Truck mounted cranes

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Been shopping around for a light duty hoist to mount on the back of my flatbed work truck.  Just something to pick up and load stuff into the bed, and occasionally do some light duty lifting on the job site.  There have been occasions where I wanted to shift/support/roll over the item I've been working on, and it's been too heavy for me to move alone and un-aided.Here's the kind of thing I'm scoping out now.  I've looked at the following 1000 lb capacity cranes, and my budget is limited.  Anybody used these before?  Anybody have any low cost(<$300) better alternatives?http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg...ryString=4ZB19And 'they' are selling the same thing on ebay for about $200 inc. shipping:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:ITI've looked at Autocrane's Econo Ton II/IIR, and if I could find one used I'd love to have the electric winch.  But I think I'd also have to install some kind of jack leg underneath it to support the kind of loads this thing can lift.Thoughts?  Suggestions?Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:for the record, I know I could build this type of crane myself...but I don't have the time right now, and I'm not sure I can buy the materials for less than or equal to the $200 price(inc shipping) these guys are selling at.It occurs to me that I might be better off buying their lift and making 'improvements' when and where I see the need...Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:That long jack runs $45 to $55..  I don't know how they can do it for $200.
Reply:A DAB, dont know if you want to go this "cheap", but have you looked at this?  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555  Dont know if it would fit what you are looking for or not.A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:I think one of those rotating hydraulic hoists with a manual or electric cable winch on the end of it would be a handy thing to have.  If it's going on a pickup bed, yeah, you'll definately want to make a frame to support it under the bed.  Pickup beds are way too thin metal these days to mount anything subtantial to.   If  you have a stout class 5 (greater than 1000 lb dead tongue weight rating) reciever hitch on your truck, you could make the crane a removeable hitch-mount instead of bed-mount and not take up any extra bed space and only carry it when needed to save weight on the truck.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by smawgmawA DAB, dont know if you want to go this "cheap", but have you looked at this?  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555  Dont know if it would fit what you are looking for or not.
Reply:DR,I like the hitch mount idea, but my 2" receiver is a good 24" lower than the deck.  This would really cut into the vertical lifting capability when it comes to loading something onto the truck bed.  I'm also little nervous about the torsional forces when the crane is swinging through 90° relative to the bed.  If I knew I was only going to lift a couple hundred pounds, and could keep the load close to the mounting point, i would definitely consider this.  Might fab up a hitch mount for my regular pickup, since the bed is only a little higher than than the receiver.SMAWGMAW, I looked at the harbor frieght model, but didn't care for the short throw jack.  The other model has a lot more vertical range of motion.Sandy, I was thinking the same thing.  The ebay model is $120, plus $88 frieght.  I don't think I can buy the raw materials for that much money.  The winch cable, and jack alone would eat up most of that money.  Even if the thing needs some mods, it might be worthwhile.  Still, I have a little more faith in grainger, and their ability to actually deliver somthing to me....decisions decisions....Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Something like that mounted to a reciever hitch would be cool.
Reply:Maybe add a reciever tube to the hitch side plate?   The side plates are pretty strong and the cross tube ties them together so really both side plates are sharing some of the forces.  You could add a couple gussets from the tube to the upper lip of the side plate to strengthen it, or even a second side plate from the other side of the tube up to the side of the frame channel.  That would take care of all of it.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-18-2009 at 06:44 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doI like the hitch mount idea, but my 2" receiver is a good 24" lower than the deck.  This would really cut into the vertical lifting capability when it comes to loading something onto the truck bed.  I'm also little nervous about the torsional forces when the crane is swinging through 90° relative to the bed.  If I knew I was only going to lift a couple hundred pounds, and could keep the load close to the mounting point, i would definitely consider this.  Might fab up a hitch mount for my regular pickup, since the bed is only a little higher than than the receiver.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Maybe add a reciever tube to the hitch side plate?   The side plates are pretty strong and the cross tube ties them together so really both side plates are sharing some of the forces.  You could add a couple gussets from the tube to the upper lip of the side plate to strengthen it, or even a second side plate from the other side of the tube up to the side of the frame channel.  That would take care of all of it.
Reply:I just modified one like the ebay one a couple weeks back.  I just used it yesterday and returned it to it's owner last night.  I made it reciever mount.  I could wander down the street and take pics sometime if anybody is interested.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmI just modified one like the ebay one a couple weeks back.  I just used it yesterday and returned it to it's owner last night.  I made it reciever mount.  I could wander down the street and take pics sometime if anybody is interested.
Reply:The center reciever mount is in a bad spot to do any loading, but I made a reciever mount for mine anyway. I have yet to use it, though I have used the corner bumper position and I now have a floor stand, all for the same little crane, like the HF model. Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:I ran across this little number on the GL listing a while back!  Low miles! Hardly been shot at! Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:We have an Auto Crane 3203 mounted to one of our service trucks. Great quality, except occasionally the directional valves stick for the hydraulic system. Oh, and you have to keep the truck running while using it because it will kill the batterie(s) in minutes.
Reply:This is the base I modified.  The square plate had all kinds of **** welded to it and was heavy, so I cut it off and saved the tube.  Welded on a 2" square tube to the side, added gussets, and called it good.  I used it the other day to pick up a fuel tank that was about half full.  The cylinder was bleeding off, but the mount held up fine.  Estimated weight of the tank was about 800 lbs or so. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Thanks Boostinjdm!A few of my toys !LinuxMintManjaroMiller Roughneck 2E Lincoln WeldPak 100HTP MTS 160 Chicago Electric 80amp Inverter   Victor O/A
Reply:Thanks for the pic!  That looks like a good design!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Good info, thanks for posting. I also want a pickup truck bed mounted crane for occasional lifting of up to 450 pounds (home use, not professional).  My truck is a Toyota Tacoma, 2003 4x4.  I found a used Auto Crane Econo Ton  on Craigslist for around $500 – a steal, despite it needing all the wiring replaced on the electric winch.  After seeing how big this was up close, I had to pass on it.  At over 300 pounds, as well; it was just too much for the small truck.   I hated to do it, but bought one of these from HF:  http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555It won’t look like this when I am through – going to shorten the mast so the boom/ram just clears the side of the truck, replace the winch with a better quality unit, and paint it something other than Harbor Freight orange.  The truck bed is single sheet metal with the familiar stamped flat corrugations – absolutely no support for a crane base.  I’m sandwiching it with 8.5”x13” 3/8” plate top and bottom – and since the corrugations are 3/8” deep and @ 2” wide, I am filling them with 1.5” 3/8” bar running the length of the plate, also top and bottom (bars to be welded to the plate).  3/8” steel will be flat against corresponding 3/8” steel on the other side of the thin truck bed sheet metal.  I’ll through bolt the perimeter of this 9/8” (3/8” x 3) steel “sandwich” with grade 8 hardware Ok, that’s just the mounting plate for the crane.  The hard part will be to fabricate a tie in of the plate underneath the bed to the truck frame.  Probably going take it to the receiver hitch mount side plate that bolts to the frame rails.  Finally, I will add two outriggers with trailer stabilizers to prevent tipping.  So far, I have the crane, stabilizers, the steel, a Miller 211 and 375 X-Treme, and a plan.  I will post photos when I am done.Miller 211 MIGMiller 375 Extreme Plasma CutterMiller Maxstar 150 STL TIGOxy-Acetylene torch
Reply:northern tools has one for $199.99 and they have gift cards with orders this weekpn# 141228 Attached Images
Reply:Here's the one I want.I wont tell you where it is or how much its going for, 'cuz I want to get it one day soon.I will tell you it's got a 400 callerpitter, a 10 speed eaton (I think its 15 speed if you count LL range)Double frameJLG 1550bt 15 ton w/ 2 pc jib. Yup, I have crane-us envy. I want this truck.Sorry 'bout the thread theft, I'll shut up now.Brian LeonardAppalachian Ironworks L.L.C.434 Long Branch Rd, Marshall, NC 28753828 649 9966828 702 [email protected]
Reply:No worries Brian.  If I had the work, and I thought I could afford the diesel, I'd want that truck too.  Ended up going with the HF P.O.S.   It will get some mods, like a new winch when I have the $$$.  IN the meantime, it's doing OK mounted on the driver's side rear corner of my flatbed.  I'll boost most anything I need onto the truck.  A few weeks ago I broke it in by picking up the the front half of a steel trash compactor container.  It was about 3'x6'x4' and I'd guess it weighed about 500 lbs empty.  I used a come-along to haul it the rest of the way up onto the bed.Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:One of the handiest tools i own, bought it for a steal and don't know what the hell i did without it.   12.5 ton national 556 A.  its mounted on a turd of a chassis but its never let me down.   Just a warning owning a crane isn't what its cracked up to be, buying it was the cheep part.  getting NCCCO certified, keeping the truck in current inspections, licence fees, and the INSURANCE don't get me started on the insurance!Oh and unfortunately the lowbed had to find a different home.  I do miss it most days.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Here's mine, this one cost me $300 about 10- years ago.  I now have quite a handy multipurpose truck.. 5000 lb rating and it rotates 360 degrees, 15' boom. . Attached ImagesThis one give a better picture of what I needed to do.  Sensor went bad. Attached Images
Reply:This is too expensive as far as the original topic goes......but its a great idea and if money was no object, this would be cool! Totally out of the way (inside bumper) when not needed. Attached Images
Reply:In post #20 I mentioned I would make a crane.  Here it is.  Top half is stock HF.  I sawed off the base, and made a cantilever offset to move the crane as far back and right of the bed as possible.  The base is 13"x8.5" 3/8, top and underneath, interleaved with 3/8" bar sandwiching the bed corrugation, again top and bottom, so its 9/8" thick.  the bottom plate is welded to the frame rail with two parallel lengths of channel.  The cantilever mast is 4" square steel tubing, 1/4".  I welded a 4x6x1/2" plate on top, with a 1/2" gusset (not visible in these shots).  It removes by taking out the 8 1/2" bolts.  Cutoff wheel made the rectangular hole in the bed liner.  Next is to add stabilizing legs that fold away. Attached ImagesLast edited by Combat Jump; 12-11-2009 at 06:45 PM.Miller 211 MIGMiller 375 Extreme Plasma CutterMiller Maxstar 150 STL TIGOxy-Acetylene torch
Reply:Is that an old ventura-venco 5000 lb crane you strapped the ladder to?  Good cranes, I have picked 6k with mine, fully extended and layed out about a 30 degree angle... Man did things squeak and squawk and creak...  Have pulled engines that were right at 5k bare, with clutches and whatnot dressed with ease.  Parts are a bit pricey, but graingers sells the solenoids cheap, with a warranty..sorry to hijack..
Reply:Originally Posted by TimmerThis is too expensive as far as the original topic goes......but its a great idea and if money was no object, this would be cool! Totally out of the way (inside bumper) when not needed.