Looking for suggestion.

[smooth72]

I want to put a 40' s10 x 25 I beam in my garage for a hoist and to support the ceiling for a second floor conversion into a bedroom. The beam will weigh 1000 lbs. I will have to get whatever I use to lift the beam through my garage doors. The ceiling is 12 feet high. I wish I had thought of this when I built the house. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[krooser]

Rent a forklift and get some buddies over...

 

[Uncle Buck]

When you rent the forklift turn the forks upside down on the mast if the machine will allow it. Then securely clamp the beam to the upside down forks and raise the beam right into place, once in place weld/bolt or both and you are good to go. I know that turning fork tines upside down used to work on some of the old model forklifts cause we did this a time or two, I just do not know if this can still be done on the newer models. Good luck!

 

[smooth72]

Thanks for the info. I was trying to figure out how to get the beam flat up on the ceiling do to the fact that the fork lift has part of it that sticks up above the forks.

 

[MXtras]

40' long with a standard width forklift is going to be interesting!

I can't speak from first hand experience with this exact situation, but I am guessing you will need more than one lift. A 40' I-beam is going to handle like a noodle - especially at 25 pounds per foot. If the beam rolls on the forks, it will noodle and could cause some serious damage or injury. I would make sure you brace it to keep it from rolling over or scooting around on the forks.

I can't think of a better way - I think a forklift sounds like the best option. If the forks won't flip, then I am thinking you may be able to build a sturdy box structure to get the beam above the backstop of the mast.

Scott

 

[Uncle Buck]

As I think about it 40' is a heck of a span for one forklift, not for weight, but as MXtras points out for control. As I recall, when I was involved with doing this we had no more than 20' lengths. You could always have your beam cut into two 20' lengths with gussets, tabs and bolt holes fabricated to the mating ends, then lift each section seperately, bolt togeather and finish it with some stong welds. (Better be a Damn good welder!)

 

[Cebby]

Cut a hole in the side of the garage and swing it in with a crane and suppport it low rise gantry type a-frames to roll it into place.

 

[krooser]

40' is no problem as long as you center the load. I haul wood beams and pipe in lengths as long as 55' and they are handled with a single forklift. Did it today, as a matter of fact.

You may want to lift one end first...get it set as high as you can on the post that it will be fastened to...then go to the other side...you may want to do it in increments...good luck

 

[avsfan733]

you might wanna look into renting a scissor lift and just folding down the rails then lifting the carraig....more width on the lifting area then a forklift i would think. hope you got some great way of attaching it like a couple serious footings

 

[smooth72]

you might wanna look into renting a scissor lift and just folding down the rails then lifting the carraig....more width on the lifting area then a forklift i would think. hope you got some great way of attaching it like a couple serious footings

Thanks for all the suggestion. I am going to cut a hole in the concrete and dig down to make a deeper footing on both ends by the garage walls. I will also dow rod this footing into the house footing with rebar. I am thinking about digging down @ +18"( Oklahoma's freeze line) filling it halfway, then place the I beam with steel pipe, with plates welded on them, for poles to support it. After placement I would fill the remaining footing up to garage floor level. Also to help prevent any side movment I am going to tie in the support pole with the garage framing.