Homemade Gantry Crane

[mrriggs]

As if I didn't have enough projects going... I worked in building a gantry crane. I started working on this project a few weeks ago when I had a lead on a cheap Bridgeport clone that the guy was desperate to move. Someone beat me to it so I stopped working on the crane. It made it back up the list when my dad told me he picked up an old Lincoln to use the frame for a hot rod truck and needed a way to get the body off.



Most of the crane is built from salvaged pallet racking. I made a deal with the shipping guy at work that I would come in before my shift and change out the bent beams and uprights, and got to keep anything I took out. Everything in our shop is 16' high and 12' long so it was easy to cut around the bent parts. I did have to buy the 5/16" plate to link the top part of the A-frame. The green uprights are two columns welded together and they slide up and down in the legs. This allows it to be adjustable to any height between 6.5' to 15' (I made two lengths of uprights). I still need to drill the holes in the plates to bolt them.

The width can also be adjusted by swapping out different length beams. I have a 6' set (shown), 10' and 12'. There is a guy down the street who sells used beams for $5-$15.

I still need to weld in a brace between the legs and weld on the wheels. I also plan to build a trolly. So far, after buying a chain hoist, wheels, and nuts and bolts, I'm into it for under $300. Not bad for a portable, modular crane that can be moved and setup by one guy.

[acj2001jones]

Nice home grown project. Only discouraging part is you can buy a cheapy chiner model with casters and all for about $650. Interested to know how much the final product will cost? Please post updates of the completed gantry. PS you did a great job finding materials, way to be resourceful!

[Professor]

Nice project!
For a one-man setup, how do you keep the two uprights in place while you insert the beam? Do you insert the beam in one, then lever it up while pulling the second upright? Doesn't that make for a high reach? Or do you fully assemble it lying on it's side then lift it into position?

[mrriggs]

I forgot all about this thread. Just stumbled into it while searching for something else.

Originally Posted by Professor

Nice project!
For a one-man setup, how do you keep the two uprights in place while you insert the beam? Do you insert the beam in one, then lever it up while pulling the second upright? Doesn't that make for a high reach? Or do you fully assemble it lying on it's side then lift it into position?

I usually set it up around my truck or trailer which gives me something to stand on so its a workable height. With the uprights in the lowest position, lean the legs against the sides of the bed. Put one beam on one of the uprights then tilt it up and drop it in the other upright. That'll hold it so I can install the other beam. Once both beams are attached and bolted, I hang the chain hoist. Then I raise it up with a farm jack. Put the farm jack under the upright between the legs, slide out the bolts and raise it up several inches, put a bolt or two in it to keep it from falling then move to the other side. Alternating side to side it will slowly but surely rise to great heights.

Some of the projects accomplished with the crane...

LTD body


Lincoln body


Warner & Swasey


The following picture shows how to hang the chain hoist from the beam. (refering to the setup on the left)


The blocks above and below prevent the strap from pinching the beam. The top blocks also help distribute the weight over a larger area. On my first heavy lift I found out the hard way what happens when these precautions are not taken. The strap actually pinched the beams flat which removed all strength and the whole thing came crashing down. Luckily, nobody was hurt.