Chain/Rope Hoist vs Lift (cherry picker)

[Dejure]

Wondering how many use an overhead hoist instead of a cherry picker (hydraulic lift) to pull engines and mount them on stands. Looking for opinions and experiences on, primarily, chain hoists, those being a whole lot cheaper and easier to store.

SIDE NOTE: On the matter of the hoist, I have a LOT of OSB, Titebond and various nailers. I just built a 6" X 12'+ glue lam (five layers of 1/2") to disperse weight across 7 trusses.

Add to that, I'll use the siding nailer to secure a whole bunch of truss dimensioned pieces/plates, to add support over factory joints (both sides) and Stongtie type factory plates. In short, the trusses will have zero problem holding a half ton.

 

[ali_c20]

I would love to have an overhead hoist.
Best would be a small bridge crane for reaching all areas of the garage.

 

[idahovette]

I have the cherry picker along with a 2 post hoist that I can swing the arms to the center and use it as a lift

 

[waterpirate]

I prefer the chain hoist. I think you get more incremental movement when doing the pick,
Eric

 

[Keith Seymore]

Hoist on a tool rail for me.

The cherry picker is notchy when moving across the floor, janky when extended up high, and mine would gradually drift down causing me to have to stop what is was doing and crank it back where I wanted it.

Plus you have to store the cherry picker somewhere when not in use.

K

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[Ricko1966]

Wondering how many use an overhead hoist instead of a cherry picker (hydraulic lift) to pull engines and mount them on stands. Looking for opinions and experiences on, primarily, chain hoists, those being a whole lot cheaper and easier to store.

SIDE NOTE: On the matter of the hoist, I have a LOT of OSB, Titebond and various nailers. I just built a 6" X 12'+ glue lam (five layers of 1/2") to disperse weight across 7 trusses.

Add to that, I'll use the siding nailer to secure a whole bunch of truss dimensioned pieces/plates, to add support over factory joints (both sides) and Stongtie type factory plates. In short, the trusses will have zero problem holding a half ton.

I threw a drive shaft over a bunch of garage rafters poked a hole in the ceiling sheet rock and hung a chain hoist from the center of the driveshaft. I wouldn't do it that way again. I was 15. Back to your question I got by with just a hoist for a long time,then got a cherry picker they both have their pros and cons. I suppose the hoist would be my choice if I could only have one. I just thought of something,have any of you ever tried rolling a car or truck on 4 wheels,no tires?

 

[Dejure]

Hey, that was as good as the swing set versions of the same I've seen.

Actually, I was very surprised to learn how stout the metal tubes are of many of them are. A friend gave me her swing set, so she didn't have to deal with it during a move.

I saved the pipes for projects. Used one section to create a 140# +/- 25# torsion box bed I made for a carving machine. It flips down (horizontal position) for use or up for storage by way of pivoting on a section the pipe. The pipe doesn't flinch holding the 4' x 6' wide bed in the horizontal position.

Anyway, just got done nailing together a 6" 150" glue lam that will disperse weight across about 7 trusses.

Will cut the 1/2"x24" pieces to go over the metal plates at the truss joints and some 12" 12" plates for over the other metal plates at spots where the 3 ea 2x's tie together.

 

[Dejure]

Hoist on a tool rail for me.

The cherry picker is notchy when moving across the floor, janky when extended up high, and mine would gradually drift down causing me to have to stop what is was doing and crank it back where I wanted it.

Plus you have to store the cherry picker somewhere when not in use.

K

Yeah, that storage thing is becoming a noticeable issue. Between the recently added over-engine creeper, the existing under-rig creeper, the engine stand, and parts storage, it's, all, starting to compromise my hording abilities.

With the the add-ons over plates on the trusses, I can toss the last few pieces of 4' x 8' OSB sheets down as flooring (replacing the single 2x4x12's tying all the trusses together to strengthen the truss build (did that on the other 35' section and it beefed it up significantly). All making for handy storage for light weight things (especially at the walls between the bays and the shop and the two outer walls.

 

[Bennyt]

I used to have an overhead hoist and it was great for loading trucks, engines, etc. and one day I'd like to have that set-up again.

The commonly sold engine hoists really have a lot of issues: Booms are too short, they sit too high and hit x-members and control arms, don't lift high enough, etc.

I got lucky about a year ago and bought a commercial cherry picker for $75 on Craigslist. It's tall, long boom, and the legs sit low for clearance. Breaks down very well. It's also heavy as heck and takes two to setup. If I didn't get it, I'd probably buy the gantry setup from HD.

 

[Keith Seymore]

I just thought of something,have any of you ever tried rolling a car or truck on 4 wheels,no tires?

Yes - I did that when I picked the body off the frame on the Chevelle.

It kept the overall cribbing lower and allowed me to scoot the chassis side to side for alignment when going back together.

K

 

[Dejure]

I stole an idea from the four wheel dollies that go under each wheel/tire/hub to allow you to move them around.

I built an 8' long, by 4' wide, and 6' tall wood rack. The first shot was using gurney casters. They held up to the nearly 1,000 pounds, but the gurney posts elongated the initially tight holes. This caused them to cant and the loaded rack was a bear to move.

I bought 12 heavy duty HF casters and mounted 3 on each corner. Now, I can move the loaded rack one handed.

The plywood plates I mounted the casters to are only about 6"x6". I doubled the plates (glue and screw or nails).

 

[Hunter79764]

I have been contemplating an A-Frame gantry on wheels large enough to handle outdoor terrain as well, possibly on inverted angle-iron track when I want it to ride smoothly. I have a number of things around where it would be handy to roll it into position, back the trailer near said item, and pick it up to load on the trailer. But i think by the time I design/build something stout enough, I'll need a hoist to pick it up... In the meanwhile, I just have a cherry picker that kinda works good enough

 

[hoagster]

I have both and prefer the overhead hoist. If you have a spot I'd make it permanent one and done you'll be surprised how many times you'll use it!

 

[Ricko1966]

I have both and prefer the overhead hoist. If you have a spot I'd make it permanent one and done you'll be surprised how many times you'll use it!

Not ME!!!! I end up parking something dead under it then I block that in with more dead projects ahead and behind it.

 

[Dejure]

Ignoring that little issue of being too tall, once loaded on a trailer or truck, to get out the door, a cherry picker couldn't do anything with any of them. A hoist, on the other hand, would pull it off.

If it were outside, on the slab in front of the one bays, it would be ideal. But then comes the issue of camouflaging it by building square pillars over the ends and something to pretty up the horizontal section.

Hmm. A new market, pillars (for those with vertical supports and walls for A-frame types) that snap around the ends and cover the tops? Out to be able to sell at least three every year or so.