Need a lift idea

[kc5dlo]

I have a 30x50 metal building with living quarters on one side, (think 15x50). Above the living area is my storage area. I did build stairs to get up there but would like to have some sort of lift to get some of the seldom used items up there easily and back down if needed. For instance I rarely use my table saw and would love to store it upstairs but it is too awkward to try and carry it upstairs. The easiest thing might be building a platform to mount on some pallet forks for the tractor. Problem with that idea is my shop is too cluttered right now to get the tractor inside and I might downsize to a compact tractor soon and am not sure it could lift the 9 or so feet to the storage level. Any ideas on what works well?

 

[Peter 315]

Kids:laughing:

 

[Gem99ultra]

I'll be watching this thread... I have 1700 sqft of floored & lighted space 'upstairs' that I can't get to. Considered a stairway, but would LIKE to have a lift. Scissor lift might would suffice but hesitate to lay out the bucks until I know the best, aka cheapest workable, solution.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Other than manual labor...
Do you have a main beam at the top to attach a chain and hoist???
You could build a platform similar to a dumbwaiter and then attach this to a chain and hoist to get the items up to the top...

 

[zzvyb6]

Swinging jib crane mounted up there. Surface elevator cut into the floor space. Hinged ramp.

 

[TheeKb]

I’m with chain and hoist. Maybe even couple that idea with a rail the length of the area attached to the beam where the hoist can slide back and forth. Better yet what about a crane? Like I see some of my handicapped folk use out of the back of their trucks to swing their wheelchairs back and forth to them. U could mount it to the second floor “balcony”. Just the base and swing arm/crane,pulley ie hardware. U could use an electric winch and thread the cable thru the pulleys

 

[zzvyb6]

I知 with chain and hoist. Maybe even couple that idea with a rail the length of the area attached to the beam where the hoist can slide back and forth. Better yet what about a crane? Like I see some of my handicapped folk use out of the back of their trucks to swing their wheelchairs back and forth to them. U could mount it to the second floor 澱alcony? Just the base and swing arm/crane,pulley ie hardware. U could use an electric winch and thread the cable thru the pulleys

The problem with just a chain hoist is that it's always in the wrong position. Either it is aligned with the ground or with the upper deck. When it's time to load or unload, you have to swing the hook out on an angle that often leads to disaster. The swinging jib is a rotating chainfall or cranked block & tackle that lets you suspend the hook directly over the object in both loaded and unloaded locations. For something as light as a table saw or mower deck, you could make one out of timbers and a boat winch.

 

[blackrams]

Other than manual labor...
Do you have a main beam at the top to attach a chain and hoist???
You could build a platform similar to a dumbwaiter and then attach this to a chain and hoist to get the items up to the top...

I have a friend who had a similar problem as the OP. He went out and found a small fork lift mast and bolted it to the floor and added a platform to the forks. Gives him the height and lift capability to put anything the floor of the upper structure will support up there.

This mast came off of a small fork truck that was no longer in service and had a bad engine. Wasn't worth fixing. He powered it with a small electric AC motor. Works like a charm. When not in use, he leaves the platform in the raised position so, it's out of the way.

Might be something for you to consider. He got the whole mast with forks and hydraulic cylinder for scrap pricing.

Rams

 

[RNeumann]

I’m with chain and hoist. Maybe even couple that idea with a rail the length of the area attached to the beam where the hoist can slide back and forth. Better yet what about a crane? Like I see some of my handicapped folk use out of the back of their trucks to swing their wheelchairs back and forth to them. U could mount it to the second floor “balcony”. Just the base and swing arm/crane,pulley ie hardware. U could use an electric winch and thread the cable thru the pulleys

This was my idea too. Either mounted on a track or a simple pole and boom.

If that’s too much money a block and tackle with a prusik or other braking device will get the job done.

For some reason hoarding isn’t hoarding when it’s in the shop or barn. We aren’t crazy- they are crazy!

 

[TractorGuy]

It's gonna cost no matter what. A chain hoist with that high of lift may be hard to find. Using a chain hoist may work but you would need an I-beam across the building and attach the hoist to a trolley. I use to have a setup like that in my auto shop and it worked great for pulling engines. Not as good as an engine crane though.

You might look into residential elevators and see if one of those is in your required weight capacity and price range. A google search turned up a unit with a 600 lb capacity for under 4 grand.

 

[TnAndy]

Other than manual labor...
Do you have a main beam at the top to attach a chain and hoist???
You could build a platform similar to a dumbwaiter and then attach this to a chain and hoist to get the items up to the top...

I use a home made dumbwaiter to lift a car of fire wood from the basement up to the ground floor level. Build a vertical track out of 2" angle, build a 'car' big enough to handle the bulky stuff you want to send up, mount a 120v winch at the bottom, a snatch block pulley at the top and you're good to go. Whole thing can be done for under a grand.

But I like the kids idea too.....

 

[bcp]

Some ideas:

barn elevator - Google Search

barn lift - Google Search

Bruce

 

[PILOON]

I beam, trolley and chain hoist.
U can also use an electric winch as some have lift ratings.

Have seen a few in sheds and in some service that stations use them to lift and store clients winter tires in my area.

 

[4570Man]

It would be hard to beat the price point of a jib crane. I've got one and haven't noticed any issues of swinging it loaded. Aside from that I like the forklift mast idea.

 

[90cummins]

In 2005 I built a 40x60 Garage and installed 2 lifts.
My heavy lift is a Mohawk 2 post rated at 10,000 lbs.
my second lift is a 4 post rated at 8,000lbs and is extra Long and high.
The 4 post is primarily used for storage of my truck in the winter and
Miscellaneous stuff during the summer.
It can be moved loaded with the optional casters enabling you to put it in a corner then raising to full height to free up floor space. I lay plywood down which allows me to use entire deck for storage.
In your case it could be used to raise your stuff up to the second story for unloading like an elevator.
90cummins

 

[pmsmechanic]

In 2005 I built a 40x60 Garage and installed 2 lifts.
My heavy lift is a Mohawk 2 post rated at 10,000 lbs.
my second lift is a 4 post rated at 8,000lbs and is extra Long and high.
The 4 post is primarily used for storage of my truck in the winter and
Miscellaneous stuff during the summer.
It can be moved loaded with the optional casters enabling you to put it in a corner then raising to full height to free up floor space. I lay plywood down which allows me to use entire deck for storage.
In your case it could be used to raise your stuff up to the second story for unloading like an elevator.
90cummins

This is similar to what my cousin did in his shop. The lift is beside the storage area. It's a two post lift and he just sets the heavier stuff on one arm and swings it over onto his storage area once the load is high enough. He built a small detachable platform for the arm.

Might be an excuse to buy a lift!

 

[Redlands Okie]

Platform Lifts - Wheelchair Lifts for Home | 11 Mobility

Bruno porch lifts make a deck easily accessible.


A bit pricy for my budget but they work great, variety of sizes and two stories is not a issue. Have done several jobs prepping homes for their use so a bit familiar with them.

 

[aczlan]

I have a friend who had a similar problem as the OP. He went out and found a small fork lift mast and bolted it to the floor and added a platform to the forks. Gives him the height and lift capability to put anything the floor of the upper structure will support up there.

This mast came off of a small fork truck that was no longer in service and had a bad engine. Wasn't worth fixing. He powered it with a small electric AC motor. Works like a charm. When not in use, he leaves the platform in the raised position so, it's out of the way.

Might be something for you to consider. He got the whole mast with forks and hydraulic cylinder for scrap pricing.

Rams

I have a small walk behind forklift that we use out in the shop which would be the cat's meow for doing that. If you watch Craigslist one with a 2000 pound capacity that will lift 12 feet in the air can be found for $1,000 to $2,000. The one I got needed new batteries which I got from a local golf cart place, they were used ones that had been turned in but were still decent. I paid $40 a piece for them.

Aaron Z

 

[tomplum]

I have a mezzanine in my shop too. I have a 10' lift Genie lift gotten off the Craigslit for 300$ They come up from time to time. This one is a hand crank model plus I took some extra 14 gauge sheet and made a lift box with sides for things that could slide away. Looks like this: https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...tpmuX5cnN0opVBqK4eCJhS1Ie3m_YN1BoC3moQAvD_BwE

 

[aczlan]

Here is one in the OPs area, its a push around, not a power drive like the one we have, but it would be a lot easier than cranking a hand crank one up: Electric Fork Lift Stacker plus 3 units HD Shelving - business/commercial - by owner - sale


Aaron Z