Redneck engineering.....

[jaluhn83]

My solution to not having a cherry picker or a nice indoor shop with a hoist......

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Actually works very well, especially now that I have a real winch. I've been using a come-a-long for the hoist line which was a huge pain and quite dangerous. Used it to remove and install the motor in the backhoe. (putting it back in in these pics) This motor is an easy 500# and it handled it easily. I've used the same setup to pull a 6.9 which is probably pushing it a bit. Also used the same basic setup off the back of my flatbed trailer to lift a 1500# welder.

 

[jaluhn83]

Not sure why the one picture is sideways.... it's the right way up before I uploaded it....

 

[NO_SPRK]

Hey there's always someone doing it worse then you so don't worry! Is that a 4bt?

 

[icanfixall]

Great thinking of how to do a job without the nice tools.. I tip my hat to you...

 

[jaluhn83]

Nope, it's a Ford 175 3 cyl diesel tractor motor. Bloody heavy thing! The block, crank and head weight pretty much what their IDI counterparts do. I'm betting the whole engine is close to 700#....

Thanks. This is one of those ideas that I've been using for years and gradually improving. The a-frame legs are standard 12' 4x4s I had, reinforced with some 2x4 just for good measure. I made up some steel plates for the upper section for reinforcement and to weld up loops to hook the pulley and cables too. The earlier versions just used a chain wrapped around the top there. The base is some built up scrap steel. It hook into the hitch receiver and then has legs on each side that set onto of the bumper for stability. That way the actual load get transferred directly to the frame and there's no permanent modifications required. The top line goes into the gooseneck hitch again so load goes to a hard point and no modifications are required.

It's a good cheap easy way to get things done within reasonable limitations. With the setup I have I'd say about 1000# is a good working load limit. Aside from the winch it'd probably cost about $50 to build something similar depending on how much gear you already had lying around. The winch makes things *so* much better though. Using this rig is much easier I think than a cherry picker, and I'm much more confident in it. Cherry pickers always scare the snot out of me. Not only are they mostly made in china but the wheelbase is so narrow when you've got a heavy motor lifted up high.

For anyone that uses this idea, please be smart and be safe. There's many many ways that this setup could break at the most inconvenient time. I trust my design and work, but still am very cautious lifting stuff with it.

 

[riotwarrior]

Sweet Jehoshaphat....a man after me own heart....

Freakin love it...that's awesome! Looks like something I'd conjure up from the depths of desperation and need! Having said that...more pics please!

Al

 

[icanfixall]

Years ago I saw how a member pulled hie engine. It was hanging form a chain strung between two big trees. Lifted the engine out of the truck and rolled the truck back from it...

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Years ago I saw how a member pulled hie engine. It was hanging form a chain strung between two big trees. Lifted the engine out of the truck and rolled the truck back from it...

In Kentucky, there are more engines pulled under tree-limbs than any other way.

A good stout just-right tree-limb is often the selling point of a piece of property.

It is no rare sight for a loop of chain to be imbedded within several years growth.

 

[Fordsandguns]

In Kentucky, there are more engines pulled under tree-limbs than any other way.

A good stout just-right tree-limb is often the selling point of a piece of property.

It is no rare sight for a loop of chain to be imbedded within several years growth.

I've seen that here in tx more than once.

 

[bbjordan]

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. -Latin "I will either find a way or make one" or "Where there's a will, there's a way"

Well done sir! Although I don't know if I'd trust those box anchors. I've had more than one pull out!

 

[jaluhn83]

What do you mean 'box anchors'? Never heard that term before.

I took some more pictures this morning, I'll post them up when I get a chance to fight with the computer again.

 

[bbjordan]

These things:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200511693_200511693

At first glance I thought you were using these anchors to support the gin poles. After looking more closely at the pictures, I see you are not using them. Its all good. Carry on.

 

[diezelcrazee]

I like redneck engineering, wonder why.....

Would caution you about one thing. I once was using a very similar setup and had a come-a-long for the gin pole headache line like you have. Had a 350 Chevy motor swinging on the poles and the come-a-long broke!! Took the windshield out of the truck I was installing the engine in. Could a been a lot worse, it coulda been my head.....

 

[jaluhn83]

Nope, it's connected to a chain around a 3/4 bolt that drops through the gn hitch.

I have certainly had the thought about things breaking. That's one of the reasons I got a winch for to hoist line finally. I've had them slip a few times before but never actually broken one. I *think* most of the problems are from overloading or not making sure the paws are completely engaged both of which the operator can control.

That being said, this is very much a field expedient rig an not one I trust with anything too important. But sometimes you've got to use what you've got.....