Ideas needed for lifting precast concrete panels

[Zebedeewesty]

My garage is being built out of precast steel reinforced concrete panels approx 45" wide by 28" high. Each weighing about 80lbs or so.
The 2nd row is easy enough as the panels only needed lifting 28" off the ground.
The top row is 56" off the ground and i'm at a bit of a loss about how to lift them.
They fit like this incase anyone hasn't seen my build thread.


I thought about borrowing my neighbours transit pickup to use as a platform but wondered if anyone has any better ideas.

 

[rslaback]

Would a drywall jack work? Hoist it up then slide it off and tip it up?

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Maybe, but not sure i'd like to try it with 80lbs of concrete on one. They don't look particularly strong.

 

[MadMechMaster]

The lifting doesn't seem to be a problem for you. Rent or build a platform. You might need one on each side.

 

[jimp]

12' drywall weighs just under 80 lbs. and I have used lifts for 16' all the time so the weight would not be a problem.

Not trying to be a ****, but why don't you just get a buddy and lift them, I do 12' drywall by myself all the time at 48". It seems that with two of you that extra 8" should not be much of a problem.

 

[ishiboo]

12' drywall weighs just under 80 lbs. and I have used lifts for 16' all the time so the weight would not be a problem.

Not trying to be a ****, but why don't you just get a buddy and lift them, I do 12' drywall by myself all the time at 48". It seems that with two of you that extra 8" should not be much of a problem.

5/8 12' is over 100 lbs... ask the tailgate on my old short box.

 

[BlackTalon]

How thick are these panels? Based on dimensions you provided a 2 inch thick panel would be over 200 lbs. and I would find it hard to believe they could be much thinner than that.

Did you look along the top edge to see if there were embedded lifting anchors recessed in pockets that may have been covered over with grout? (i.e., look for a couple small patches)

But even without lift eyes, they should be light enough that a couple people could lift them.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Even if you have a "sky hook" how are you going to attach the panel ? You really need something like this.

As for your "sky hook", get a couple of >= 16' 2x6s. Drill a hole near one end of each and run a bolt through both of them, just tight enough so that you can still swing the opposite ends apart. (You can use a lashing if you were a Boy Scout and remember how to do them.) You may or may not need the bottom cross brace. (Best image I can find.)

Place this on the OUTSIDE of the wall and secure it.. Double up/"sister" 2 more long 2x6s and lay it in the notch at the top with only 1-2' overhanging the wall. You know have a fulcrum and lever. Either tie the long end of the lever down to the ground and attach a pulley to the short end, or use it as a lever and fulcrum. You need to make some kind of "loose" connection between the lever and the notch so the the lever does not slip.

Still not a 1 man job !



Case of beer, 2-4 friends, some old wood pallets stacked up ...

 

[Zebedeewesty]

The panels are 1.5" thick with 4mm rebar inside them. I can just about lift one on my own so maybe they do weight more than 80lbs.
Theres no lifting hooks in them.

My mates seem to shy away from physical work so finding someone to help is a PITA.

I think i can borrow a scaffold tower off a mate to create a platform a few feet high which should do the trick.

 

[jkwilson]

Wrap two straps around them and clamp pipes with pulleys on top to your upright beams. Winch or lift the panels into place with ropes, and put a couple of wooden wedges under the panel. Lower the panel onto the wedges, turn the retainers into place and remove the straps. Ease the wedges out and tighten the retainers.

 

[Lippyp]

Lifting them in stages is the way to go, you can even slide them up an inclined plank secured at the top if that helps. It's still really a two man lift though if you want to be safe. Last thing you want is to drop one as they bust pretty easily (as do feet and legs!)

One easy way to do it is to get hold of some old pallets and use them to make a series of steps up to the right height.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Gonna be borrowing part of a scaffold tower in the new year to make a 3ft high platform to work from.

 

[stafford]

if it were me I'd build a set of steps, 3 steps to be exact and set it up where you need to use them get one of your mates to help, pick up the panel walk up the steps and put it in place. move the steps to the next area and repeat.

 

[Corsair4360]

Go down to the local pub where bricklayers and laborers hang out. Buy them some beer or other spirits in exchange for the muscle.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Used scaffold tower today and lifted the panels onto that then into position.