A Frame Hoist

I am going to build an "A" frame hoist. I would like to see pictures of what you all have so I can come up with a plan for building mine. I wont be lifting anything over 1 ton. But I also like to overbuild things. So if anybody could post some pics of their "A" frame hoists that would be great.

Is this what you are referring to? A great tool in certain applications.

I'll bet, once you get your design, and material list, and go out for pricing, you'll find it cheaper to buy.
I'll bet you can't buy the steel for the cost of buying a new complete crane. Much less the paint, and casters.

We had A-Frames similar to the one Chris posted a pic of. Ours was rated at 5tons and we picked up tank V12 engines that had 1790 cid. It had a big chain hoist to do the lifting. After tearing these engines down to measure the engine parts we ran them for 240 hours on a stationary dynamometer. Hal

i agree wih other poster,I built one and time I got done had more in it than if I WOULD BOUGHT NEW. i very seldom build anything anymore from scratch it just hardly ever pays out. i buy it already built and will modify it if i choose from there. good luck. i find a forklift is way more handy than any chain hoist. just my opinion

Given all the businesses / factories that have sold out or moved, you may be able to pick up a used one for a couple of hundred dollars. Much less that building one.
There are several used equipment dealers out there. A quick internt serach should find some in your area.

I have one that I built years ago from workplace scrap so it didn't cost me anything. I don't have a picture but it is about 8' high and I have 3 different I-beams that I can use with it. I would probably recommend buying one for liability when someone goes to sell it. The one in Chris's picture looks nice and versatile. I made mine short enough to use inside but it quite often would be nice to have more height. Get a good little chain hoist as they are shorter when 2-blocked.

Puddles, That is so true; the top beam for the hoist I desire will run around $600 itself..adds up quickly.

In the middle on top of beam I built a 90 degree beam and put another trolly on. really great for pulling something and being able to trolly it away from main beam

Wormy; I built one a few yrs ago, and I use it all the time. I was lucky that I "won" a large steel pile at a auction yrs before. The hoist was got at the swap meet in April in Mn. Some guys make them to take apart, but I have room, so I didn't. Good luck. Bobmn..PS look over at the shop floor talk web site...lots of ideas!

the problem with a a-frame is you lose so much ceiling hieght.my garage is just 8 ft so i cant lift anything really high.if i ever build a new shop i am going to build in a beam right down the middle of it and have walls at least 10 maybe 12 foot.the beam down the lenght would help splitting tractors more i would think.that may be something to think about with yours if your building from scratch. my little a frame is kind of different from most,i built it sort of u shaped on bottom with arms just wide enough my rear tractor tires will set on it( in fact thats what i built it for originally,changing tires without man handling them). then i simply welded two uprights and braced them to the back, with a 3" i beam across top. its not very wide but I can remove front axle on a n,and am able to lift engine ,trans,top cover and things while leaving room on sides for work benches in a one car garage.To me its easier to work with than a cherry picker simply because its doesnt take up as much room. i think the beam down length of bay would be the way to go though on tractors because you wouldnt have to take up floor space with a rolling one.

I build this one 15 years ago out of 2 3/8" drillstem and 4x4" square tubing,it has a 10' long x 8" H beam for the 1/2 t hoist.
As you can see in the sec pic,i widened the legs on one side to 10' to be able to drive my widest tractor under it
The trolley rolls on top of the beam to gain height as my shop is only 10' high.
The legs are angled 4 ways to keep it steady.
The legs are just sitting on top of the dirt floor.
I had as much as 6000 lb hanging on it without a problem

I have one that looks just like this, down to the offset flats on the top of the uprights that the top beam attaches to. It is blue from the manufacturer. Mine is 12 ft wide and to the bottom of the beam is about 11 ft 6 in when fully raised. You want it as high as possible. trolley hangs down, hoist hangs down. You don't want that stuff right in the way. Make it tall. I bought mine and paid about $1500 used in excellent shape with the chain hoist and trolley. 3 ton hoist, 2 ton beam.

I especially like the A leg setup and adjustable height.

Charles

here"s mine... was originally about 6" wide and I extended the H beam another 4 feet... strictly used outdoors ...it won"t fit in the shop. I use a trolley and a chainfall for all my stuff... not enough headroom for elec lift. 6" h-beam 10' long and 2.5" legs about 8' long 6" steel casters

john

Just saw a A frame hoist in Craigs list Brainerd, wants 400$ Looks like it has possibilities Listed 12-21-11