Jeep Hardtop Hoist Mount

[rockcrawler]

So, a while back I was going to try to mount my electric hoist to some ceiling C purlins, but decided against it. There is a 4” wide I-beam ( ~3/16 thick) that I need to mount the hoist to. The problem is that I need the hoist to be level and the beam is angled. I measured it and I’ll need a 2” drop on the higher side to make the hoist level. I’ll need enough room to bolt the “mount bracket” to the beam and then to the hoist. The spread on the bolt holes for the hoist is 3 1/2”, so the mounting holes on the “bracket” will have to be closer together at the beam than they are at the hoist, since the beam is only 4” wide. The bracket will need to be fairly beefy since the hardtop weighs about 200 lbs. plus the weight of the hoist. I’m not exactly sure how to accomplish this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[2oolhound]

You could hang the mounting plates off the appropriate BEAM CLAMPS. For only 200 lbs you could use 3" bolts on the high side and 1" bolts on the low side to level the mount plate.

Check McMaster Carr for the beam clamps. Most beam clamps are already pre-drilled and tapped for threading the bolts in.

 

[rockcrawler]

Thanks, I’ll look into the beam clamps. Anyone think that hanging 200 plus lbs on that beam will bend it or damage it in any way? I would not think so myself, but who knows.

 

[readhead]

I doubt that the beam has any collateral load designed into it. You have single span purlins which in this case is your worst case. I highly suggest against it. If you know the builder and/or the engineer you could get a real answer.

 

[rockcrawler]

I doubt that the beam has any collateral load designed into it. You have single span purlins which in this case is your worst case. I highly suggest against it. If you know the builder and/or the engineer you could get a real answer.

Is there any way I can strengthen that beam to accomplish what I need?

 

[FMB4]

A gantry hoist would likely be the best, and safest, idea imo (if you have the overhead clearance).

 

[readhead]

My best advice is still to consult an engineer. This is not guessing territory. The problem you have is there is no extra support available at the ridge.

 

[readhead]

Do you want to remove the top and then store it or do you want to store it hanging from the roof?

 

[rockcrawler]

I decided to go with the beam clamps. They fit the 1.5” square tube I was using previously and claim to hold a lot more weight than I’ll ever utilize. I spoke with someone at the place that supplies the steel beams to the steel supply by my house, and they stated that the M8 x 10# beams that I have, would have absolutely no issues holding the weight of the top. I plan on keeping the top suspended as I’ve always done in the past.

 

[rockcrawler]

A gantry hoist would likely be the best, and safest, idea imo (if you have the overhead clearance).

This is what I’m trying to avoid. The top is very large and takes up a lot of space. I’m trying to keep as much floor space as possible.