Rigging/ Loading

[Bernard Arnest]

I have been working on blocks of stone between 1000# and 2700#.

 

Luckily, when I moved these the first time, I could use a large 2-axis gantry (I was purchasing from a professional stoneyard) to load, and at the studio a boom crane.

 

Another time, where loading, we rented a 14' trailer and used a humble engine crane --strained to dangerous limits, I might note-- to barely lift 3 blocks weight 1500, 2200, and 2500# respectively onto the trailer, and again unloaded with the boom crane installed at the studio in Baltimore.

That was not a happy weekend. To get height enough on the engine crane even to get onto the trailer, let alone a truck, required setting the boom to the 1/2 ton setting while actually lifting over 1-1/4 tons. And even then it was by miracle that it cleared the height. Scary.

 

On a more regular basis, I'm working with 400, 600#, and have a wesco hand truck. But it itself weighs 200#, which is a bit of a nuisance; and can't handle more than 600#.

 

 

SO-- I'm looking for better options :-)

-portable gantry?

-aluminum tripod crane? easier to build for myself. Simpler to dismantle into straight beams alone, but each beam has to be longer, even 16', making it a hazard sticking out of the truck

-lift gate for loads just past a half ton?

-ramps and hydraulic wench to pull loads into the truck?

[Bernard Arnest]

On the subject of gantries, I was looking at one in particular:

 

Through tomorrow, harbor freight is offering 20% off any one item.

Previously, they had only a heavier duty gantry that wasn't so very portable, and, a wimpy one that was only rated for 600#-- something my wesco handtruck can handle.

But recently they came up with this model, only 265lbs, rated for a ton which is what I need-- perfect, and at $320 after coupon? Do you think the safety factor will let it handle 1-1/4 tons, and, that I could throw it in the back of a truck on top/ to the side of some stone?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...temnumber=66273

 

There are heavier duty, more collapsible models out there. This recently ended on ebay, maybe I should wait for another to come around. It's not made in china, possibly a huge plus on quality control-- this is not something like a drill bit, where if it dulls prematurely you just throw it out and buy the better set.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=350182879673