Can I use A Twin Post Lift To Unload A Trailer?

Vladymere · Dec 20, 2013

Gentlemen,

I am seeking opinions as to the safety, in general, of using one arm of an asymmetric twin post auto lift to unload a trailer.

The lift is rated for 7500 pounds. The brand of lift is Titan, a company that is no longer in business and of which extremely little information can be found.

I am looking at obtaining a 12 1/2" x 46" lathe that weighs just under 2000 pounds. The seller or donor will be able to load the lathe on to a trailer for me via a forklift.

My thoughts are, when I get home, to back the trailer into my shop between the lift posts, raise the lift to an appropriate height, swing one of the longer, rear lift arms, on one side of the lift, out over the lathe and then attach the lathe to the lift arm via a sling or two. I would then lift the lathe up off of the trailer with the lift, drive the trailer out from under the lathe and out of my shop and then lower the lift setting the lathe down on the concrete floor of the shop where I can then go about moving the lathe into it's final position.

Is there any reason that I should not use my lift in this manner?

Thank you fellows,

Vlad

kamesama980 · Dec 20, 2013

In principle, it doesn't matter if it's lifting a car, lathe, conrete brick, or whatever. In practice, it does matter HOW it's lifted.
1. some lifts are more sensetive to loading only one side. Equalizer chain or cables would in theory even it out but not really what they're intended for.
2. that's a long lateral load. 2 post lifts are meant to keep the CG of vehicles between the posts or within reasonable distance. loading too far off to the side could result in the carriage binding.

That's a lot of "if" and "in theory" vs "real world". In practical terms, I'd try to use both sides and keep the CG of the lathe roughly where the CG of a car would be: between the posts to a little behind (behind as referenced sitting in a car being lifted).

badss98 · Dec 20, 2013

I would also agree on using both posts and slings or chains to pick up the lathe. You are putting allot of stress on one side of lift and anchor points. It might require a little more rigging but it will be allot less stress on lift and possibly binding something up.

bazzateer · Dec 20, 2013

Video it for us - just in case ...... you know! :beer:

MG44 · Dec 20, 2013

I have done 2000lbs, but we regularly unload 400 to 800lbs engines with one lift arm

MG44 · Dec 20, 2013

2k is probably a bit much. Run some 4x4s across the lift and put a sling around it

Vladymere · Dec 20, 2013

Thank you all for replying.

I was thinking the same. The more of the arms involved the better and preferably arms from both sides.

Ideal would be to balance the load front to back on the carriages and on both sides of the lift.

bazzater, you want to see a video of a top heavy lathe do a face plant on the hand wheels and levers? I'm going to do my best to disapoint you.

Vlad

rsanter · Dec 20, 2013

If it was me I would get a piece of I beam and drill holes in the end so you can take the pads off 2 of the arms and bolt the Ibeam in place
Then you can lift just about anything off the Ibeam including engines for engine swaps, heavy stuff out of the truck....anything

Bob

koditten · Dec 20, 2013

Is this a base plate lift or a top cross bar? The top cross bar models willo not flex to the middle as much.

Regardless, i would think 2k would be nothing as long as you properly rig the lift.

I know I would use mine for something like this.

Three Widow's Garage · Dec 20, 2013

I built a truss out of box tubing that sits on top of the slides that hold the arms.
I needed it to unload a ironworker that weighs around 2000lb. It works much better
than using the arms, It also gives you a higher lift Don't have any pics that would help explain

BD1 · Dec 20, 2013

Like the others said. I would use a I beam and fabricate hold down brackets as others have stated . It will be used more then you think . :beer:

sberry · Dec 20, 2013

Swing an arm from each side to the center, using 2 reduces the load to only 1K per and any rigger worth a pinch of **** could probably use all 4 with a couple of chains or slings.

Shadowdog500 · Dec 20, 2013

It can be done!

I use my lift to unload stuff and your sling idea sounds like it would work.

Chris

rburke65 · Dec 20, 2013

I'm not a rigger, but I would think thatbyou would want to utilize all 4 lift arms to make your lift.

bentwrench54 · Dec 20, 2013

We used two engine cranes to unload my friend's southbend lathe off of his trailer. Worked like a charm.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

mhm993 · Dec 20, 2013

Need to be careful with the center of gravity and positioning the slings. Friend lifted an engine off the bed of his pickup, slung from his two post. Worked nicely until it swung through the rear window.

nsnrider · Dec 20, 2013

we use our lift to unload all sorts of equipment. That is what a lift is designed for, to lift things.

As long as you center the weight between posts, you'll be fine. Take some pics, they're always fun to look at.

Can I use A Twin Post Lift To Unload A Trailer?

Vladymere

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kamesama980

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badss98

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bazzateer

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MG44

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MG44

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Vladymere

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rsanter

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koditten

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Three Widow's Garage

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BD1

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sberry

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