Home build a-frame hoist

[drewpster]

My latest grand idea is to pull the engine and trans out of my boat so I can do some stringer repair. The process of putting together an a-frame hoist (gantry hoist) is in the works. You can see on my avatar that the boat is sitting on stands that are rather high. I have needed an a-frame for years and this gives me an excuse to put one together. I am copying a simple 2 ton I-beam gantry from some pictures I have found online. I have experience with larger gantry hoists but I have never used smaller ones before. If any of you have used these smaller gantry hoists before what, if any, improvements would you make to the design to make it more stable? The gantry I am building will have to be at least 12' high to clear the engine out of the boat and I want to be sure the design is stable enough to roll the weight at that height. Below is a link to the design I am building.

http://www.lkgoodwin.com//more_info/e_series_gantry_crane/e_series_gantry_crane.shtml

 

[Deimus]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

the only problem I have had with gantry hoists is when you try to move them they don't roll as you would like. the one I was using was home built and had too small of casters. I would sping for a nice larger diameter caster if I ever built my own.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

that high, i think i would want a couple of angle brackets on the cross bar back to the support post. big casters. i've used 4x6's cemented into the ground, with a 2 2x12 and 12 inch flich plate between.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

Ayuh,.......

The Wider you make measurement "F" in your link,....
The More Stable it'll be,.......
And,.....
I'd put the BIGGEST Wheels on it I could Find,......For ease of Rolling.......
If you Don't have any Turning to do with the actual Crane,......
Trailer Tires would Roll quite Easily........

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

Can't check your link but was in my local Harbor Freight Tools store the other day, they have a complete gantry crane for like $150 (less chain fall). Don't know about your area, but I probably couldn't even buy the steel for that. It's about 9'H X 9'W and looks pretty solid. I would think you could easily add additional height you may need to clear your transom. I'm a firm believer in buying something finished if the cost is comparable to spending the time building it - just a thought

 

[beauff]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

Thats one heck of a deal. I found one from there for like $599 but still a good price & it adjusts from 8 ft. 3-1/2'' to 12 ft. 8'' 2000 lbs. weight capacity. I would buy that over making it.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

If I can find a gantry that will suit my needs for $150 you can your sweet patootee I'll buy it rather than building it. I will definitely look at Harbor Freight again to see if I missed it. The reason I wanted to build my own is because of cost and design. I already have a 6" I-beam that will work I got from a friend. To build it as I planned the steel tubing will be around $100 through the company I work for. (not including the jumbo casters) I think tashasdaddy is correct about adding some angle braces. Judging by the photos I agree that the wheels should be further apart as well.

I am also planning to make some lower stands to lower the boat a bit to help with clearance. I built the high stands to get better access to the hull bottom. I have to admit I am excited about this project. I have used crane hoists (cherriepickers) for years. But after using the big gantry we have at work I'll never go back. We install our engines and transmissions assembled in the trucks I work on using our big gantry. Nothing beats it . One man can remove complete cab assemblies using that monster!

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Home build a-frame hoist

Was back in HF Tools yesterday, apparently the one they had set up was some type of a return or "blem" or something - hence the $150 - the in the box price was around $400 on sale but you still can't beat it....