[TheForge] Fw: Cranes

[David E. Smucker]

Andy,  What we can afford and what we would like to have are two different 
things.  No matter how rich, having a bridge crane that travels outside of 
the building makes little sense unless you are in a business that requires 
it.  Nothing Terry has said seems to show that.  Sealing up a building end 
wall in northern Illinois winters is not easy -- I know what -20 F is like.

5 tons should cover most everything.  A even saying that for 99 % of the 
time a fork lift will do the job very well.  I have found that the most cost 
effective thing is to hire a local "wrecker" to come in and move heavy 
machine tools off of a flat bed when I can't handle with my tractor.  (Cost 
me 50 bucks + 20 for the driver.)

A 60 year old 50 ton bridge crane is just out of this world over kill. 
First off it requires major structural steel to support and second the 
electrics on a crane of this type will be 250 volt DC.  The crane most 
likely has a motor-generator set with the motor end being 440 three phase. 
Don't even think Terry will have three phase unless he uses convertors.

Lots and lots of stuff going on the auction block every day now.  I get 
several notices a week of major equipment auctions.  Should be able to find 
a lot of fork lifts for sale in the Midwest.

Dave

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Andrew Vida" <osan at netlabs.net>
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 5:24 PM
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Cranes

>
>
> ries wrote:
>> Terry- I have used a variety of cranes.
>> In my mind, the BEST is a bridge crane.
>
> Must agree 1 trillion % (this is the age of trillions, after all).
>
>> This is a beam, that rides on rails that are set on each long wall,
>> high up.
>> A trolley goes across the beam, carrying your lifting device-
>> chainfall, or whatever.
>> This gives you 100% coverage of your entire shop, x and y.
>> Again, the best is remote control, with a pendant, of an electric
>> chainfall or wire rope lift.
>
> See above.  Also, I am quite fond of running the rails through the shop
> walls such that the bridge may be sent out the door for at least 50'
> that it may cover any large flatbed trailer.  This setup makes life so
> much easier.
>
>> 50 tons is WAY overkill- 5 would be too, for that matter.
>
> I may disagree, depending on what would be going on.  If large-ish
> machinery is to be put in, taken out, or moved around with any
> frequency, I think 5 to 10 ton is a great labor and cost saver.  I am a
> very firm believer in having a decent bit more capacity than what is
> typically required for those unforeseen times when it is needed.  Some
> overkill is a good thing.  Fifty tons - yeah, probably way too much.
>
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