Gantry crane plans?

[F.J.]

Evening all,

Has anyone built their own gantry crane as I am on the look out for one or maybe build my own. Are there any kind of rules to follow when choosing the steel ie to lift more weight do I use bigger 'I' beams etc....

If anyone knows where one is for sale I'd be happy to receive any info.

Cheers

 

[rtbcomp]

I built one out of bits I had given, the guy from the HSE didn't like it much, but he was OK when I explained I didn't use it for business.

I guess there are rules for lifting gear used in connection with a business, but not for hobby use.

 

[Kent]

Take care with whatever you do in this regards and triple check everything , I have experience of things going bad that I wont forget

 

[F.J.]

I assume then that if I bought one I would get some form of cert that would keep the hse happy?

I have access to a few I beams, not sure of sizes, and have some scaffold tower wheels. I have also just started looking around for a heavy duty block and tackle or electric hoist to mount to the top runner but will forget about it if im going to end up getting my balls chewed for not having some sort of test cert for it

 

[Rig Pig]

Lifting equipment is controlled under LOLER and PUWER, it must be inspected annually by an independent inspector. You can build lifting appliances but they have to be fully engineered, proof load tested and certified & in the event of a failure there is no one else to shift the blame onto! I have been part of an HSE investigation into a Crane accident, believe me they leave no stone unturned!
I suspect that the cost of buying a ready built certified gantry is less than the cost & hassle of making one from scratch for a business, luckily the rules don't apply to home users!

 

[Kent]

I assume then that if I bought one I would get some form of cert that would keep the hse happy?

I have access to a few I beams, not sure of sizes, and have some scaffold tower wheels. I have also just started looking around for a heavy duty block and tackle or electric hoist to mount to the top runner but will forget about it if im going to end up getting my balls chewed for not having some sort of test cert for it

Seriously think any competent person could, but is this one really worth it, I had forgotten all about the testing requirement but have seen the back end investigations in action

 

[Cyberprog]

I assume then that if I bought one I would get some form of cert that would keep the hse happy?

I have access to a few I beams, not sure of sizes, and have some scaffold tower wheels. I have also just started looking around for a heavy duty block and tackle or electric hoist to mount to the top runner but will forget about it if im going to end up getting my balls chewed for not having some sort of test cert for it

I'm not sure I'd use scaff tower wheels for a gantry crane. I'd be thinking about building two U shaped pieces opposite one another out of hefty RSJ's, then an I shaped beam trolley to run along them, with decent bearing runners. Then a similar underslung trolley with the hoist on it. Sadly I don't have the headroom in my current man cave, but maybe one day

 

[Welderpaul]

And just to add to your pain, you need to be BS1090 Execution Class 3 accredited to fabricate overhead cranes

 

[Cyberprog]

Yep, well, if you're planning on doing it as a business. If it were for my own personal workshop I wouldn't worry too much. Mind you, bound to be simpler to just buy an old one off eBlag and adjust to suit (length/width/height)

 

[F.J.]

Thanks for all the input gents, a friend of mine has given me details of place where I could get one tested should I build my own but with the other requirements needed I think I may well just buy one.

As it happens the particular job I needed a crane for turns out that I can get away using a stacker truck due to the size of machine. Other machines are bigger so I am still on the look out, it just gives me more time to search for the right crane.

Thanks again