially get one with a loader/fork attachments. I'm having trouble figuring out what size tractor I would need to do this, both for weight and height. This has the advantage of being a good multi-use tool, but I might need to get into something way larger than I would otherwise need to have this capability.
3. There seem to be all sorts of manual lifts and walk-behind forklifts. All look like big, clunky, expensive contraptions for anything sturdy and not requiring manually pumping a cylinder 53,000 times to lift to that height.
4. I could install a more permanent lift/elevator/dumbwaiter type of thing somewhere. Not as convenient for say snatching an engine out of the back of a truck. I haven't found anything suitable. Doesn't seem like a good option for a number of reasons, just throwing it out there.
Any input or additional ideas are appreciated!
1. It already has this boom type device that rotates. The arm is an I-beam so I should be able to get a trolley lift arrangement for it. The question is what does the rigging look like that I would use to lift a pallet? I'm imagining chains at each corner with some type of spreaders to make the chains go straight up from the pallet and not interfere with the cargo. Is there some sort of standard basket or platform for doing this that isn't an expensive industrial piece? I've found a few types of devices for doing this, but not familiar with all the options. Height of the contraption is a factor, since the boom is limited height so I can't have really long chains and still make it high enough.
1a. I'd also consider a gantry to replace the boom. That would be useful for lifting engines out of cars and have more flexible positioning. Would need the same kind of rigging as #1.
2. I expect that I will end up getting a small tractor for various jobs. I could potentially get one with a loader/fork attachments. I'm having trouble figuring out what size tractor I would need to do this, both for weight and height. This has the advantage of being a good multi-use tool, but I might need to get into something way larger than I would otherwise need to have this capability.
3. There seem to be all sorts of manual lifts and walk-behind forklifts. All look like big, clunky, expensive contraptions for anything sturdy and not requiring manually pumping a cylinder 53,000 times to lift to that height.
4. I could install a more permanent lift/elevator/dumbwaiter type of thing somewhere. Not as convenient for say snatching an engine out of the back of a truck. I haven't found anything suitable. Doesn't seem like a good option for a number of reasons, just throwing it out there.
Any input or additional ideas are appreciated!
