Jib Crane attached to rolling table?

[Perrorojo]

I'm betting someone has one in a shop.

I looked through 7-8 pages of threads about jib/gantry cranes and didn't see any.

After my back surgery I've realized how light 30lbs is. Even when fully healed the doctors have said never more than 70lb again. That's really limiting to a guy like me that mostly works alone and hopes to work for another 20 years.

Shortly after my surgery I drilled out this little table and I had to use my engine hoist to carry the mag drill to it.

That got me thinking that I'm not going to be able to lift a big vise or cylinder head onto it without that stupid hoist.

I've got too low of a ceiling for a bridge/gantry crane.

So, do any of you have pictures of cranes attached to mobile work station or fab table you liked to post?

I wonder if I could mount a slightly used DR excavator arm to one end and add a thumb?

 

[cderalow]

build a framed gantry hoist with a cantilever off one end onto it?

 

[rsanter]

Does the ceiling have a strong beam?
If so mount a pully to the beam and the winch off the side.
That will take very little headroom to do
Then you can back in with the truck, lift things up and roll a cart or the table under the thing.
The mounted winch in my shop is the best thing ever for working alone and I have back troubles too.

This morning I lifted a whole car body to put on a rolling cart

 

[Perrorojo]

Does the ceiling have a strong beam?
If so mount a pully to the beam and the winch off the side.
That will take very little headroom to do
Then you can back in with the truck, lift things up and roll a cart or the table under the thing.
The mounted winch in my shop is the best thing ever for working alone and I have back troubles too.

This morning I lifted a whole car body to put on a rolling cart

It's 40 x 40 with rafters every 4'. Rafter height is 9' but all the wiring and lights are hung underneath.

Looks like this:

I've got equipment if I have to pick up something real bad I'd like to be able to pick something from the bed of the truck or floor and take it right to a work surface without moving too much. For example, I have an old FE manifold with carb on the floor that I need to disassemble and clean. it would be awesome to pick it up and swing it onto and tear it apart.

 

[Perrorojo]

build a framed gantry hoist with a cantilever off one end onto it?

I thought about adding a gantry to a table but I'm worried about it being top heavy and I don't really want posts on the corners to get in the way. That's why i was thinking about a jib on one end.

 

[BukitCase]

This one's a modded HF "pickup crane", mounted to a steel table about the same size as yours; no casters, and one side is wedged under the end of my 900# weld table. The trolley lets me pick up "long" and set down on the table "short" - can't do that with the stock telescoping crane.

I have about 50 more pics showing initial build, design, including "version two" with electric hoist -

This would involve cut/weld/etc, and I don't know what your tools/experience are so lemme know if you want more pics and I'll sort out the 20 or so most relevant... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

BTW, with your table on casters and NOT wedged under an extra 450# I'd consider some counterweights under the end OPPOSITE the crane :=)

 

[gemniii]

I've attached a HF pickup truck crane to a 2'x4' base made of 2 sheets of 3/4 PT plywood, then moved it around in 2 pieces to different use sites (back of truck, trailer and clamping it in) and lifted up to about 300 lbs with it. Kludgy but worked for cheap.

/edit - Bukitcase beat me to it!

 

[Perrorojo]

BTW, with your table on casters and NOT wedged under an extra 450# I'd consider some counterweights under the end OPPOSITE the crane :=)

I will probably build another table or attach the two I have to each other. I have two 4x4 tables that could be stuck together. I'd guess they're 3-400lb each. I couldn't lift an end of one when I was healthy. I also have a 4000" table outside that was the base to a large press.

 

[BukitCase]

No prob gemniii, I'm usually a LOT slower than that

My (possible, eventual) version of "mobile" is to add 3 point hitch hardware to that table for "field work" - both my smaller 45 horse tractors have quick hitches on 'em, so that combo would kinda give me a combination "tank retrieval" rig and/or "work on it right there" rig ...Steve

 

[BukitCase]

See what I mean? I can't even TYPE as fast as I useta - so more pics, or not?? :=)

 

[Perrorojo]

No prob gemniii, I'm usually a LOT slower than that

My (possible, eventual) version of "mobile" is to add 3 point hitch hardware to that table for "field work" - both my smaller 45 horse tractors have quick hitches on 'em, so that combo would kinda give me a combination "tank retrieval" rig and/or "work on it right there" rig ...Steve

My father in law bought a little industrial forklift and cut the boom off. He mounted the solid wheels to the base of the boom and runs the lift with the tractor hydraulics. He can set it down and use the tractor as a counterweight if the load is too heavy for the 3 point.

 

[Mechtech]

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200672544_200672544

Could probably use something like this pretty easily if you're looking at attaching it to a table.

 

[OneOfEm]

I'm in a very similar situation as you after a broken shoulder surgery and four broken vertebrae from an accident.

I use an engine hoist for things 200# plus, and I picked up a used Hoyer lift on CL for items up to 200#. It's quite a bit easier to maneuver and use than the engine hoist.

I know that doesn't exactly answer your question, but it's another option.

 

[BukitCase]

I looked at a LOT of options, but NONE would allow me to pick something fairly bulky at somewhat of a distance from the table, then swing it around and set it CLOSE to the pivot point where I wanted it; IOW, the others (by design) mandated that if you pick it up at a given boom length then THAT determines the radius from the pivot point that's available to set it on the table. Cherry picker types all need to be able to roll UNDER where you're setting the load, ALSO not an option for my application.

Some of the above are not always a concern, but it was for ME often enough to be worth the time/effort to build something to MY specs (I woulda liked the jib LONGER, but where it sits now it's as big/tall as it can be and still clear OTHER obstructions) - bottom line, my BACK likes it therefore so do I

BTW, here's "V2.0"... Steve

 

[BukitCase]

I noticed the crane in link (post#13) makes you remove the bolt that holds the lift chain and relocate it in another hole, rather than just un-pin/re-pin a telescoping inner piece - personally, that'd last maybe 5 minutes before I either shipped it back or fired up a welder or plasma...

Curiosity got the better of me so I checked ALL of Northern's "truck" cranes - some interesting ideas...
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_material-handling+hoists-lifts-cranes+truck-cranes

HTH... Steve

 

[matt_i]

Depending on how the setup is, I'd consider a monorail built into (above!) the bench that overhangs 1 or 2 sides. Something like a 3" or 4" I-beam (S4 x7.7, etc) supported by a U-shaped frame so the I-beam is "underhung" and a trolley can pass.

Jervis B Webb or "Webb" makes an excellent hand-pushed trolley in 1/2 and 3/4 ton capacities that are super free rolling and have side-guide rollers to keep from scraping the beam. They adapt to different size beams via a system of washers.

Now you have to manage the physics of the moment balance about the casters. Weighting the table down-low on one or both sides will give you the balance you need. Its just like a forklift and you'll need to establish a capacity that has some safety factor.

Just one example, you want to have a lifting capacity of 500# at 3 feet (36") outside of a 4x4 table that has a 3/4" thick steel top. I'm considering the legs negligible for simplicity. The table top weighs (48 x 48 x 0.75) x .283 lb/in^3 = 490 lbs.

So we take 500# x 36" = 18000 in-ibs. Which is resisted by 490# x 24" = 11760 in-lbs. So now we need at minimum 6240 in-lbs but lets make it 9600 in-lbs for some safety factor and the nice number. So the legs that are 48" away would be needed to weighted with 200# to keep the bench upright. (9600/48)

 

[bad_idea]

Easy solution:

Wrap a sling around a truss and hang a chain fall. If the truss will support you standing on it, it will support 200 lbs hanging off of it. Then put your weld table on wheels. Pick the load up from the bed of the truck, pull truck out, roll table under load, lower load.

If you need to move the load across the shop - pallet jack (or the weld table) and another strap around a truss (to hang a fall at the other end). Anything more than 200 lbs and you probably don't want to rely on a jib crane mounted to the table anyways.

 

[soj]

Depending on how the setup is, I'd consider a monorail built into (above!) the bench that overhangs 1 or 2 sides. Something like a 3" or 4" I-beam (S4 x7.7, etc) supported by a U-shaped frame so the I-beam is "underhung" and a trolley can pass.

Jervis B Webb or "Webb" makes an excellent hand-pushed trolley in 1/2 and 3/4 ton capacities that are super free rolling and have side-guide rollers to keep from scraping the beam. They adapt to different size beams via a system of washers.

Now you have to manage the physics of the moment balance about the casters. Weighting the table down-low on one or both sides will give you the balance you need. Its just like a forklift and you'll need to establish a capacity that has some safety factor.

Just one example, you want to have a lifting capacity of 500# at 3 feet (36") outside of a 4x4 table that has a 3/4" thick steel top. I'm considering the legs negligible for simplicity. The table top weighs (48 x 48 x 0.75) x .283 lb/in^3 = 490 lbs.

So we take 500# x 36" = 18000 in-ibs. Which is resisted by 490# x 24" = 11760 in-lbs. So now we need at minimum 6240 in-lbs but lets make it 9600 in-lbs for some safety factor and the nice number. So the legs that are 48" away would be needed to weighted with 200# to keep the bench upright. (9600/48)

This seems to be the best idea/design yet offered.

If I understand this description right, the I beam extends out 36" from the edge of the table where the lifting will be done. So if it extended out the other side 36" with a stationary winch (no need for a trolley), you could pick up a temporary counter weight to match or exceed the load. Any flaws in that arrangement?
jp

 

[Perrorojo]

Depending on how the setup is, I'd consider a monorail built into (above!) the bench that overhangs 1 or 2 sides. Something like a 3" or 4" I-beam (S4 x7.7, etc) supported by a U-shaped frame so the I-beam is "underhung" and a trolley can pass.

Jervis B Webb or "Webb" makes an excellent hand-pushed trolley in 1/2 and 3/4 ton capacities that are super free rolling and have side-guide rollers to keep from scraping the beam. They adapt to different size beams via a system of washers.

Now you have to manage the physics of the moment balance about the casters. Weighting the table down-low on one or both sides will give you the balance you need. Its just like a forklift and you'll need to establish a capacity that has some safety factor.

Just one example, you want to have a lifting capacity of 500# at 3 feet (36") outside of a 4x4 table that has a 3/4" thick steel top. I'm considering the legs negligible for simplicity. The table top weighs (48 x 48 x 0.75) x .283 lb/in^3 = 490 lbs.

So we take 500# x 36" = 18000 in-ibs. Which is resisted by 490# x 24" = 11760 in-lbs. So now we need at minimum 6240 in-lbs but lets make it 9600 in-lbs for some safety factor and the nice number. So the legs that are 48" away would be needed to weighted with 200# to keep the bench upright. (9600/48)

I used the smaller table as an example but I'll probably use this so I may not need a counter weight.





It's about the right height so I need to figure out how to make it mobile. I want retractable casters so it can sit on the legs. I think I can use the holes in the top for some kind of pivot shaft. The only thing I haven't checked is whether or not the top is hardened and I won't be able to drill through it.

If I'm getting what you're saying it would be a gantry crane with 4 legs where the beam extends past the end of the table. I'm still not set on having legs on each corner which is why I was thinking of a single post in the center with a trolley on the arm.

 

[Perrorojo]

This seems to be the best idea/design yet offered.

If I understand this description right, the I beam extends out 36" from the edge of the table where the lifting will be done. So if it extended out the other side 36" with a stationary winch (no need for a trolley), you could pick up a temporary counter weight to match or exceed the load. Any flaws in that arrangement?
jp

That's how I read it but I thought the trolley would carry a pulley like a crane.

 

[Spencer Was Here]

https://www.skyhookmfr.com

 

[Perrorojo]

Easy solution:

Wrap a sling around a truss and hang a chain fall. If the truss will support you standing on it, it will support 200 lbs hanging off of it. Then put your weld table on wheels. Pick the load up from the bed of the truck, pull truck out, roll table under load, lower load.

If you need to move the load across the shop - pallet jack (or the weld table) and another strap around a truss (to hang a fall at the other end). Anything more than 200 lbs and you probably don't want to rely on a jib crane mounted to the table anyways.

I really really don't want something attached to the rafters. I've got a lot of rough cut lumber up there and I don't want to risk it. Plus, I'm moving stuff around all the time because my organizational skills **** and it'll end up with a Ford under it.

 

[Perrorojo]

https://www.skyhookmfr.com

Should have known to call it a "Skyhook"!

That would do what I want. A little pricey though.

 

[landlord30]

Nice wagon! Whats the story on it?

 

[Perrorojo]

Nice wagon! Whats the story on it?

Was sitting in a field outside Alpine, AZ. I'm pretty sure it was last plated in the early 70's. Runs mediocre and the front suspension and steering is dangerous. It has the factory Borg Warner overdrive which will let me go about 55 but the front end is so sketchy that 40 is about the top of the safe zone.

 

[bullnerd]

Flip through some of the pics on Hester Fabs Instagram. Tons of cool fab stuff.

Including this,

https://www.instagram.com/p/-fQtw_gkxV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

[MushCreek]

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...6HMo2_roh_Q7H5DOJjcGVq1avkRkfgCBoCl1sQAvD_BwE

$600; 7'10" tall at lowest setting. Heck, I might buy one.

 

[Bdgjr215]

Here's my "shop helper"

 

[Perrorojo]

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...6HMo2_roh_Q7H5DOJjcGVq1avkRkfgCBoCl1sQAvD_BwE

$600; 7'10" tall at lowest setting. Heck, I might buy one.

That would just end up in the way for me. Then it would get shoved outside. With the crane on the end of a table it wouldn't be taking up additional floor space.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jmarkwolf]

Here is my jib crane on a cart. They're kinda pricey, but I'm sure you could fabricate one like it from those Harbor Freight pickup truck bed cranes.

It saves my back frequently.

 

[Stuart in MN]

For example, I have an old FE manifold with carb on the floor that I need to disassemble and clean.

Having owned a couple vehicles with FE engines, I feel your pain. Those manifolds weigh about a million pounds.


Another thought would be to get one of those hydraulic lift carts. This is a Harbor Freight model, but there are any number of them from other manufacturers, and you may be able to find a used one. https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html

 

[steel 35]

I noticed the crane in link (post#13) makes you remove the bolt that holds the lift chain and relocate it in another hole, rather than just un-pin/re-pin a telescoping inner piece - personally, that'd last maybe 5 minutes before I either shipped it back or fired up a welder or plasma...

Curiosity got the better of me so I checked ALL of Northern's "truck" cranes - some interesting ideas...
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_material-handling+hoists-lifts-cranes+truck-cranes

HTH... Steve

I found one that would work very well for me! But 5500.

 

[Perrorojo]

Here is my jib crane on a cart. They're kinda pricey, but I'm sure you could fabricate one like it from those Harbor Freight pickup truck bed cranes.

It saves my back frequently.

I don't see a picture.

 

[Perrorojo]

Here's my "shop helper"

I've got a Skidsteer with forks and a Case 580 but I hate driving stuff inside this area. Too many things to dent.

 

[matt_i]

That's quite a table (!) I'm seriously impressed. I was thinking something along the lines of the drilled table

Assuming you want the jib to cover all of the table you'd have to size it for the distance from center-back to the area where the vise sits and then pickup in the front-center.

Just using your 4000# table, lets say its 48" deep front-to-back, You'd be good for something shy of 4000# pickup at 6ft of jib length without any improvement. Obviously assuming the jib itself is good for that much. Its actually not too bad to turn the jib around either if you rolled it out, the counterweight of the table also works in your favor...

 

[bradpac]

They make a type like for receiver hitches in trucks that have outrigger legs for lifting, sometihng like that might work well. no need for outriggers when doing lighter ~100lb stuff, but if you get heavier just extend them down and have that margin of safety.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/MaxxHaul-70238-Hitch-Mount-Hydraulic-Crane/35893912

 

[AndrewHR]

Having owned a couple vehicles with FE engines, I feel your pain. Those manifolds weigh about a million pounds.


Another thought would be to get one of those hydraulic lift carts. This is a Harbor Freight model, but there are any number of them from other manufacturers, and you may be able to find a used one. https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lbs-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html

I have a hydraulic lift cart. I want to figure out a way to mount a detachable jib so I can use as a table or small crane that is height adjustable by raising the cart.

 

[James-W]

I would think the only thing that limits you is your budget for this. The bigger the budget, the more options you will have. I am going to suggest something a bit radical and if you think this is a stupid idea then just ignore me.

There is a National Guard maintenance shop not too far from my house and I worked there for several months many years ago. They had an overhead crane system that was really super nice. Of course that system probably cost several hundred thousand dollars. I am not suggesting that you pay that much for a similar system. What I am suggesting is that you can maybe build a similar system on a much smaller scale for a fraction of the cost. Having a system like that would mean you could lift a heavy object to the h eight you wanted it and move side to side as well as front and back. It would let you move anything you wanted as high as you wanted and to any place in the shop and would do it safely. Of course the cost would be rather high, but you would have a system everyone who saw it would be envious of.

Here is a link to a short video to give you a better idea as to what I am talking about.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/sear...8a103a30dfb240d150855b23ba06c968&action=click

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Here are a couple pics of shop built rolling work benches with cranes. The smaller one still weighs nearly 2 tons but rolls around on concrete just fine on heavy duty casters and I've used it to lift up to about #600 with the crane pointing out away from the table. It set the big ceiling beams in the 2nd pic. My big table has a full out jib crane on it that will easily handle a ton. It had some damn heavy casters under it to get it in the shop and I used jack screws at the corners. I don't know what the big bench weighs anymore as it is stuffed full of steel but it is HEAVY. if you have enough mass in your table mounting a small crane works good. Ed.