Question about Using Electric Winch on Crane

[apittmanii]

Good morning,

I would like to replace the hand crank winch on the cherry picker in the photo with an electric button-controlled winch. As you can see, the current hand crank winch is mounted on the mast of crane, with the wire rope feeding upward and through the shaft of the jib. I have two questions about replacing the current hand crank winch with an electric controlled winch.

1. Can an electric winch such as the Harbor Freight model shown here (http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-120-volt-ac-electric-winch-96127.html) be appropriately used in the current position of the hand crank winch? I ask because most photos of an electric winch on a cherry picker show it being mounted on the jib (portion of the crane horizontal to the ground), where the wire rope feeds out and is horizontally to the ground.​

2. Assuming the answer to #1 is “yes,” and an electric winch can replace the currently location of the hand crank winch, would you have any reservations about purchasing a 12 volt DC winch (much cheaper) and simply using a DC to AC converter so I can plug it in for use in my garage? There are far more options (many cheaper) for 12 volt DC powered winches.​

I’m not sure it matters, but the application would be to lift and raise generators and other small gas engine machinery, which I repair and sell as a hobby. The weight will be maximum 250 pounds per lift. You can assume the winch will be correctly bolted on the cherry picker.

Thank you!
Allen

 

[readhead]

I guess I'm a little confused. Why a winch on a cherry picker? Isn't that redundant? Not being critical, just trying to understand.

 

[APEowner]

Unless an electric winch is rated for lifting it won't have a brake on it so it'll lift the load OK but as soon as you release the power button it'll drop it. Lighter loads won't be able to drive the gear train backwards but beyond a certain point they will. Since the winch isn't rated for lifting there's no rating of what the point will be.

 

[readhead]

APE is correct. Hoisting winches are built differently than towing winches. Many towing winches have brakes but they are not designed to hold a load.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... #1, Ya, sure, go for it,...

#2,... I doubt an AC to DC converter would put out amps enough to power the winch, you'll need a battery,...

 

[gungatim]

also curious what is the purpose of the winch? never seen a cherry picker/engine puller with a winch on it like that...is it from a commercial/industrial application like lifting dies or something?

 

[Gotcha640]

I have a hoist like that, mine is a separate hook so you can level a load without a bar. The main hook does the lifting, the crank (on mine anyway) is a boat trailer winch, whatever that's rated for.

You could get even crazier in trying to be safe and feed the winch line through the hand crank wheel to make use of that brake...

 

[kbs2244]

He seems to be using the cherry picker as a jib crane.
Make sure it is well braced.

First question, yes you can replace the hand one. Just thread the cable the same.
If you go with the DC unit I believ you will have power up and down.
(DC motors are easy to reverse)

Second, I would just get a 12 VDC battery and place it on the floor by the post.
An overnight charge will get back when it drains.

 

[WhiskeyRanger]

I thought HF sold AC lifting hoists...

They do.

 

[50cal]

The key words in the description are 1500 lbs Horizontally.


Tethered remote control
Thermal overload protection
Two stage planetary gearing
Pull up to 1500 lb. horizontally


You could use your origional setup and weld a tab onto the jib and two part the line with a little ****** block. That would make your pull half as hard, or twice as easy

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/221552874057?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

 

[apittmanii]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. After the original posts, I searched instruction manuals for several electric winches and although some come with a locking feature, all of them instruct to use only for horizontal dragging--and not to have weight on the winch when not in use. So I will search for another solution. This hand winch uses planetary gearing and takes very little effort to turn. Now I am thinking some sort of low RPM motor may be a good solution to turn my existing manual winch. But like most things, this is morphing from a quick improvement with a couple bolts to a major project. I'll may decide to just leave the hand crank

By the way, this is the crane (see link)- it detaches from a base and is intended to be mounted to a truck. The winch is needed because the crane tends to tower above the item you intend to lift from a tall truck bed. I have a mount in my truck and welded a stationary mount for use in my garage.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200402703_200402703

 

[apittmanii]

He seems to be using the cherry picker as a jib crane.
Make sure it is well braced.

First question, yes you can replace the hand one. Just thread the cable the same.
If you go with the DC unit I believ you will have power up and down.
(DC motors are easy to reverse)

Second, I would just get a 12 VDC battery and place it on the floor by the post.
An overnight charge will get back when it drains.

Thank you! I am about to mount a base into the cement floor of my garage.

 

[apittmanii]

Unless an electric winch is rated for lifting it won't have a brake on it so it'll lift the load OK but as soon as you release the power button it'll drop it. Lighter loads won't be able to drive the gear train backwards but beyond a certain point they will. Since the winch isn't rated for lifting there's no rating of what the point will be.

After reading several manuals for electric winches such as the one I originally posted, I have yet to find one that holds a load. In fact even the ones with locking mechanisms advise against this. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[sni-per]

This may be a dumb question, but how about using something like a garage door opener? That would give you a gear reduction, and I think a brake? I've never had one apart, so I may be way off on this.

You could run it off household current, and with a little engineering, probably make it a pretty sharp looking unit.

You could run a double cable, or even several shivs. make it stop before two-blocking the cable.

Just an idea.

 

[sublimate]

After reading several manuals for electric winches such as the one I originally posted, I have yet to find one that holds a load. In fact even the ones with locking mechanisms advise against this. Thanks for your feedback.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-60344.html

 

[Bobf]

I've been using a HF AC 120v 440/880lb lift for several years for lifting motors, Idealarc welder etc with no problems. I originally got it for use at work lifting heavy stuff up to the man hole roof access in stores I had ro maintain.

 

[apittmanii]

I've been using a HF AC 120v 440/880lb lift for several years for lifting motors, Idealarc welder etc with no problems. I originally got it for use at work lifting heavy stuff up to the man hole roof access in stores I had ro maintain.

That is helpful to hear. When you stop moving the winch up or down, does the automatic locking feature hold the heavy load in place without any issues?

 

[readhead]

I have the same hoist and yes it does hold the load.

 

[In2toys]

weld a nut on the hand crank and use a cordless drill or impactor

 

[PoorOwner]

Why not just get a chain hoist, they are perfect to lift a few feet. unless you need it to lift without pulling and must have electric,, the the chain hoist is pretty much effortless. They also make electric chain hoist but the price goes up 10 times

 

[bad_idea]

An impact driver won't turn the hand crank winch. I tried it. Impacts deliver many strikes to turn a bolt. Between strikes the hand crank resets to starting position. There is enough slop in the crank mechanism the impact won't overcome it.

I haven't tried a pneumatic impact wrench. May be worth a try.

 

[tallgrass1951]

I replaced the hand pump jack on my engine hoist with an air over hydraulic jack. Eliminates the hand pumping. No modification to the hoist. I think it was $89 before using a discount coupon.

 

[rburke65]

It was $89 from where? And speaking of "from where"..... where are you from? Please update your location in the Profile section.

 

[kbs2244]

The chain hoist is a good idea, but the 3 chains hang down can be a hassle.
There are both design and legal differences between a "hoist" and a "winch."
Most have to do with the chance of the load being over some ones head.
that is why the cost difference.

In my, non legal opinion, in this install a winch would be O K.

 

[plow]

I use the HF winch on a trolley combined with a ****** block to lift stuff from my truck. It works fine. With any suspended load.....Don't get under it.

 

[MJD1]

What about using something like a warn pullzall?

 

[tallgrass1951]

The air over hydraulic jack was from harbor freight.

 

[PoorOwner]

It sounds like what you should get is a set of ramps or hydraulic cart that raises and lowers your generator from the truck.

 

[apittmanii]

Appreciate the feedback. I'm really set on having that jib crane used to move equipment. I have limited space and an ideal spot for the crane in my garage that would rotate it to the bed of my truck, to the garage floor, or on my workbench.

Because the crane will likely outlast my hobby, I want to install a hoist (rather than a winch) for safety. I feel confident I could keep from under the winch, but over the next 15 years, I'm not sure the next owner will have the same caution.

I am purchasing this hoist from Northern Tool here in Austin. They have a floor model on sale for $111 and tax. And the hoist is made specifically to hold a load. At 550 / 1100 pounds it meets my needs. Once I purchase, I will likely create a post for advice on securing the hoist to the cherry picker (replacing the hand winch depicted in the first post of this thread).

The hoist position on the crane will be configured similarly to the third photo on this website. It will be set in an inverted position with the wire heading upward and through the crane body. I'm sure I will need to have a weight on the end of the wire to ensure there is always tension on the rope.

 

[kbs2244]

That is the same made in China unit labeled and sold by HF and many others.
I have a 120 AC one to pull boxes up my basement stairs.

I have heard some having reservations with internal plastic gears.
But I have never had any problems going up or down.

 

[pmiranda]

Maybe I'm just not very creative but I don't see how you're going to secure that hoist to that lift. Also, unless it's spring loaded, the up limit protection bar might prevent it from working if mounted where that hand crank is now.
From that page:
"This electric hoist is only intended to be attached to or hung from a 2" diameter pipe"

 

[apittmanii]

Maybe I'm just not very creative but I don't see how you're going to secure that hoist to that lift. Also, unless it's spring loaded, the up limit protection bar might prevent it from working if mounted where that hand crank is now.
From that page:
"This electric hoist is only intended to be attached to or hung from a 2" diameter pipe"

Securing the hoist will involve a few welds to a make a supported steel platform. The hoist has bolt holes on the bottom that will be used to secure it to the platform. The guard you are referring to does in fact have a spring keeping it erect upside down. It takes about 5-10 pounds of pressure to fully actuate it. It can also be easily removed with a hex wrench.

 

[59 wagon man]

have the 12volt version on the crane in the back of my truck for yrs

 

[apittmanii]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I went with the 550 / 1100 pound hoist and welded a platform using 5/8 steel plate and a supporting brace underneath. Works very well, especially since I have limited space (1/2 of a 2 car garage) and the crane pivots wherever I need it. And it is located in a corner where I am unable to stand behind it to crank a manual winch. I lifted a 275 pound generator very, very easily, and nice piece of mind knowing the hoist is designed to hold a load. Means I can crank up a generator and work on it at eye level. I bolted the entire jib crane to the floor of my garage.

 

[pmiranda]

Nice!