Wasn't sure the best forum for this but I find that most of my google searches wind up here so figured I'd see what you all thought.
Apologies for my first post being an essay.
I recently picked up two identical gantry cranes/a-frames. The only downside to them is that they are short (7.5 feet from ground to bottom of ibeam). My plan is to raise then a few feet so that a trolley and hoist won't be dragging the ground. One will be used to lift items on occasion but the other will be turned into a swing/playset. 10" I beam and 8x8 square tubing.
I have two options available to me using material I have. My inclination is to use ibeam for the lifting one and round for the playset but I am all for overbuilding.
Ibeam:
I have a few lengths of ibeam: 37', 29', 29'. 1/2" web thickness, 10" flange width, 14" height, and 7/8" flange thickness
Cut into 5' chunks, weld top and bottom plates on them and bolt the existing foot of the crane to the top of the ibeam. The bottom plate will be anchored into a concrete pad or footer.
Steel Round Core:
I have quite a few hollow round cores. They are 4'4" tall, 9" diameter, and 1/4" thick.
Would weld plates to top and bottom same as the ibeam
Photo 1: crane before I disassembled and moved it
Photo 2: I beams
Photo 3: cores
Photo 4: proposed plan. NOTE: the dotted lines going horizontal are 3 places for tension chains/cables holding the legs together. The top 2 are already available from the gantry as is, the third is proposed to replace the second.
General Questions:
1. Would either of them not work well for this?
2. Which is stronger/better for this application and by how much? Not asking for numbers here as I know the math gets complicated fast. Really looking for simple terms like 'a lot', 'not much', etc
3. For the tension points - would above or below the stilt connection be best for the bottom cable/chain?
Ibeam Questions:
1. Web perpendicular or parallel to the ibeam (figuring perpendicular)?
2. Beneficial to weld some pieces of strap across the flanges on both side? So not a full box-in but more like ladders on either side
Core Questions:
1. Would filling them with concrete make a worthwhile difference?
Let me know if I haven't explained any of this very well. Thanks
Apologies for my first post being an essay.
I recently picked up two identical gantry cranes/a-frames. The only downside to them is that they are short (7.5 feet from ground to bottom of ibeam). My plan is to raise then a few feet so that a trolley and hoist won't be dragging the ground. One will be used to lift items on occasion but the other will be turned into a swing/playset. 10" I beam and 8x8 square tubing.
I have two options available to me using material I have. My inclination is to use ibeam for the lifting one and round for the playset but I am all for overbuilding.
Ibeam:
I have a few lengths of ibeam: 37', 29', 29'. 1/2" web thickness, 10" flange width, 14" height, and 7/8" flange thickness
Cut into 5' chunks, weld top and bottom plates on them and bolt the existing foot of the crane to the top of the ibeam. The bottom plate will be anchored into a concrete pad or footer.
Steel Round Core:
I have quite a few hollow round cores. They are 4'4" tall, 9" diameter, and 1/4" thick.
Would weld plates to top and bottom same as the ibeam
Photo 1: crane before I disassembled and moved it
Photo 2: I beams
Photo 3: cores
Photo 4: proposed plan. NOTE: the dotted lines going horizontal are 3 places for tension chains/cables holding the legs together. The top 2 are already available from the gantry as is, the third is proposed to replace the second.
General Questions:
1. Would either of them not work well for this?
2. Which is stronger/better for this application and by how much? Not asking for numbers here as I know the math gets complicated fast. Really looking for simple terms like 'a lot', 'not much', etc
3. For the tension points - would above or below the stilt connection be best for the bottom cable/chain?
Ibeam Questions:
1. Web perpendicular or parallel to the ibeam (figuring perpendicular)?
2. Beneficial to weld some pieces of strap across the flanges on both side? So not a full box-in but more like ladders on either side
Core Questions:
1. Would filling them with concrete make a worthwhile difference?
Let me know if I haven't explained any of this very well. Thanks