HF shop crane - Anyone experience this?

[Kenwc]

I assembled a newly purchased HF (Pittsburg branded) 2 ton shop crane this weekend. Everything went fine until I got to this. These are the 2 side straps that bolt to the base and then up on the side of the center column. Maybe they gave me straps for a 1 ton or it's just simply drilled wrong.

Wondered if this has happened to anyone else? I'm not sure if I want to deal with HF on this or just make new ones. The holes are too close to re-drill.

Thanks

 

[gtrotter]

Have you tried flipping them?

 

[Vendrell]

Could we see a pic of the entire crane I cant tell but you might have them mounted on the outside instead of the inside witch wouldn't give you enough height.

 

[kursplat]

did you put that center punch mark in the middle of the hole, or did it come that way? if it came that way, (and your sure everything is assymbled correctly), it looks like they drilled for the wrong application

good luck

 

[Kenwc]

I don't have a full Pic right now but mounted inside as they should be.

Flipping them would be a first thought but the distance between the hole would still be the same.

 

[Kenwc]

did you put that center punch mark in the middle of the hole, or did it come that way? if it came that way, (and your sure everything is assymbled correctly), it looks like they drilled for the wrong application

good luck

I didnt make that punch mark and didn't even see it until I took the pic. Funny how it ended up being dead center where I placed the strap for the pic. That punch mark is not where I think a hole should have been anyway.

 

[Vendrell]

That is very odd but i wouldn't put it past the manufacture to mess up on something like that.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Just take it back and exchange it, no point in trying to fix their screw ups...

 

[Kenwc]

That is very odd but i wouldn't put it past the manufacture to mess up on something like that.

Yes and I think tying to go back through HF on something like this after I have 99% of it assembled would be a huge headache. Might be best to just get some steel bar and make new ones.


.....frustrating

 

[Kenwc]

Just take it back and exchange it, no point in trying to fix their screw ups...

Logical but not a desirable option...I'm in a wheelchair and putting one of these together once is enough for me. This is the second one I've assemble...sold my first one a while back and kicked myself since.

This is the new one.

 

[Kyle86]

YES, my 2ton had the EXACT same problem. It took a while to get mine and I did not want to hassle with taking it back so I just cranked up the stick welder and welded them to the bottom section. Then I used a can of rustoleum metallic and it matched perfectly. You would prob think it was made that way.

 

[Kenwc]

YES, my 2ton had the EXACT same problem. It took a while to get mine and I did not want to hassle with taking it back so I just cranked up the stick welder and welded them to the bottom section. Then I used a can of rustoleum metallic and it matched perfectly. You would prob think it was made that way.

Sorry it happened to you too but it's sort of good to know I'm not the only one. No welder here and I don't think and of my buds have a portable. That would be a good fix though.

Thanks

 

[Kyle86]

Yes and I think tying to go back through HF on something like this after I have 99% of it assembled would be a huge headache. Might be best to just get some steel bar and make new ones.


.....frustrating

Yea I was pissed too haha. No need to make new bars or take it back over this little prob, at least they included all the parts haha. Just bolt the straps to the top and then clamp to the bottom rail right where it is supposed to go and weld along the outside and then on the inside and it should be just fine. That's what I did. I tested it by lifting the back of a ford explorer about 5 feet off the ground haha. Used it on a few v6 engines as well. I still might drill ou the center and put the bolts through but it's probally not neccessary.

Like I was saying the new rustoleum dark grey metallic spraypaint is about 6 bucks and matches up extremely well after it dries. I used a little steel wool to blend it. Maybe I will take some pics if I get a chance, but I think it turned out really well and only about $10 for materials plus I did not have to hassle with dissassembly, gas to get back to hf, waiting for a new one to come in that may have the same problem anyways. Just make shure you get good penetration.

 

[Kyle86]

Sorry it happened to you too but it's sort of good to know I'm not the only one. No welder here and I don't think and of my buds have a portable. That would be a good fix though.

Thanks

Oh dang sorry. Well I have another idea. That pic you have above, why not just clamp the straps in that position and then drill a new hole right like that?

 

[Bob C]

If you leave all the bolts loose till you get it all assembled, then tighten the bolts it may work. Cheap cranes under $300 seem to have that problem alot.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Logical but not a desirable option...I'm in a wheelchair and putting one of these together once is enough for me. This is the second one I've assemble...sold my first one a while back and kicked myself since

Makes sense. Have you thought about going back to HF and seeing if it is an issue with the strap? If it is, and isn't an issue with the hole being in the wrong place, I'm sure you can convince them to just trade you the part.

 

[Kenwc]

Makes sense. Have you thought about going back to HF and seeing if it is an issue with the strap? If it is, and isn't an issue with the hole being in the wrong place, I'm sure you can convince them to just trade you the part.

I do intend to give them a call to and take my chances on who I end up with on the phone....if I get someone on the phone that understands the situation and has a solution great....but I'f not...it's pretty easy and cheap to just order the steel already cut to length from speedymetals.com and drill them myself.

You pretty much know what you're getting into when you purchase from HF....its just a roll of the dice as to what the surprises will be.

I just wanted to know if this has happened to someone else and looks like it has...fun fun...

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[Kenwc]

If you leave all the bolts loose till you get it all assembled, then tighten the bolts it may work. Cheap cranes under $300 seem to have that problem alot.

Thanks Bob but already tried my newly purchased on Harry Epstein day 36" pry bar and the holes are just too far off.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

You pretty much know what you're getting into when you purchase from HF....its just a roll of the dice as to what the surprises will be.

Truer words have not been spoken. Glad at least you already know it.

Hope it all works out with HF, or the metal shop...

 

[MechanicNamedJohn]

I have seen it before, but not that bad... Not sure if this will help, but do not tighten any bolts until all bolts and nuts are in their place.

Never mind, should read all the posts before, I was beaten to it.

 

[chris142]

Why don't you grab some metal from the hardware store,cut em and drill em to match the existing holes?

 

[Kyle86]

The metal straps are like 3/16" thick and around 2.5-3 feet long. Buying them would probably cost around 25 or 30 bucks from a hardware store. Then they need to be bent to a certain angle since the mounting locations are offset. Then they will have to be drilled out to about a 3/4" because the bolts are pretty damn big. Would take some precise measurements to match the holes already in place. Then he will have to paint it.

Not saying it's not a good idea, just pointing out that it will probably cost him $50 minimum for materials to do it and a bunch of work, which defeats the purpose of buying harbor freight junk in my opinion.

Since the OP does not have a welder, I think the best option is to either take it back, or drill a new hole in the square tubing. The only cost would be a big *** drill bit and no paint would be required. Plus the hole is already centerpunched! haha

Honestly the only reason I welded mine was because I didn't have a drill bit big enough, and taking it back to the store would have been a total PITA.

 

[pipsters]

Make absolutely sure you put everything together correctly. Mine looked liked that until I flipped them and did something else, can't remember what, was a couple years ago. I bet you just put something on backwards.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

The metal straps are like 3/16" thick and around 2.5-3 feet long. Buying them would probably cost around 25 or 30 bucks from a hardware store. Then they need to be bent to a certain angle since the mounting locations are offset. Then they will have to be drilled out to about a 3/4" because the bolts are pretty damn big. Would take some precise measurements to match the holes already in place. Then he will have to paint it.

Not saying it's not a good idea, just pointing out that it will probably cost him $50 minimum for materials to do it and a bunch of work, which defeats the purpose of buying harbor freight junk in my opinion.

Since the OP does not have a welder, I think the best option is to either take it back, or drill a new hole in the square tubing. The only cost would be a big *** drill bit and no paint would be required. Plus the hole is already centerpunched! haha

Honestly the only reason I welded mine was because I didn't have a drill bit big enough, and taking it back to the store would have been a total PITA.

I like that idea..

 

[BD1]

Call them and explain your situation. Let them know that being in a wheelchair is not the easiest way to get there and if someone working there is in the area that maybe able to exchange it. Talk to the manager and if he can't help ask him for corporate number and see what he says. There are still people who care about people and are considerate.

 

[Kenwc]

I called HF this morning and asked to speak to someone familiar with assembling one of these and I could only understand about every 4th word he said but piecing them together I think he said...bring it in and get another one....this is not worth the effort so I'm just going to make my own. Getting the material is easy...I can make the bends using the originals as a guide and a BFH.....I've got center punches that cover up to 1-1/2" so getting the holes right is easy.

I just hate losing all this time. I have a HF dust collector, a HF 1,000 pound scissor lift table and once before I had another HF shop crane. All those other things were/are perfect. Guess I pushed my luck with them a little too far on this one.

 

[mayday0017]

hm... mine doesn't like up worth a dang if I bolt the upright down to the base first. I have to put everything together loose then put the supports on you are having problems with. Once they are on (not cranked down but hand tight) I then tighten the upright. Then go back and tighten everything else... Fits like a glove and pulls tension on the supports you are having problems with. Give that a shot before you go through to much trouble. It might work on yours or it might not, mine isn't a HF unit but design is the same.

 

[Hiball]

did you put that center punch mark in the middle of the hole, or did it come that way? if it came that way, (and your sure everything is assymbled correctly), it looks like they drilled for the wrong application

good luck

Surely they wouldnt have a mounting hole that far off Center, I wonder (as others) if you dont have something Reversed/Flipped. Dunno.. Maybe the Little Chinese kid was having a bad day... LOL. Maybe you can find a Friend or Good Neighbor who can help you Return it?

 

[Bob C]

Are you trying to mount the flat bars on the outside or inside at the bottom? I think they need to be on the inside at the bottom.

 

[Kenwc]

...UPDATE: I thought I'd give HF 1 more chance so I actually called their tech line which I had never done. To my surprise I reached a "tech" within 3 minutes and he knew what I was talking about and what he said lends credence to what others said above but was just hard for me to accept. And yes Mayday...you got it.

He said...to loosen the two bolts that hold the center mast to the base enough to line up the strap holes and snug the bolt in and then tighten the base bolts. He even said it sounded crazy to him but that's what his engineering types tell him.

I asked him if this was a change because my first shop crane was not made like this and he said yes it was a change.

So....sorry for the crying wolf aspect of the post and I fully expect to go look at the instructions for the first time and see this very thing...

 

[Bob C]

...UPDATE: I thought I'd give HF 1 more chance so I actually called their tech line which I had never done. To my surprise I reached a "tech" within 3 minutes and he knew what I was talking about and what he said lends credence to what others said above but was just hard for me to accept. And yes Mayday...you got it.

He said...to loosen the two bolts that hold the center mast to the base enough to line up the strap holes and snug the bolt in and then tighten the base bolts. He even said it sounded crazy to him but that's what his engineering types tell him.

I asked him if this was a change because my first shop crane was not made like this and he said yes it was a change.

So....sorry for the crying wolf aspect of the post and I fully expect to go look at the instructions for the first time and see this very thing...

I said that too.

 

[mayday0017]

Glad to see yah got it fixed up!

 

[Zrexxer]

I had a similar problem on a Northern Tool hoist. Seems to be endemic to all the Chinese hoists for some reason.

 

[mayday0017]

I had a similar problem on a Northern Tool hoist. Seems to be endemic to all the Chinese hoists for some reason.

It is the design intent, has nothing to do with anything else... It preloads the supports so they don't give any making the unit stronger. It is NOT a "Problem" it is a "Solution"....

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Glad it all got worked out.
Never bad to post about it on here, now it'll be in the archives for someone else having the issue to get it resolved in the future.

 

[Kenwc]

I don't feel so bad now....I scoured the instructions and there was no mention of anything close to the process described by the HF tech. But as soon as I heard the word tensioning I understood.

 

[Kyle86]

Well dang my instruction manual didn't say jack about this. Honestly seems crazy that the metal will stretch THAT amount but I guess it's possible. Please come back and post if it works out for you.

 

[Kenwc]

Well dang my instruction manual didn't say jack about this. Honestly seems crazy that the metal will stretch THAT amount but I guess it's possible. Please come back and post if it works out for you.

Yea I'll update after it's done provided I'm not maimed or killed when those high grade/high quality HF bolts snap.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I don't feel so bad now....I scoured the instructions and there was no mention of anything close to the process described by the HF tech. But as soon as I heard the word tensioning I understood.

It is mentioned in the instruction not to tighten the bolts until full assembled...

 

[Kenwc]

It is mentioned in the instruction not to tighten the bolts until full assembled...

Granted it says those things......however it's counterintuitive to assemble something even while not fully tightening bolts to have a part with a bolt hole 1 inch off. You pretty much have to find out the hard way like I did that you need to leave the two bolts at the bottom of the center mast so loose that it can flop all over the place which is just about what it will do to meet the upper holes until the bolt is inserted and all bolts tightened. If this is a new tensioning process as the HF tech states perhaps the instructions should state that.