Vintage tool score

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Neighboring shop was gonna toss out some old equipment. I went over this morning and scored a nice little gantry crane (13' tall x 17' or so long) and and both of the old chain falls they had (other gantry had some bends I din't think where worth trying to save it). I had to get it before it went to scrap.

It's all rusty, but all works except the hand-pull chain is gone from the lighter hoist.

We cut the legs about 4 feet from the top and laid the bottom leg triangles on the trailer and then set the top beam right over it. Strapped it done and hauled it home.

Here it is on the trailer:











Total cost - about 40 bucks -- gas and breakfast on way to and lunch on way back.

 

[SawtoothJL]

This deserves a huge YOU ****! Great score!

 

[Farmall450]

I'd say you ****, but calling it a score in the title seems to be cheating. I'm sure CNGsaves will clarify.

 

[woody 73]

Heavy Metal Doctor I get to tease you just a little bit today, so how come you did not post this in the vintage tool section?

Ok I will take your word that it is vintage so...Take some close-up shots of that name plate tag and tell us what it reads that will be your 1st clue in finding the age.

Great score!

 

[Old Steamer]

I do like that! Right place at the right time!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Heavy Metal Doctor I get to tease you just a little bit today, so how come you did not post this in the vintage tool section?

Ok I will take your word that it is vintage so...Take some close-up shots of that name plate tag and tell us what it reads that will be your 1st clue in finding the age.

Great score!

Yeah, you're right! I guess it just never clicked in my mind since I don't have many "vintage" items.

I do intend to get some close-ups of the parts.

 

[blazemaster83]

Nice score, but now what do you do after you cut the legs? Those chain hoists should clean up fine but I would recommend buying some new chain if you lift close to the rating.

 

[code4pay]

What's the spring on the wheel for?

 

[gdocktor3]

What's the spring on the wheel for?

My thoughts as well.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I thought the springs on the wheels where kinda clever old-school engineering. They put just a bit of resistance on the wheel so it can be moved easily, but not roll freely and roll away on t's own - kind of a light parking brake!

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Nice score, but now what do you do after you cut the legs? Those chain hoists should clean up fine but I would recommend buying some new chain if you lift close to the rating.

My plan it to add plates to bridge over the cuts of the legs. Weld down solid to one side and then multiple bolts on the other side. That way we can unbolt the legs to take 'em back off and move the gantry again when needed.

The main lifting chain is not too rough looking and I doubt I'll ever lift anything close to it's rating. I actually think I might invest in a new trolley for the I beam first - there's 2 trolleys on the beam and the heavier one is already bent / splayed out. It looks weaker than the hoist.