Chain Hoist Experiences?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: NC
Chain Hoist Experiences?
I'm trying to decide which hoist or winch to use. I have an I-beam gantry with a manual trolley but not sure what to hang on it. All I've discovered so far is that the good hoists or winches are way too expensive, and the cheap ones are, well, cheap with limited single line hoisting capacity. I like the electric chain hoists, but there's that big $ issue again, so what about a manual chain hoist? Doesn't the chain get in the way? Seems like it would be yet another item to look after when pulling a body, for example. Let me hear your experiences, please.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 36
From: Cedar,BC
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 1
From: Algonac Michigan
I would have preferred to use a chain fall for my heavy lifting but I had limited height So I bought a cherrypicker instead. Still got the job done.
Which ever you choose...Patience is the key!
Which ever you choose...Patience is the key!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: deland fl
I'm trying to decide which hoist or winch to use. I have an I-beam gantry with a manual trolley but not sure what to hang on it. All I've discovered so far is that the good hoists or winches are way too expensive, and the cheap ones are, well, cheap with limited single line hoisting capacity. I like the electric chain hoists, but there's that big $ issue again, so what about a manual chain hoist? Doesn't the chain get in the way? Seems like it would be yet another item to look after when pulling a body, for example. Let me hear your experiences, please.
and is rated at 1/4 ton. It is about 35 years old but has never failed to lift anything including a 69 BB with tranny attached, the body off my
75, and the back half of a chevy station wagon. The only problem I have with it is that the speed is not variable. When you hit the "lift" switch you damn well better have everything disconnected that is supposed to be. Also, lowering a motor into the hole or body back on frame there is no finesse. Nice and convenient but sometimes scarey.
You would have more control with a manual chain hoist.
My $.02
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
When I went down that road of deciding what type lift to use, the all mighty dollar made my decision. I got this picker for less than an I beam would have cost, not to mention the beam trolley and chainfall or comealong,...none of which I had.
This is not the most heavy duty picker I've seen, but I've pulled the motor out of the Vette three times already, and even used it to lift my tractor off the floor to sharpen the blades....(Too lazy to drop the deck.)
For what it's worth I work alone, and the picker allows me to precisely lift and hold the motor exactly where I need it, so I can align bolt holes, etc.
This is not the most heavy duty picker I've seen, but I've pulled the motor out of the Vette three times already, and even used it to lift my tractor off the floor to sharpen the blades....(Too lazy to drop the deck.)
For what it's worth I work alone, and the picker allows me to precisely lift and hold the motor exactly where I need it, so I can align bolt holes, etc.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland Ohio
The hand chain for a manual chain hoist can be shortened. I got tired of the chain hitting everything. The chain hoist now has a 1ft drop on the hand chain. It helps keep all that chain out of the way 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I did my last motor install with a $60 Harbor Freight 2ton chain hoist so I didn't have to retrieve my cherry-picker for my freind's house and take up garage space I need. When I told him I was doing the motor installation he said: good you can come over and get your cherry-picker, my response: NO! Harbor Freight is making you store it for another year (finders-keepers
)
)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
When I went down that road of deciding what type lift to use, the all mighty dollar made my decision. I got this picker for less than an I beam would have cost, not to mention the beam trolley and chainfall or comealong,...none of which I had.
This is not the most heavy duty picker I've seen, but I've pulled the motor out of the Vette three times already, and even used it to lift my tractor off the floor to sharpen the blades....(Too lazy to drop the deck.)
For what it's worth I work alone, and the picker allows me to precisely lift and hold the motor exactly where I need it, so I can align bolt holes, etc.
This is not the most heavy duty picker I've seen, but I've pulled the motor out of the Vette three times already, and even used it to lift my tractor off the floor to sharpen the blades....(Too lazy to drop the deck.)
For what it's worth I work alone, and the picker allows me to precisely lift and hold the motor exactly where I need it, so I can align bolt holes, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I'm trying to decide which hoist or winch to use. I have an I-beam gantry with a manual trolley but not sure what to hang on it. All I've discovered so far is that the good hoists or winches are way too expensive, and the cheap ones are, well, cheap with limited single line hoisting capacity. I like the electric chain hoists, but there's that big $ issue again, so what about a manual chain hoist? Doesn't the chain get in the way? Seems like it would be yet another item to look after when pulling a body, for example. Let me hear your experiences, please.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...long-post.html
Last edited by Denpo; Dec 21, 2010 at 11:41 AM. Reason: added the price
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: NC
Here's a photo chop of my idea to get the chains out of the way. Still needs a pulley on the trolley and some trolley locking pins, but you get the idea. This can be moved to either side. Good-bad-ugly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
i don't think that lacing the chain thru a loop and then to the load will work. mount the chain hoist over the load, and then use a piece of pvc pipe as a tunnel for the control chain. run a bolt (or such) thru the pipe at the operators end so the chain can't slip out. that way the chain is always in the correct place, and it can't damage the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
i don't think that lacing the chain thru a loop and then to the load will work. mount the chain hoist over the load, and then use a piece of pvc pipe as a tunnel for the control chain. run a bolt (or such) thru the pipe at the operators end so the chain can't slip out. that way the chain is always in the correct place, and it can't damage the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,842
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I found a local store that sold stuff like Harbor Freight, not sure what the name of the place was, but the whole deal was under $200. I used to rent one every time, and this one has paid for itself already.....
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 415
Likes: 10
From: Richmond Va
I use a one ton chain hoist from a I beam in my garage. And yes, the chain is pain the tail, but I usually have a friend around that will hold the chain or help keep it off the motor/car.
How did you shorten the chain or your hoist? I would love to do this, but not sure how to do it w/out a larger link in the chain. Weld up the link after you cut out the unwanted length.
How did you shorten the chain or your hoist? I would love to do this, but not sure how to do it w/out a larger link in the chain. Weld up the link after you cut out the unwanted length.
