A-frame for engine hoist value vs price and options

[Grumpy]

I've used an engine crane for almost all the engine swap jobs I've done and found that with a few modifications such as a swivel hook

https://www.mfrexpress.com/alloy-swivel ... p-701.html
and when used with an engine leveler

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-heavy-duty-load-leveler-60659.html

its fully adequate for most jobs, but adding some 8" swivel casters has some real advantages.
but my brother-in-lays 29 ft boat needs to have its engine replaced, he can't get it into my shop as the 8 ft tall door is far too low for clearance and I can,t use an engine crane as the automotive engine crane Ive used for decades does not have adequate height too allow the engine to clear the boats transom .
http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-rubber-heavy-duty-cushion-tire-swivel-caster-with-brake-61836.html

the engine crane Ive been using for decades is no longer listed but its very similar to this one too whick I added 6 8" swivel casters as I found that adding the swivel casters (yeah it added about $150 to the cost) but it was in my opinion well worth the extra expense
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/3-Ton-Hydraulic-Engine-Crane

to pull the engine on his boat we will need a 12 ft tall A-frame ,
(ideally with a electrical winch but obviously theres manual options and cost is always an issue)
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200651803_200651803?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Material Handling > Hoists, Lifts + Cranes&utm_campaign=Vestil&utm_content=103133&cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=google_PLA&utm_campaign=&mkwid=sALB1y381&pcrid=39129660716&devicetype=c&gclid=CLKcirieuswCFQmSaQodiN8KNg

engine cranes like this come in a wide variety of heights , and widths and costs vary with the size and clearances
the less expensive versions cost $500-$800 bot don.t have the 12 ft vertical clearance or the 120"-140" width to allow the boat on its trailer to be driven under the A-frame and even the ones that do have the clearance and strength required that list for $1200-$1300 , only come with a trolley

too hook a come-along too, or a differential chain pulley not an electric winch, so adding an electric winch adds an additional $160-$400 not, ideal financially

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Northern-Industrial-Adjustable-Gantry-Crane-1000-lb-Cap-200789-/331370803313

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-half-ton-lever-chain-hoist-66106.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-telescoping-gantry-crane-62510.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/1300-lb-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-62853.html

$170

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-16-ft-extra-long-lift-chain-hoist-30324.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-push-trolley-97392.html

yes theres options but as you can see none are really dirt cheap, when you want to have a 12 ft tall and roughly 11 ft wide A-frame, so we started too look into building one ourselves, now I would have preferred to design and fabricate one with an I-beam, rolling trolley and electrical power hoist and weld it up using an
(I) beam upper beam, with a trolley, and a 4" x 4" square steel tube , 12 foot tall vertical support with 1/4" thick tube and a 10 ft wide base with casters an 1" square 12 ft long bolt on bracket style angle braces on both sides of both vertical supports plus two 1" x 3" box steel angle braces about 5 ft long from the upper (I ) beam to the vertical 4"x 4" tube side supports,
pricing this out locally $600 easily covers the basic A-frame materials
KEEP IN MIND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S COST EFFECTIVE , to BUILD,IF YOUR NOT GOING TO RE-USE IT REGULARLY
the next options pricing out WOOD BEAMS
a few calcs show that 12 ft long 2" x 6" boards cost $8.68, each
you need (16), total $138
plus (6) 8 ft 2x4 boards $5.60 total $33.60
http://www.homedepot.com/p/WeatherS...ime-Pressure-Treated-Lumber-2221253/100081803
http://www.homedepot.com/p/WeatherS...rime-Pressure-Treated-Lumber-168746/100050025
plus brackets
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-10-in-Zinc-Plated-Mending-Plate-15390/202034036
at $3 each 12 total $36
TOTAL $208, plus $170 for the electric winch so thats the route to go for the basic A-FRAME
$380 or so total for a well built wood A-frame with electric winch

yeah! the taller old geezer is your truly AKA GRUMPY ,
helping my B.I.L. swap in a new boat engine

related threads & info
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-crane-and-engine-stand-mods-accesories.3724/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/electric-hoist-overhead-crane.12188/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/fabricate-shop-crane.8789/

 

[87vette81big]

I will read & watch Grumpy.
Someday I will have the 2-3-4 car garage I want.
'Till then I am working outside.
Gold Poncho in garage now & its staying. Racecar..

I like the A-frame Engine hoist.
I call them Gantry Cranes.

 

[87vette81big]

I Like Redneck Options Grumpy.
I watched the Vids.

 

[Grumpy]

http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-l...winch-with-wireless-remote-control-61297.html

just a heads up on this project, my B.I.L. purchased this winch rated at 2500 LBS from HF
if you look at the boat engine pictured above it with all accessories bolted onto it,
It weights less than 800 lbs, or 1/3rd of its rated lift rate
(most automotive winchs Ive used over the years ,have the ability to pull just a bit higher than they are rated at,if they have a connection to fully charged batteries.
(maybe 5%-to 10% in most cases)
now I really don,t care that this is a piece of crap, because I don,t own it
but I will point out as a service to the members reading this thread,
that an 800 lb engine suspended from the A-FRAME we built to pull the boat engine
and this winch REQUIRED us to use BOTH the winch connected to two new 12 volt car batteries , with jumper cables ,
plus my battery charger set on its 200 amp car start position,
PLUS both of us physically lifting the engine, too manually to reduce,
the load was required to get it to lift up
on the winch to allow the 2500 lb rated winch
(with all that help !
to lift the 700 lb-800 lb engine!)

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/jumper-cables.4055/#post-10771

 

[87vette81big]

I read Grumpy.
That Sucks.
China crap does suck.
If you were closer I would have loaned you my 2-ton Chain Hoist.
Just need a Large Tree limb.
Lifts Pontiac 455's & Tall Deck 427 BBC with ease.

 

[Grumpy]

thanks! the whole deal was brought about by the fact he bought a boat with a blown engine , for peanuts to be able to save a great deal of money, knowing that he could get it replaced rather reasonably compared to the price any marina mechanic would charge and had no place to work on it!
he was quoted about two to three times what a new engine alone costs, yes theres problems because marime parts are much more expensive than car parts
EXAMPLE
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2506/overview/make/chevrolet MARINE $416
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-7101 AUTO..$205
the difference is the marine intake REQUIRES a BRASS LINED COOLANT PASSAGE as salt water would eat an aluminum intake up into powder in months time, there are lots of parts you might not have thought of!

http://www.amazon.com/Volvo-Penta-M...1&keywords=chevy+350+marine+exhaust+manifolds MARINE $800

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9200n auto $140



I've got two engine cranes plus a 5 ton differential chain hoist, the problem was that his boat would not fit through the shop door height, and I don,t have any trees with limbs able to handle the weight in areas that the boat on a trailer can easily gain access too!

 

[87vette81big]

Yes Palm Trees in Florida won't work .
Unique to Florida and California Palm trees.

 

[NOT A TA]

I don't think the 2500 lbs is a "rated lift rate". Looks like the only part of the winch that's rated for 2500 lbs is the cable. To think a $79.00 HF winch designed to help get ATV's unstuck (not lift them) would lift 800 lbs was wishful thinking. You're lucky neither of you got hurt.

 

[87vette81big]

I think Grumpy did many Crazy stuff when he was a Young Man.
Age does not stop him.

 

[87vette81big]

 

[Grumpy]

as to doing a few less than well thought through things when younger...."Id have too reluctantly plead GUILTY" but I try darn hard not to repeat mistakes
I would NEVER have purchased or used the winch he selected If i was making the decisions but my B.I.L. is one hard headed stubborn individual that refuses to take advise based on experience, even when shown facts

 

[87vette81big]

At least your Feeling Better Grumpy.
Obviously Still Physical Strong.
And Headstrong Too.

 

[NOT A TA]

Last couple boat engine installs I used a fork lift. Back hoes work well too. Don't like boat engine swaps, no room and almost always out in the sun. Now I "just say no". ahahaha

 

[87vette81big]

I am Wiilling to take on any Jobs.
Even if I am likely to die.
$$$$ For the Wifee & Kids.