Overhead Hoist limitations? Uses?

[wnstwolf]

I have access to a 1 ton electric hoist that is attached to a 20' i beam. Current set up is mobile as it also has 10' high side pieces on casters but my intent is to mount the beam tight to my ceiling height and support it with new longer side steel to make it more permanent. Hoist is like new and other than the control wires that will need to be lengthened this will be one of those nice to have things but I may have limited use for it.
I have pulled many an engine out of a car and first thing that came to mind is to do this. Weight is fine and for the first time I will not be fighting the engine hoist but now I will need to move the car once the engine is clear? Anyone have experience with this type of extraction process. Is it worth going through the trouble? Of course it is but I need Ammo for my wife when she figures out what I am doing….

 

[Milton Shaw]

The hoist should be on a trolly on the beam so you can roll it back and forth. That way you can hoist engine roll forward with engine put it on engine stand etc. Stationary in the middle of the beam is a rough way to go. Northern Tool and HF both have trollies about a hundred or less so go for it.

 

[carhunter]

Had a similar setup in my old warehouse - one ton electric hoist on a trolley that rolled on a structural steel Ibeam in the ceiling. It ran across, rather than parallel to the aisleway/driveway at the center of the shop.

Great for pulling motors, unloading equipment, etc. We'd just lift the item up and roll the trolley sideways, or drive out from underneath.

We scrapped a couple parts cars and drug them on the trailer, then pulled up the back ends, cut the axles and fuel tanks out, then dropped them back on the trailer

 

[wnstwolf]

Sorry Milton should have been more descript. Like Carhunters it will be on a trolly and go across the shop not front to back due to size limitations of the beams. After reading your replies the big light went off. raise it up high enough, no issues there, then roll hoist to the left or right and back down once clear of vehicle and onto a stand.. other than upright steel which I have a beat on I will have little invested so Will be adding this to the to do list and pic's to follow maybe by labor day..

 

[Postsedan]

Pics, by Labor Day, it`s almost Christmas!

Dan

 

[jabberwoki]

I `m planing a hoist on a curved I beam so i can lift heavy things out of the truck then onto the floor/dolly or run the hoist and load over to my bench. be really nice when i`m an old fart.

 

[olytdi]

I know that the HF type gantry cranes that are on wheels are not made to roll around under load. They're made to move about then be under load. The wheels could collapse if moved when loaded -- not entirely pertinent to the OP's questions but to address the other comments.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I know that the HF type gantry cranes that are on wheels are not made to roll around under load. They're made to move about then be under load. The wheels could collapse if moved when loaded -- not entirely pertinent to the OP's questions but to address the other comments.

On a smooth flat floor, with decent casters properly rated, there is no reason the portable gantry should not roll with a load on it. The reason the manufacturers say not to move it with a load is that it could get to swinging and cause the gantry to overturn.

I have one and have lifted heavy loads, such as a full 55 gal drum of oil (pushing 500 lbs) and it rolled as easy as if it were unloaded.

Charles