Shop hoist

[john hall]

My only regret is we didn't do this years ago. Long story short I needed to pull my combine engine out last year, but I didn't have means to do so. I bought a Harbor Freight rolling gantry crane and did some modifications. I replaced the I-beam on top with one that was 20 ft long. Due to the new width I added gusset bracing on the corners (not shown in photos as the gantry is in its lowest position). It worked great, although I have found the winches on the sides for raising the gantry up are junk, so I replaced them. I've found no need to lower it, so it stays all the way up. I suppose if I have a job that is extremely heavy, I would lower it for stability.

Since then, I have found a new use for it, servicing lawnmowers! I just chain up each side of the front axle and hoist away, have used it on several lawnmowers this way. I need to make a slightly wider spreader bar so the drop chains don't rub the hood (on some machines), puts a little bit of pressure on my 2072 with current setup.

Prior to this we either manhandled everything or used a cherry picker, and lets be real, even a cherry picker doesn't work well to pull the engine from a lawnmower, especially if the deck is on.

[Maxx Catt]

Nice! Bet it also made man handling the radiator a piece of cake.
What is that, a 4420?

[john hall]

Originally Posted by Maxx Catt

Nice! Bet it also made man handling the radiator a piece of cake.
What is that, a 4420?

3300. Yes, pulling all the rotary screen and the radiator was much simpler with this. Other than actually putting the engine back into place, I did everything by myself, having to work smarter the older I get and no longer have a helper anytime I need one.

Next task will be pulling the reel from a Haybine, followed by pulling engine out of my 2284 Cadet.

[twoton]

Looks like a nice set up.