Old Wood Barn Hoist?

Howdy all,

I've got an old barn built in the 30's with a newer loft 10' up. Center bay of barn is 14'6" inside, 15'6" on the outside. I'd like to add a beam, either make one out of dimensional lumber or steel that would hold a HF winch in the middle and lift 500-750 lbs. Tons of storage space up there, already put in a attic stairway in, but it's too narrow to haul oversized things up, plus I'm old and fat.Also planning on welding up a platform to lift up bulky items, then go up the stairs and unload it. I'll store the platform in the up position so it's not in my road. Anybody done this? Ideas? Opinions? I don't know how to size the beam which I'll make pockets for in between the studs. Also, how should I attach the hoist to a beam? Mounting pockets are only 2"x3", thinking a 4' section if 1-1/2" pipe.........And no, I'm not taking the grandkids for an elevator ride!
 

don't know how to imbed pics in original post.....
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Do you have a loader or bobcat? Friends had somewhat the same situation with a two story house and she loved old heavy antiques my suggestion was put a deck in on the 2nd story that way they lifted things up with the bobcat and place them on the deck and wheel it to where ever they want. Side benefit I don't get asked to help move things upstairs.
 
Skid Steer is at the other place, only comes here for moving snow berms back. Also want to use the hoist to lift front of mower for cleaning, Atv's for service, loading things in the truck etc.
 
forklift would be my first choice. Bobcat with forks second choice if you can reach desired height. Beyond that would take a little engineering. A couple of 2 x 12's would surely hold the load.
As usual the advice is worth what you pay for it!!!
 
If I'm understanding what you want to do, I would go with an I beam. Make it just long enough to lift straight up and roll the hoist over the loft. Support it well with doubled 2x12 under each end.

If you make a platform, will there be enough room to have V chains on each end and keep it stable?

I would definitely stay away from using plumbing type pipe for support. It is intended to hold internal pressure, not structural loads! If you do go with round tubing, be sure it is structural welded seam tubing or DOM tubing.
I Beam and Trolley
 
Just a thought do you have a hay carrier on the rafters? That era barn might and would hold a lot of weight plus some had electric motor and hoist tied together.
 
is the span of the pipe 4 ft? and you want to lift 750 Lb? I'll check if the 1 1/2 pipe will be sufficient.
 
OOPS!
Forgot to mention I want to go side to side, so beam would be about 15' long and in pockets. Parrellel with front of loft, about 2' out so 4x6 platform would be just about flush with front of loft. Add chains to secure it to loft in flush position so it doesn't swing out.10' down is a lot farther than 10' up.....
 
Another odd thought Amish neighbor got a knuckle boom off a truck . He's got it set in concrete and with the ability to turn 360 degrees he can reach out pick something off the truck turn it around and put it anywhere in the shop. It was surprisingly not very costly find a junk boom truck and put a motor on that and good to go.
 
1 1/2 in pipe no good---need 2 in for a 4 ft span---of greater concern is the 15 ft span of the beam
 
I think that you are undersizing the hoist. It is highly likely that you or someone else will guess the weight of an object and that hoist will drop the load. Build a support system that is oversized as well. In that situation, now is not the time to think cheap.
 
I have that hoist. I use it and a leveler to harness the team by myself. Drafts are too big to harness by myself. I love that winch. Not loud, powerful, etc. I have the line doubled like it shows. I can't remember the load rating but I have mine on a welded arm I built that swings out in the drive alley of the horse barn. It's out of the way for hay wagons otherwise.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys!

What I'm trying to figure out is what size 16' beam I would have to buy/make to support 750+ lbs at the center, and the best way to attach a 1500lb winch? I guess if its a wood or steel beam I could just attach the winch with a chain. Winch doesn't have to move side to side....
 
I'd really prefer making a lumber beam or a wood I-beam, I gotta lift the bugger up 15'. Getting up to the peak is out of the question.....
 
Your I beam reminded me of working in a cheese factory and we had a hoist mounted on a carriage that fitted on an I beam. Type into Google carriage that fits on an I beam .
 

Of the many different types of tracks in barns for putting up loose hay. One was 2 2x4's, fastened together laying flat.

Dusty
 
using a 16 ft span, 750 lb load plus 50% more for impact I get for timber 3-2x8 or 2-2x10
for steel a W6x8.5,W4x13, or S5x10----all beams need to be braced laterally at the top
 
forgot to explain the S5X10-in the late 70's the term I beam was discontinued as a shape and they were named S shapes--and I haven't the slightest idea why!!
 

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