Elevator for Pole Barn - updated photos with cycle counter

[brewdog]

Update. Painted the elevator and added a cycle counter. Bought the 120v counter on amazon and added it to the control box. The limit switch is mounted in the UP limit position so it only counts a full lift one time. Fun little project that works good.





Been working on a Lift Elevator for the Pole Barn. I decided to build a hoist type lift. I tried the Unistrut and wheels you find on Amazon and they didn't work very well. Any off balance loading on the platform created binding and a dangerous situation so I removed all the welds and rebuilt it using my own rail and wheel designs. The main loading wheels are 4"o.d.x 2” wide steel wheels with roller bearings. The axle mount is 1.5” DOM Tubing with a 1” shaft turned down to a 3/4” axle for the roller bearings to ride on. The side to side stabilizing wheels are 3-1/2” x 1.25” wide steel wheels with a 1/2” grade 8 bolt used for the axle. I added two fall protection devices one on each side for additional safety. The vertical rails I made from 12’ long sections of 3/16” x 2” x 3” angle iron welded to a 1/8" x 2"x2" square tubing vertical section. The platform is 1/8”x 2”x2” square tubing and 1/8”x2” Angle iron. The round lifting arm is 2.5" sch 80 pipe. I used 1/4” x 2” flat plate for anchoring to the concrete and beam structures. 1/2” wedge bolts went in the cement. The hoist is rated at 2200 lbs with the roller block tied to the lifting sch-80 pipe. I bought a new roller block unit at Harbor Freight rated for 2 tons. Tested the elevator out with 800 lbs the other day! Ran great. That’s 300 lbs more than I will ever put on it. It makes a nice work bench when it’s not being used. The new design has zero side loading issues. I can stand 100% on either outside edge and it goes up smooth. Here's a load of wood on it for the loft railings. If it stays warm enough I'll finish painting it after the railings are finished.

 

[Rustyiron]

Very nice

 

[brewdog]

Thanks Rusty!

 

[threepiece]

I dig this. The fall arrestors is a great idea. I plan to make one to for the new shop. I will use a worm driven speed reducer. Such speed reducers are inherently safe. Great point on using as a workbench. I will remember this during the design. Good job!

 

[IXLR8]

Very nice. I wish I had your fab skills/equipment. This is what I was going to put in for a lift to my loft.

The Attic-Lift

Introduce the Attic-Lift into your home for a revolutionary garage storage solution. This system transforms your attic into an easily accessible storage area.

auxx-lift.com

Excellent idea about using it as a table when not lifting something. Stealing that idea.

 

[metalbender]

We picked up an old electric fork lift to fab up an elevator. Sold the battery for scrap, into it for $100 now. Will strip the mast and pump, mount it to the barn wall. Run with three batteries for 36 volts.

 

[brewdog]

I dig this. The fall arrestors is a great idea. I plan to make one to for the new shop. I will use a worm driven speed reducer. Such speed reducers are inherently safe. Great point on using as a workbench. I will remember this during the design. Good job!

Thanks three-piece! Good luck on the new shop. I like the worm drive idea and I do agree. Please don't use anything that has a free wheel mode. Only use a hoist with lock up in both directions. My son gave me the work bench idea. He gets the credit.

 

[brewdog]

Very nice. I wish I had your fab skills/equipment. This is what I was going to put in for a lift to my loft.

The Attic-Lift

Introduce the Attic-Lift into your home for a revolutionary garage storage solution. This system transforms your attic into an easily accessible storage area.

auxx-lift.com

Excellent idea about using it as a table when not lifting something. Stealing that idea.

ILXR8, Thanks ! The loft lift is a good idea for you. This one looks like a safe reliable design. Good luck and enjoy the new work table.

 

[brewdog]

We picked up an old electric fork lift to fab up an elevator. Sold the battery for scrap, into it for $100 now. Will strip the mast and pump, mount it to the barn wall. Run with three batteries for 36 volts.

Hey what a great find! Can't beat the price, you can afford to put a little money in it and create a nice elevator. I love the idea of using three batteries. I have my garage diesel storage tank mounted on wheels in the garage- set up with 12v battery and pump. Love that thing and it fits nicely in the back on my truck for refilling. Good idea and good luck. Post a pic when you finish it. Love to see it.

 

[brewdog]

I decided to upgrade the control system on my Pole Barn Loft Elevator. I put two fixed pushbutton stations on the upper and lower levels. A third pushbutton station is movable and travels with the elevator. I purchased the parts on Amazon and built the controller. Here's some pictures. Forgot to mention that I added an additional Low Level Limit switch to maintain some tension on the spool and cable. This feature keeps the steel cable from unravelling on the spool and making a mess. Never use a winch for a hoist application. The hoist has a built in locking feature to prevent free spooling and accidental load dropping.