Tank Lifter

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As a former paramedic, and husband of a paramedic/instructor, we always have cool magazines laying around.  This afternoon while in the library (reading on the toilet), I ran across this ad for a tank lifter.  It's pretty cool and only around $2500, but I was thinking that with some square tube, roller bearings, a few pulleys, and a hand winch from a boat trailer, something similar could be built for probably around $200. http://www.itecmfg.com/tankboss.html
Reply:Wow what will they come up with next  I have the guys at air gas load em But ya that's a good plan if it's a taller truck You'll have to alter it and may become unstable. I put a homemade crane with a cheap 2000# winch and 3 ton jack on the truck works great for everything.But as that would be portable it's a good idea for just cylinders or such.You could also make a portable crane and it would lift more and higher if designed rightand if this is going to be in a working type setting where employees will use it, Purchase the unitbecause the liability would put a person in the soup line if something went wrong with your design and maybe even at home it could depending who was around when it broke,fell or whatever, I  Knew a guy that had made a engine hoist and had a weld break while his kid was aroun, and the kid was injured the first thing they asked was how and he shouldn't of been around there at all , Especially with that deathtrap you built (not being certified stamped print he built off a napkin instead) The cops made it before the paramedics and about had him in cuffs before they loaded the kid in the ambluance,endangerment,negelect,many other charges .THANK GOD THE KID LIVED but lesson learned the hard way that was his kid man....I'd say depending on where your using it and who's around would really determine it ....If you can get a print  to build off of that would be great, or if you have credentials and mega liability.and look at them guys moving that tank there is no cap on it see the regulator WOW somebody should squeeze in there and cap that first geez that's not safe no matter how you move it    little long winded there but  just my 2 centsLincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:Yeah, speaking of that, I see CITY trucks rolling around with regulators on the tanks.  I thought that was illegal?
Reply:Yup it is unless they have a slotted type or hinged cap for the protection of the valve there is special caps so you don't gotta loose gas between jobs breaking them down for every job while job hopping, and they can't be  too bright of licensed welders in business or they would think about the transporting laws or ask...maybe because it's on the city for lac of training the workers and  they may have immunity with the local PD. but not the statemaybe in a closed cabinet for protection and being fastened down is good enough for theambulance but they should not unhook the chain let alone move the tank till the CAP is on the valve PERIOD that was a stupid advertisement look how stupid we are being more dangerous than rolling the tank to the truck you could carry it and drop it ten times with the cap on and be in better shape than them with their exposed valve and safety moving/lifting device demonstration or not it's not good Lincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:I think it is a little over priced you could probly make one with electirc for under $300.Is there and problem with buying a cap and welding a section of chain on it so you can move the tank with an engine hoist?
Reply:Lifting by the cap - The fit between cap threads and cylinder threads is not consistent, best to avoid lifting by the threaded cap.I would think that  paramedics, who must occasionally lift patients, would understand the mechanics of safe lifting and should be able to safely swap a cylinder out once in a while. But I suppose if the 90 lb nurse has to change one out herself...Cap-less photo - I'm sure it was posed, the caption said it was a  picture submitted for a photo contest.Of all the pictures I took, I missed the one that could be entered in the next photo contest - it was the old boy who could carry two 250's! He probably could have spared himself a lot of trouble by hanging out with paramedics... I doubt if he could have even raised a common fist-fight at their bar; let alone his favorite - three on one! Good LuckLast edited by denrep; 04-18-2009 at 09:55 AM.