Yale chain hoist

[FanNumber17]

A couple of days ago I stopped into a antique store, and a large chain hoist caught my eye. the $110 price seemed right so it ended up in my truck. It is a Yale model B-B 1 1/2 ton, I'm just wondering if there is a way to date it. I couldn't find much info online, but I am out of town so am using a phone rather than my computer. I cleaned it up as best I could and couldn't find a date stamp or anything. It does have a US probably tag that shows it came out of the badger ordinance plant, so maybe it could be dated from that? I can't add pics yet.

 

[GeoBruin]

A couple of days ago I stopped into a antique store, and a large chain hoist caught my eye. the $110 price seemed right so it ended up in my truck. It is a Yale model B-B 1 1/2 ton, I'm just wondering if there is a way to date it. I couldn't find much info online, but I am out of town so am using a phone rather than my computer. I cleaned it up as best I could and couldn't find a date stamp or anything. It does have a US probably tag that shows it came out of the badger ordinance plant, so maybe it could be dated from that? I can't add pics yet.

A couple more replies and you'll be able to add pictures. Or is it posts? In any case, pictures are always very helpful.

 

[john.k]

Seems a lot for a Yale ......the earlier type with roller chain arent very popular ,as the chain kinks and jams and can catch your hand if not careful...........later ones (1970s) have link chain and are much better to use ............I have quite a few of the roller chain 3 ton (hook block) type,some Ive removed the block to make them 1&1/2 tonners................super reliable ,some Ive left out in the weather holding crane booms etc ,and the still work years later ......even been full of rainwater ,they still work OK...................ive put track chains back on big dozers and excavators with a couple of Yales ...single handed .............one time I had a crane boom fall down ,pulled it back up with Yales to get it on the trailer (that I was paying $200/hr for)

 

[FanNumber17]

A couple more replies and you'll be able to add pictures. Or is it posts? In any case, pictures are always very helpful.

This was my first post, I've always just been a lurker. Tried to create a link to a album. Hopefully it works, never done it before. Just realized I really didn't have many decent pics, will get some tomorrow

https://imgur.com/a/ZLgSjiE

 

[FanNumber17]

Seems a lot for a Yale ......the earlier type with roller chain arent very popular ,as the chain kinks and jams and can catch your hand if not careful...........later ones (1970s) have link chain and are much better to use ............I have quite a few of the roller chain 3 ton (hook block) type,some Ive removed the block to make them 1&1/2 tonners................super reliable ,some Ive left out in the weather holding crane booms etc ,and the still work years later ......even been full of rainwater ,they still work OK...................ive put track chains back on big dozers and excavators with a couple of Yales ...single handed .............one time I had a crane boom fall down ,pulled it back up with Yales to get it on the trailer (that I was paying $200/hr for)

Yeah, I have no clue on the value, got it just because it looked neat, I love old iron, and had money to spend. Do you know if the difference between the 3 ton and the lower rated ones is just the added ****** block? I found some parts diagram that seem to show that is the case.

 

[john.k]

Yep,I have taken the block out of some of mine to make them easier to use..........If its the roller chain type (motorcycle chain) ,be careful it doesnt swing back and trap fingers .........the chain also kinks causing some annoyance................the link chain ones are far easier to use ,but not as compact ..............as far as I know ,you cant convert a roller chain to link chain.

 

[GeoBruin]

Looks nice. Better track down the original color for your resto

Why do I think they were kind of a caterpillar yellow?

 

[john.k]

Im thinkin of the lever hoists ,you have a chain block

 

[zendriver]

We had one of those when I was young. I thought it was a dark green.

 

[FanNumber17]

Yes, I believe the original color was green, someone must have painted it safely yellow at some point also. My plan is to restore it at some point and put it back to work. Maybe at some point my future kids or grandkids will be able to use it. Just have to love old American made iron.

https://imgur.com/a/fsDsXAB

 

[2oolhound]

Face it, you're a gear head buddy. You'll fit right in around here. Welcome aboard! I always wanted one of those. What does the other side look like? It seems to me the older ones had cast in lettering on both sides and newer ones have a tin dome type cover on that side. Also the chain guides look so cool. More pics please. The ****** block is actually called a traveling block. ****** blocks are quick change blocks for rope or cable.
I'd hang it about 4' into the garage so I could back in and lift stuff up then drive out or vice versa for loading the heavy stuff. Nice score.

 

[FanNumber17]

Face it, you're a gear head buddy. You'll fit right in around here. Welcome aboard! I always wanted one of those. What does the other side look like? It seems to me the older ones had cast in lettering on both sides and newer ones have a tin dome type cover on that side. Also the chain guides look so cool. More pics please. The ****** block is actually called a traveling block. ****** blocks are quick change blocks for rope or cable.
I'd hang it about 4' into the garage so I could back in and lift stuff up then drive out or vice versa for loading the heavy stuff. Nice score.

Oh trust me, I've known that I am for years, just haven't always had the space to do stuff. I am hoping that I might be able to get some old I beams from my work soon, so I am thinking about building a moveable gantry. it's a good way down the project timeline though. I got it hung up for the first time today and the entire and it just moves so smoothly. And also found a good section of the original paint to match.

https://imgur.com/a/bWyB1qA

 

[2oolhound]

Thanks for the photos. It looks like the lettering on the back cowl is raised! Nice.
I stand corrected on the "traveling block". That lower hook is not. On a traveling block, it has a hook on it but the chain passes through it while the hook on the end of the chain hooks back onto the body of the main unit. Then the traveling block does the lifting and would have a 2-1 mechanical advantage. That hoist just has the top hook to hang the main unit and the hook on the end of the lift chain with no traveling block. I misunderstood the description.