Electric Hoist worth the Investment?

[Ashley Burton]

Been toying with the idea for a while now, I did do a search before posting. But couldn't find anything!

I don't really want to have a Gantry Crane, As they are a little over kill for my needs. The only other option I thought about is would an engine crane be a good option instead of an a Electric Hoist due to its versatility?

Look forward to hearing some feedback on your own personal experiences!

 

[daleyd]

Surely It’d be impossible to say without some more info on what you intend to do with it/where it’s going etc??

 

[Ashley Burton]

Surely It’d be impossible to say without some more info on what you intend to do with it/where it’s going etc??

I have some 10mm plate to move which is pretty heavy. But also thought it would be handy for any tasks in the future that require heavy lifting. Would rather not do my back in if it can be prevented.

 

[daleyd]

I guess it would depend how much exactly you plan on doing in the future and what price you can get it for? Also would you have power available where you wanted to use it? Why not get hold of a cheap handraulic one and if you feel you need to upgrade then go for the electric at a later date?

I would have one in a flash but I don’t currently have a lifting beam in the garage (need to rectify that!) and don’t have a huge need to lift heavy stuff on a regular basis - I do have a hand chain block which I use if I need something lifting but it’s so infrequent I use it I couldn’t justify an electric one however nice it would be.

 

[Turbo]

A 500kg or a 1 tonne chain block would be a lot cheaper than an electric hoist for the same capacity. You are not tied to being near a power outlet & no electric wires to get in the way or worry about cutting.

You can get second hand chain blocks very cheap but unless you know what to check you are better buying new.

You don't say how you are mounting the hoist but an engine crane is a very versatile piece of equipment & a good investment. Mine has only lifted out 2 engines but has been used to lift countless other things!

 

[Agrismith]

Depends how much you need to move about
An engine crane on uneven floor to move 10mm plate would not be that easy especially if you want to get a sheet onto a table
If you want to get a sheet onto a table a gantry preferably with to chain blocks would be a better way anything smaller than sheets might be easier with sack barrows and a hydraulic table or something
There are companies that sell counter balance engine cranes which might be another option to give ypu more manoeuvrability

 

[AdrianH]

I did a slightly naughty thing some time ago when building the kit car, I bought an electric hoist around 400-500Kg lift, cost all of £40. I fastened it to some 2 inch scaff tube, that that then sat on some 4 x 4 inch wood pieces that sat over the tie beams in the garage, over 4 beams if memory serves me correct.
It was enough to lift the engine and gearbox in and out several times, but then again I was probably only lifting around 200 Kg tops. I would not try to lift 500kg or I think the roof would come down.

I would suggest that unless you have a travelling beam in the place you are wishing to place the steel you would be better off with a long fork pallet truck.

Adrian

 

[Ashley Burton]

I did a slightly naughty thing some time ago when building the kit car, I bought an electric hoist around 400-500Kg lift, cost all of £40. I fastened it to some 2 inch scaff tube, that that then sat on some 4 x 4 inch wood pieces that sat over the tie beams in the garage, over 4 beams if memory serves me correct.
It was enough to lift the engine and gearbox in and out several times, but then again I was probably only lifting around 200 Kg tops. I would not try to lift 500kg or I think the roof would come down.

I would suggest that unless you have a travelling beam in the place you are wishing to place the steel you would be better off with a long fork pallet truck.

Adrian

The problem with a pallet truck is storage space & very minimal lift. Think I might go down the engine crane route. But even they use up plenty of space!

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

The problem with a pallet truck is storage space & very minimal lift. Think I might go down the engine crane route. But even they use up plenty of space!

Agree with you both those options take a far amount of space. I've considered an overhead gantry, quite simple to make and take up little room.

 

[AdrianH]

If you think about an engine crane and how you would lift a sheet of steel. i would guess that you would have to lift it by the edge, so say an 8 x 4 ft sheet would still be low to the ground. If it's lifting to stack vertical, then OK, if it is lifting to place on something you may struggle for height.

You could also try the high lift scissor pallet trucks, or a high lift platform/table truck. such as this is what I mean:- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYDRAULIC-HIGH-LIFT-TABLE-TO-LIFT-UP-TO-500KG/122122273416

Adrian

 

[Ashley Burton]

Agree with you both those options take a far amount of space. I've considered an overhead gantry, quite simple to make and take up little room.

I could do with a bigger garage, But where do you stop? Haha

If you think about an engine crane and how you would lift a sheet of steel. i would guess that you would have to lift it by the edge, so say an 8 x 4 ft sheet would still be low to the ground. If it's lifting to stack vertical, then OK, if it is lifting to place on something you may struggle for height.

You could also try the high lift scissor pallet trucks, or a high lift platform truck. I pallet truck could be used as a work top for things as well.

Adrian

A couple of straps would work fine with an engine crane, They give some pretty good lift tbh!

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

I think gantry could be perfect solution for small garage! 4 or 6 posts from the floor, and one section spanning across.

 

[Agrismith]

If you want to lift an 8ft sheet then you wont be able to drop it down easily as you will only put it down on the legs or you may extend the jib to far and the whole crane will upend itself
They are great for working on cars but very little else and can easily make a job harder work than it need be as are hard to manoeuvre
If you want to get it on a table look at the hydraulic tables as you can shimmy it on to it at low level then lift ot all the way to working height
If you just want to stand it up a block and tackle and move it on a sack barrow

But without doubt sheet steel has a massive potential to injur so dont bodge it
Can you have it cut to size before delivery or have it dropped somewhere it can be cut down ??
Or does your steel stockist offer forklift delivery

 

[Ashley Burton]

If you want to lift an 8ft sheet then you wont be able to drop it down easily as you will only put it down on the legs or you may extend the jib to far and the whole crane will upend itself
They are great for working on cars but very little else and can easily make a job harder work than it need be as are hard to manoeuvre
If you want to get it on a table look at the hydraulic tables as you can shimmy it on to it at low level then lift ot all the way to working height
If you just want to stand it up a block and tackle and move it on a sack barrow

But without doubt sheet steel has a massive potential to injur so dont bodge it
Can you have it cut to size before delivery or have it dropped somewhere it can be cut down ??
Or does your steel stockist offer forklift delivery

When I had it delivered I cut the 2m x 1m 10mm sheet in half, Then man handled it with some extra hands. But even that was a struggle!

Typically the time you need to move something you don't have an extra pair of hands to help. The other half would probably break her nails if I asked her for a hand!

 

[Agrismith]

If delivered by a wall sat on some 2x4s once cut down to the size you state you should be able to get that lent up against the wall and a sack truck under it or have it pre cut and have delivery driver stand it up
One of thoose hand operated forklifts might be the most universal tool as can easily place aginst wall or lift onto bench

 

[Agrismith]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Slingsby-Material-Manual-Stacker-Pedestrian-Folk-Lift-500kg-/322877823807

 

[Ashley Burton]

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Slingsby-Material-Manual-Stacker-Pedestrian-Folk-Lift-500kg-/322877823807

I don't know what size of garage you think I own? But its definitely not the size of a warehouse! More like a single garage. So don't think that would be appropriate for my needs!

A sack barrow or even a board trolley would be good to move sheet around.

 

[123hotchef]

I have the electric hoist/winch from Lidl served me well up too 300kg thus far

 

[Ashley Burton]

I have the electric hoist/winch from Lidl served me well up too 300kg thus far

Will have to keep an eye open for one of those! Are they a reasonable good deal when you bought yours?

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

How often do you actually intend to move this sort of thing? If once a week or more have a good think about a gantry, you'll loose the diameter of each beam only, and a little bit of headroom .