Through bolting pole barn posts? Vertical bike storage project.

[CaseyJoes.]

I am building a vertical bicycle storage lift using a system of worm gear hand winch and overhead pulleys. This is all for making more storage space in a nice approx. 50x25ft concrete floor pole building by lifting 8 bicycles off of the floor for overhead storage.

I have two questions:

#1 I want to make sure my construction plan is considered sound practice, I am not particularly familiar with wood construction. If it not sound practice what is the best way for me to go about this project.

#2 Are there any rules of thumb or guidelines to go by when through-bolting into posts/timbers? Are there any do's and dont's about the grain of the wood in relation to the load? Any rules of thumb relating to acceptable through bolting diameters in relation to the size of the post/timber and/or bolt patterns used?

The worm hand winch (1500lb rating) will be bolted to a 6" x 1/2" thick steel plate that I have bent into an L shape. The long side of the "L" will be through bolted to the face of the 6x6" post. The bottom of the "L" will tie into the nearby 4x8" doorpost frame post & be through-bolted as well. On the nut side of the posts I was planning on using either large diameter thick washers or even Ogee washers. Planned on using 1/2"x13 bolts with a basic 4-bolt pattern that works with the diameters of the washers on the backside of the post.

For the mounting of the overhead pulleys I planned on fabricating bracketry to suit and using similar 1/2"-13 bolts with heavy large diameter or Ogee washers.

Hopefully there are some professionals that can chime in?

 

[CaseyJoes.]

Anybody have any input? I would like to move forward on this project but want to make sure I am doing it the right way. I spent a lot of time searching on the internet for related information. All I could come up with were some studies that were so technical you couldn't pull out any applicable information to apply to my project.

 

[Playwme]

If your posts are 6inch square then I doubt you'll have too many problems. If anything it sounds like your solution is over engineered for a few bicycles. Don't go nuts on the bolts, 4 on each side seems like a bit much. 2 per side should suffice.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Thru-bolting is MUCH better than lag bolts !

If your post are pressure treated you should use hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel bolts.

1/2" is overkill. 3/8" is plenty even at 2 per side.

 

[mitusa]

I've built a few pole barns.......the posters above have given you some good advice.

 

[why worry]

Try to keep the bolt at least 1" from the edge and you shouhd be fine.

 

[CaseyJoes.]

Thanks for the advice guys! I may drop down to 3/8" hardware. Although hot-dipped galvanized is usually grade 2 so I may stick with 1/2" just to retain strength.

Is hot-dipped galvanized necessary even in a dry environment when using with pressure treated wood, as opposed to using common bright zinc grade 5 hardware? I'm guessing it is probably safe to assume the main posts of the pole building are pressure treated (out of town for the weekend so I cant go out to look at the moment).

 

[Catadj78]

Thanks for the advice guys! I may drop down to 3/8" hardware. Although hot-dipped galvanized is usually grade 2 so I may stick with 1/2" just to retain strength.

Is hot-dipped galvanized necessary even in a dry environment when using with pressure treated wood, as opposed to using common bright zinc grade 5 hardware? I'm guessing it is probably safe to assume the main posts of the pole building are pressure treated (out of town for the weekend so I cant go out to look at the moment).

I would use stainless.

The chemicals used in treated wood will affect other fasteners

 

[CaseyJoes.]

I may go that route, but nearly $8 per bolt adds up quick! Have to be ~7" long to through-bolt.

 

[Catadj78]

Have you checked Tractor Supply? IF I remember correctly they are cheaper than that there.

2 square u bolts may work as well or better than 4 bolts and be cheaper. I picked some up not too long ago from there (smaller than what you are looking for though) and I remember them being cheaper..I think

 

[rburke65]

Any photos, pictures or drawing?

 

[CaseyJoes.]

No pictures or drawings at this point, just all in my head.

At this point I have the worm hand winch, cable, thimbles, 1/2"x5.5"x22" plate steel I bent to the L-shape needed, 16ft long very heavy walled aluminum pipe for the beam, and the eyebolts for the tube. Have not bought the pulleys yet as the style I buy depends on the way I end up mounting them. If there is enough interest I can post pictures of the project once progress starts?

 

[Kaizen]

maybe you should add the rest of your plan. so the winch will lift but lift what? how are the bikes going to be lifted? all at once? all on the one beam?

I heard 5 bikes and immediately thought kids so if so plan in some way to lock the winch. maybe a bicicle horseshoe lock.

 

[CaseyJoes.]

The winch will lift the 16ft heavy walled aluminum pipe. The 8 hangers on the pipe will hook onto the front wheel of each of the 8 bicycles.

The youngest kids that will access this garage are about 18. That being said with the people that will be using it, I am still designing it with the intent to make it as fool proof as possible. Also since this is overhead lifting I am building it to have an excessive safety factor.