Hoisting an I-beam …

Fungus · Oct 31, 2004

I’m trying to figure out a way to hoist this I-beam into place. The columns are 12’ high and the beam weighs 1200 lbs. Since my tractor can’t lift it that high I must either devise a simple cheap method myself or pay a crane service $150.

Since I have another 2 beams to place on another building I would rather devise a way to place them myself. I figure for the same money I can buy some scrap pipe, wire cable and few snatch blocks to get the job done. I could either use my come-along or tractor (probably the tractor) to pull the wire cable ends lifting the beam into place.

Any suggestions or configurations would be appreciated. I understand the safety issues so there is no reason to elaborate on them.

Thanks

GRUMPA · Oct 31, 2004

My other comp took a dump on me so I cant post a picture of it. What a few members did was to fabricate a boom pole to the FEL. Want it to lift it 12' make a 6' boom pole that mounts to the FEL. Sure beats paying for a crane and its still cheaper to have one made up, and you get to play with it...errrr.....work with it.

Henro · Oct 31, 2004

If the tractor will not lift the beam to begin with, a boom pole will not work.

You could slide the beam close to the bottom of the posts it will rest on, and then build a tripod from 16' 6x6 lumber to hook a chain block to, to lift the beam. You would have to tie the legs of the tripod together to pervent them from spreading under load.

I don't think it would be a big deal to do this.

I am not sure how much it weighed, but I did something similar to hoist a 26 foot 10x16 douglas fir beam without any difficulty at all, some years ago...but that one only went up about 8 foot. Still, a 26 foot 8x16 did go up 12+ feet without problem.

I am sure you can do it without too much difficulty...

1,200 lbs? That's only four large guys where I hang out... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

markct · Oct 31, 2004

how high does your loader lift, i know ours goes to just about 10ft, so if i had this job to do i would find a way to hold it ontop of the bucket, or block it up ontop of the forks would be best, basicly first you would lift the beam up onto a set of sawhorses or blocking, then simply get under it and lift it up with the top of the bucket or blocking

beenthere · Oct 31, 2004

Re: Hoisting an I-beam …

You might collect a lot of scrap pallets, and build a pallet column under each end, lifting one end at a time and sliding in another pallet. Then a boom pole on your bucket to get a couple extra feet in height might work for the 600 pounds each end.

But I would spring for the $150 bucks and get it done with the crane. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

jmc · Oct 31, 2004

If the beam length does not overhang the outside of the uprights, maybe temporarily bolt or U-bolt a vertical steel extension on the outside of each upright that sticks up far enough to accomdate the beam height plus come along or snatch block length. Use a come along at both ends, simultaneously, (more or less, if working alone). Pull straight down to avoid putting a side load on the upright.

JJT · Oct 31, 2004

Re: Hoisting an I-beam …

I'll second that vote for the crane. Be safe, it's only $150. 1 slip with the 1200# beam and someone's going to get hurt. You might be able to cobble something together, that might work. If your time isn't worth anything and you can live with a "might work" solution, go for it.

wroughtn_harv · Oct 31, 2004

Spend the hundred and fifty dollars. It's worth it.

However....... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you want to do it the way I would to prove I could...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've got two pieces of pipe that look similar to shepard hooks. They have eyes on the end for block and tackle attachments.

I would tack or clamp some guides from about four feet from the top bracket up to the bracket on each column. These are to guide the beam on it's way up around the brackets.

I would then weld the poles for the block and tackles on the inside of the poles and to the rear a little bit.

Two men with decent block tackles available at Northern Supply could place the beam with just effort and care.

I know. I placed two thirty foot sixteen inch I beams on top of pipe posts for a clear span three car carport. I did it just the way I described to you without any heavy equipment. My helper was a friend's kid just sixteen at the time. At no time was he at risk and it went like grass through a goose.

I also put four each four by six half inch wall square tubing pieces up the same way. Each piece weighed eight hundred pounds or so according to the calculator. What made this one interesting was the cuts were mitered and exact. Again, two men, two block and tackles, nothing but a thing.

Long before we had heavy equipment men have moved heavy objects successfully safely. You just have to have a serious need to do so. My biggest need these days is because I can. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Phred · Oct 31, 2004

I would get the crane also.

I unloaded a two post lift a while ago from my trailer.
Shipping weight was just under 1 ton, and ~10 feet long.
Its basically two steel beems (which are bolted togheter long ways for shipping) and a few other parts which are much lighter.
I guess each beam to be ~800 lbs.
My tractors loader is rated to just under 4000 lbs. No problem right?

Well the folks that loaded it used a real fork truck and grab it at the end with a fixture mounted on the end of the lift designed to let you slide your forks through and pick the whole package right up. They leave this fixture on and I have a set of 5000 lb rated forks.

Well I was sceptical since I saw the way it lifted up the back end on the fork truck when they loaded it. The guy made some comment about being hard to steer...duh! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I hooked up my forks and just barely lifted it from the end as a test......
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifsure enough too much weight out that far. So I set it back down rapidly with no harm done. Ended up unbolting the two halves and gradding it in the middle with a chain, one half at a time.

Moral of the story is I was working with a machine rated to ~2x the load weight and still could have been in hot water if I had not been careful.
A beam like that which is so long and being lifted so height can easily create a torque that will flip you over before you know what happened.
Hopefully when it flips you over it won't end up on your head.
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Not tyring to rain on your parade, just sharing my two cents...

Fred

KubotaSteve · Oct 31, 2004

Go with the crane. A 1200 lb beam is not something to fool around with. Besides if it falls on your tractor, it could scratch the paint.
It looks like you are building yourself a nice garage there. Everyone needs a lift in their garage /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Buy the lift pick the beam up with the tractor and lift tractor and all in the air a few feet and there you have it /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Maybe the crane is still the way to go.