Gentry crane advice needed.

[jack707]

I am going to build a gentry crane for my garage. The max hight is 7 feet to the bottom of the truss and 7 ' is the max to the garage door. So this crane is not going to make heavy lifts so I am thinking of using the 2x2x1/4 for the legs and a 6 foot I beam 4x4x1/4 so how do this sound to you guys before I buy the steel.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

What are you planning on lifting? Whats your lifting device capacity? Whats the span of the gantry? what are you using for braces? is it going to be mobile?

 

[jack707]

What are you planning on lifting? Whats your lifting device capacity? Whats the span of the gantry? what are you using for braces? is it going to be mobile?

It going to have caster's for rolling to where I need it. I'm thinking about 6' wide and there will be 2 braces on either side using 2x2x1/4 sq. tube.I'l just weld a lug on the bottom of the I beam about 1 ton chain fall. And I will use 3" channel for the bottom plate where the caster's will be.

 

[George2615]

When you build it you could make it like this one that has telescopic adjustable height. Also, don't weld a lug for the chain fall, buy a rolling trolley for it.

Telescoping Gantry Crane - 1 Ton

 

[flyerdan]

I'd take a look at the HF Gantry for some ideas. With the right bracing you can get by with much lighter material. Rather than welding a ring in the center to hang the chainfall from, I'd advise you to get one of those trollies that roll on the I beam so you can have some lateral adjustment without having to move the whole crane. The casters will handle all the weight, so be sure to get ones that won't grenade and add some excitement when you have something big hanging.
Also, keep in mind that with a 7 foot max height that will limit what you can lift to 66" off the floor. I just went out an measured a 1 ton chain host from the top of a 4x4 to the bottom of the lift hook all the way up and it's 18". If that could be a problem you might want to consider a shop crane instead. They can be had off craigslist for about what the materials would cost for the gantry.

 

[jack707]

I'd take a look at the HF Gantry for some ideas. With the right bracing you can get by with much lighter material. Rather than welding a ring in the center to hang the chainfall from, I'd advise you to get one of those trollies that roll on the I beam so you can have some lateral adjustment without having to move the whole crane. The casters will handle all the weight, so be sure to get ones that won't grenade and add some excitement when you have something big hanging.
Also, keep in mind that with a 7 foot max height that will limit what you can lift to 66" off the floor. I just went out an measured a 1 ton chain host from the top of a 4x4 to the bottom of the lift hook all the way up and it's 18". If that could be a problem you might want to consider a shop crane instead. They can be had off craigslist for about what the materials would cost for the gantry.

Yeah that one factor I didn't think about 1 ton chain fall has lots of chain! Another way around that is use a come a long. I have to do more thinking about this your right I should went up 10 feet with the celing.

 

[CreekyB]

The Harbor Freight gantries come with the trolley. When you look at the costs of the steel, plus paint, plus wheels, plus trolleys....

You will be hard pressed to make one your self for cheaper unless you already had the steel.

 

[truckdiagnostics]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/325924-frame-hoist.html?highlight= here is link to one I built. It is called a frame hoist in case link does not work.

 

[jack707]

I just don't like the HF.one I know I can build a better one and I still have 2x2x1/4 tube from the cutipacker build and beside the place where I get the steel has used also.

 

[jack707]

This is the one I will build