Gas Cylinder Lifting Device

[PMAC]

Hi all - I am looking for a solution for lifting a gas cylinder onto a Miller weld unit. We have some older welders that manhandling the cylinder just isn't that safe anymore. We use a chained dolly to get it to the welder - but then have to lift it on. Does anyone have experience with the device pictured. We would require 2 people - which isn't a problem.

Just wondering if they slip or are cumbersome to use. They run about $135. Would appreciate any input! I should note that some of the welding booths are pretty tight, so using a motorized lift isn't an option.

BTW - have a great weekend! Should be a spectacular one in Minnesota!

 

[matt_i]

I would go for a setup which uses an internal threaded ring same as in the normal transport cap.

Thread it on, lift with stationary rigging, a small 3" I-beam ought to do the job (channels, square tubes, you'd have to size your own support structure members). Even back-to-back unistrut might be sufficient for small spans.

Being that its a gas bottle and you really don't want to drop it from height, it would be worthwhile to have a backup safety. Something like a ratcheting web strap plus a sleeve of anti-slip material (tool drawers, under area rugs, etc) placed over and clamped around the circumference of the bottle OD as a secondary support down below.

You'd want it all proof tested and possibly magnafluxed regularly to preserve compliance.

 

[bdbecker]

Would you post up the name of that product or a link? I'd be interested in looking into something similar for our shop.

 

[joe49]

How high you got to lift, and what size cylinder? Not very high, and right next to were it goes. Use a rope clove hitch at middle of cylinder, under a arm up your back to opposite shoulder over and down to just above first clove hitch squat a little more than the distance you need to lift, tie a second clove hitch. Stand to lift. A small 8' X 1'' web sling and both ends choked around cylinder is even easier. Want to use two people, clove hitch 1' lower then hands at sides loop rope around wrists and twisted in hand, steady bottle top with off hands. Lift.

 

[BigMike782]

I move hundreds of cylinders a week. I would NEVER use the neck ring to lift a cylinder. I have seen cylinders with neck rings so bad a cap barely stays threaded on for transport.
My .02.....that and a buck and half will get you a cup of coffee.

 

[laser3kw]

I move hundreds of cylinders a week. I would NEVER use the neck ring to lift a cylinder. I have seen cylinders with neck rings so bad a cap barely stays threaded on for transport.
My .02.....that and a buck and half will get you a cup of coffee.

x2
never

 

[matt_i]

We have to ask why the threads can't be used. A ~3" thread @ 75% is probably good for 25,000 lbs of axial loads....the gas cylinder's weight is 100x less than that.

Seems like the threads are (poorly) rolled into the cap rather than machined (?) or its a loose pitch diameter on the female thread with a lot of clearance in it (like a 20% or 30% thread) to promote easy installation.

I think if a person cared to pitch-wire the threadform and then used that info to machine a ring that fit to a 75% clearance then it would all work well. Worst case would have to make a male thread gage to the pitch dia measured with wires in order to test the female threadform as it was machined.

If a person still wasn't satisfied, set out to make the threaded ring also a 2pc shaft collar secured with socket heads, hex heads or wing-bolts.

I feel certain with a little attention to detail it can be done safely.

 

[snyder]

I have seen bottles that hardly had any threads on them. Had to be careful just rolling the tanks around.
If your a welding shop, i,would think it would be simple just to fab a hinge mounted ramp on your bottle stand.

 

[claas880]

what about a lifting cart like this
https://www.usasafety.com/1-cylinder-caddy-tm-flat-free-tires-gas-cylinder-lifting-hand-truck.html

 

[BD1]

As mentioned a short 1'' wide nylon sling gets my vote. One slng will work but might be easier with two slings depending who's lifting.
As for lifting by the neck threads....

 

[laser3kw]

We have to ask why the threads can't be used. A ~3" thread @ 75% is probably good for 25,000 lbs of axial loads....the gas cylinder's weight is 100x less than that.

Seems like the threads are (poorly) rolled into the cap rather than machined (?) or its a loose pitch diameter on the female thread with a lot of clearance in it (like a 20% or 30% thread) to promote easy installation.

I think if a person cared to pitch-wire the threadform and then used that info to machine a ring that fit to a 75% clearance then it would all work well. Worst case would have to make a male thread gage to the pitch dia measured with wires in order to test the female threadform as it was machined.

If a person still wasn't satisfied, set out to make the threaded ring also a 2pc shaft collar secured with socket heads, hex heads or wing-bolts.

I feel certain with a little attention to detail it can be done safely.

It is not the mechanical failure of the neck threads to the cap or in this case, the purposed lifting device that is the underlying concern.

Have you seen the smaller cylinders with no neck ring? All cylinders are actually like that.The "neck ring" is just that an addition to the actual cylinder. It is not bonded to the cylinder at all. It is dropped over the "neck" of the cylinder and the slightly deformed to afix it to the cylinder. I have seen the neck ring come off with very little effort. While most of them are secure enough to hold the cap, they could break the deformed holding it and pull off.

 

[Graham08]

Would this work?

http://stronghandtools.com/stronghandtools/products/shop-tools/gas-cylinder-cart/

I've never used one to know if they work as advertised, but it seems like a pretty simple solution.

I dread moving my 300 CF cylinders. The bear hug method of lifting them onto the welder is getting old.