[TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists

Sun Apr 13 17:43:01 2003

I forgot to say that the pics are on page 3 and 4 of the shop pictures
section of the photo access site.
I  didn't mention that the new 3 ton crane has an extra jib extension added
to increase the boom length to 9' and maximum lift to 10'. I also added
removable counterbalance weights to the back of the crane to prevent pitch
polling when lifting at maximum boom extension.
Chuck
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chuck Robinson" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 3:44 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists


> Hey Ian,
> When I built my shop in 1996 I built  a jib crane first,
>  and then built a 34' diam. yurt style building around it.
> The crane upper mast is 3 1/2" ID drill stem welded to 8" ID well casing.
> The well casing is cemented into 6' of reinforced concrete, centerline
> in the shop, and the top of the mast is set in a 12 ID well casing ring
that
> locks it to the rafters.
> The idea is that when a load is placed on the jib almost1/2 half the
rafters
> are under  tension and the other 1/2 are in compression, since th rafters
> are also
> attached to 3 1/2" ID wall  uprights every 10' in the wall.
> The roof load is counterbalanced by a 50'000 lb WL steel cable locking the
> uprights together.
>  The jib "I" beam is 16" long and  welded to a section of 5"id schedule 80
> tubing that covers and swivels around the  3 1/2"ID mast.
> The crane works well. It can lift items and machines any where in my shop.
> I just recently replaced the hand operated chain falls with an air powered
> hoist.
> The maximum load I have lifted so far is 2400 lbs.
>
> I also recently completed my second all terrain engine hoist.
> Up graded from a 2 ton model to a 3 ton model.
> I've posted a few pics to http://www.photoaccess.com
> Chuck
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ian" <[email protected]>
> To: "TheForge" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2003 3:25 PM
> Subject: [TheForge] Shop Cranes vs Floor Hoists
>
>
> > Somewhere in the not so distant future I plan on building a large shop
of
> > approximate 30ft x 40ft dimentions and the thought of having a crane in
> the
> > shop has really twigged a nerve in the old brain. With all the heavy
> > material/equipment that blacksmithing can sometimes involve, a way of
> > lifting and moving that heavy stuff that could be an integral part of
the
> > shop deserves some special consideration.
> >
> > The most bang for the buck is what I would like to get. Wouldn't we all?
> >
> > I am thinking that with a shop crane that it would always be something
> that
> > in some way or other would always have to be worked around and often
times
> > be in the way - at least with a swing arm type that is setup in the
middle
> > of the shop like the one that David Mudge has displayed on his web site.
> But
> > an installation like that also appeals to me because it is always there
> when
> > you need to lift something - no assembly required. That is what leads me
> to
> > think that perhaps a fold up hydraulic shop crane (sometimes called
> "engine
> > hoists") of say a 2 ton capacity might be a better way to go. It could
be
> > folded up and rolled into a corner or up against a wall when not in use
> and
> > would never be in your way. A couple things that might not be so good
with
> a
> > unit like this is that it would not be worth a hoot on a dirt floor, it
> > would need a concrete floor to roll easily. Secondly, it would have some
> > height reach and lift limitations.
> >
> > To those of you out there who are using ANY type of crane in your shop,
> what
> > has your experience been with functionality and YOUR "Best Bang for the
> > Buck"?
> >
> > Ian....
> >
> >
> > ---
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