Adding trolley to existing basement I beam.

[heynicebits]

I am recovering from a back injury and would like to move some stuff around in my basement - nothing weighing more than 80lbs. It would be mainly to lift item to a height where I could slide a dolly or table under. I have read a lot of threads on hoists in particular and everyone cautions from a structural perspective. I'd rather be safe than sorry - of course but would the something under 150lbs put a lot of strain to a small beam?

Beam is about 4" flange, with lally columns every 10ft. Total span is around 50ft. I would only lift near a lally column regardless. What do you think?

 

[454ragtop]

Wouldn't worry about it at all for anything weighing less than 200 lbs. Figure it must be rated to hold as many people as you could fit in the room above it, so 200 won't matter, hell 500 lbs shouldn't matter.
HTH, Jim (who knows all about bad backs, have AS)

 

[rsanter]

I would not worry about it unless you have so much on the floor above that you are a hoarder....
And BTW, I have a couple extra of those trollies if you are interested

Bob

 

[NUTTSGT]

150 lbs, I wouldn't sweat that.

 

[kelpaso1]

Ahh, well... Grab the beam and lift yourself up. If you're a 150 pounds or better and the beam doesn't break, what's the problem??

 

[kelpaso1]

Hell, a 8 foot 2X4 laid on it's flat supported on the ends will hold 150 pounds.

 

[The Cobbler]

imagine 2 heavy guys hanging off the beam at 250 lbs each. I don't think it would stress the beam. for what you're lifting, weight is a non issue

 

[toplessHO]

if you really have an doubt then add a second temporary column on the other side of hoist.
I have one made of 4 inch aluminum pipe,threaded on both ends with an X plate welded to
a coupling.I just adjust height to a snug fit and hoist away.

 

[ishiboo]

It's 100% fine. You can safely lift 500 lbs in the middle without concern. You don't need to be by a lolly column.

 

[bmlu263]

I have a trolley in my shop and i lift loads less than 1500 lbs using a electric hoist on a 20 ft 4" steel I beam it is hanging from angle welded to the trusses at the peak. I havent had any problem and there are only three trusses with 2"x2" angle welded to the top of the 20 ft I beam. I dont think you would have any problems at all.

 

[drajad11]

I think the idea that is good.good luck