Since I'm too old to lift engines...

[kpinnc 16,908]

Firstly, forgive my mess because I'm stuck indoors and I'll clean up when I can open the garage again.

 

I welded a hitch reciever to my welding table for using my mini crane and for using my tire changer. But I got to thinking that it wouldn't take much weight on the crane to tip the table. So I made a folding outrigger to support it. 

 

I won't lift anything heavier than a Kohler or Onan, and I'll stay inside the 90 degree space formed by the outrigger. My back just won't tolerate moving an engine from the tractor to the table. 

 

We'll see how it works soon. At least it looks neat...  and Rubble approves! 

 

Or maybe he just likes the heater... 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by kpinnc

[ri702bill 11,115]

Next best thing in lieu of an overhead hoist on a trolley.....

[WHX?? 54,255]

19 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

forgive my mess

 

19 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

back just won't tolerate moving an engine from the tractor to the table. 

 

Preachin to the choir here ... 

[SylvanLakeWH 30,388]

That is cool! 

[kpinnc 16,908]

39 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Next best thing in lieu of an overhead hoist on a trolley.....

 

Thank you! 

 

I'd love to have an overhead setup but my garage doesn't have support big enough in my opinion, and I don't have the avaliable steel currently to build one. 

 

There is a decent one at Harbor Freight but it's outside my price range at the moment. 

 

I got the idea of making the crane setup from Don @Lee1977. I can move it to the tractor whenever needed outside. 

 

 

Edited 8 hours ago by kpinnc

[SylvanLakeWH 30,388]

They are very handy!!!

 

 

[kpinnc 16,908]

10 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

They are very handy!!!

 

Yes they are!

[squonk 45,264]

I have a chain fall connected to an 8x8 beam and a HF hydraulic lift table. Still a bit of a lift to get it on the bench but more of a slide than a lift.

 

Save your back. There are so many lifts in it. I don't care what kind of shape you're in, how many times you've lifted weights or how macho you think you are. Doesn't take much to get something in the back out of sorts. Going 6 years on my back surgery and I'm sure if I live another 10 yrs. they will have to do the other side. Already starting to feel the symptoms.

[kpinnc 16,908]

8 minutes ago, squonk said:

Save your back. There are so many lifts in it. I don't care what kind of shape you're in, how many times you've lifted weights or how macho you think you are. Doesn't take much to get something in the back out of sorts.

 

You are absolutely correct. I've strained my back a couple times being stupid and it took a while to recover. That was when I was younger and (unbelievably) stupider. No way I'm gonna do it now. 

 

What started this whole thing is last year I removed my balance gears on the Bronco 14. Unfortunately the oil pan gasket I had to make up has failed and it has developed a leak that is more than a weep but less than a gusher. I don't want to use it this way and now the engine has the correct electric clutch on it. Last time I lifted the engine without a clutch and without the oil pan. It was still more than I liked picking up. Not gonna do that again! 

[ri702bill 11,115]

"Bring out your Dead...."

[c-series don 11,113]

I’ve been unfortunate to have back problems since I was in my twenties. Now I won’t even attempt to lift anything heavy. If someone asks me for help lifting something heavy have to apologize and say I simply can’t do it. I’d rather have someone be mad for not helping than be laid up for a week or more. When I bought the loader for my C-141, the guy said he felt like he was selling his best friend! He then explained anytime he needed to move something heavy he didn’t need to call anyone, he just used the loader. Now I know what he was talking about! The funny thing is though, like many of us here(I’m sure) my back has gone out picking up something that weighs next to nothing. Once I attempted to pick up my underwear off the bathroom floor and BOOM 🤯 I was down on my hands and knees in excruciating pain. When I crawled out of the bathroom my wife knew right away what happened. She had to help me in bed where I spent the rest of the day. I feel like I could have jinxed myself just talking about having my back go out!! 

[Bill D 2,566]

Based on the recommendation of another RS member, I picked up a small medical crane for moving disabled people.   Excellent for lifting small engines. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Bill D

[Blue Chips 629]

1 hour ago, c-series don said:

I’ve been unfortunate to have back problems since I was in my twenties. Now I won’t even attempt to lift anything heavy.

 

Interestingly, my back seems to go out less often than it used to, and for shorter periods of time (touch wood). I joke that it's because there aren't many discs left to mash.  Or maybe I'm just subconsciously being more careful. I've lost over two inches in height over the decades, which might give you an idea of how I've used/abused my back. Be careful with that heavy stuff.

[8ntruck 8,556]

7 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

They are very handy!!!

 

 

Lifting, OK.  I would not pulled on anything too hard - that is a really long lever arm to pull the tractor over backwards with.

[kpinnc 16,908]

46 minutes ago, 8ntruck said:

Lifting, OK.  I would not pulled on anything too hard - that is a really long lever arm to pull the tractor over backwards with.

 

With mine, and I think @SylvanLakeWH as well, I place a trailer behind me for the heavy stuff and lift the object onto the trailer before pulling too much weight. 

 

You can also lower a heavy object down to only an inch or two off the ground as well before pulling. You might drag it, but it helps keep the leverage lower. 

 

I said all that to say this: I agree with you 100%. And also there are ways to move things safely with this setup. I've been thinking of making a large Caster setup to use for that very reason, almost like a wheelie bar. Project for warmer weather!