Simple hoist for upstairs/downstairs loads

[59 wagon man]

The crane is a "Thern" that I bought at a yard sale ($25.) This photo is as close as I can find at Thern.com to what I have. The bearing is a throwout bearing from a 1980 Ford truck with the spring clips removed and a centering hub to fit the ID of both the crane pipe and bearing. Nothing fancy, just what I had on hand. The larger base plate I added to distribute the load better. There is a wall at the edge of the stairs and two 2 X 12 floor joist setting on that wall to handle the vertical load. The 5/16" plate is lag screwed into the two joists at the edge and the next two 2 X 12 joists at 16" and 32". The floor is 1.25" thick and lag screws are 3.5" long by 5/16".

i bought something similar from harbor freight added the 12volt atv 2000 winch and installed it in my truck. i use it to lift everything from pipe to water heaters engines ,rears etc

 

[isaac338]

Here is how I did mine cheap and easy. I only have about $150 in the entire hoist/track system. I posted this in my garage makeover thread a few months ago:

Electric Attic Hoist on Barn Door Track:


Loaded with over 400lbs of car part boxes (brake rotors, coil-over springs, struts, starters, intake manifolds, etc.)


Video of the hoist in action:


The electric hoist is from Harbor Freight. It's the 1100lb/500lb unit for $139. Then it was on sale for $99 in a magazine, then I used a 20% off coupon from the same magazine for a total price of $79. For the track, I got the 450lb rated stuff from McMaster-Carr. I bought two 8' sections on sale for $18 each and two trolley's for $21 each. I decided to skip the mounting brackets that they said were required every 2ft and on the ends (which saved me $130) and just drilled holes in it and ran 3.5" decking screws straight into the 2x6 in the attic. I just loaded it with screws (12 per 8' section, spaced 1' apart and doubled up near the ends) and it works great.

Part Numbers:
McMaster Invoice:
1143A61 HANGER WITH BOLT FOR FRAMED DOOR, 400# CAP/PR, STEEL ROLLER BEARING $ 18.12 QTY 2

1207A34 STEEL ROLLER TRACK SYSTEM FOR DOORS, DOOR TRACK, 400#CAP, GALV, 8',1-3/4"W X 2-1/4"H $21.26 QTY 2

Harbor Freight:
ITEM 93251-1VGA $139.99 QTY 1
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93251

I've since used the pulley that comes with the hoist to double up the line which cuts the speed of the lift in half which makes it smoother and easier to control. I've lifted 3 engines with it, tons of boxes full of engine parts, brakes, suspension components, etc. and it's done it without issue. I think it's the most useful part of my garage makeover. Being able to move it side to side 16 ft once I lift into the attic is very handy as well.

Dammit. I know this is an old post but it's making me very seriously second guess the amount of work that's going to go into my hoist.. I've already welded up a track with 2 pieces of angle iron, and welded a trolley onto the back of a small ATV winch. I have yet to build the mounting brackets.. and now I'm wondering if I even should!

Ingenious, thanks!

 

[chayfer]

thanks. i get tired of all the "don't do that" or don't do this" especially when most of it is wives tales and the original poster isn't asking for that kind of advice. they all sound like my dad. he would always tell me something isn't safe and then when i ask why does he think that. well it is something i just heard.

example:
don't do your own garage door springs. give me a break. this was one of the easiest things i have ever done. running a chainsaw is much more dangerous and they will sell those to anyone.


since we are on a garage forum i would venture to say that most of us have some common sense and know the risks involved in doing what we do.

I am so with you on this one...like the car forums when you ask how to change a clutch...answer=take it back to the garage if its under warranty. why would i be asking this question if i wanted or could do this?

Or...How do I build my own pool...answer, hire a professional, don't think about it...so why bother going to the forums if you are not going to do something yourself ever, and you are not going to provide useful info to anyone else.

Anyway, before I commit the same crime as above. Anyone have experience of getting loads up several flights of stairs (my case 3 in garden over 30 meters)? I thought of capstan winch at top, maybe electric winch too slow/short...and before someone says go and buy a powered wheel barrow, I can't/won't/don't want to. Is why I'm asking.

 

[Sodder]

I want to mount one of those on my truck....that way I can lift engines and stuff in easily...problem is only having a base attachment point and I'm no engineer (I don't even own a train!!).

Quite a few companies make truck bed hoists.

I was on HF this morning and saw this one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-with-cable-winch-37555.html