Crane

[Lakeman]

I am searching for ideas to build a movable crane for the purpose of installing and removing my (and some others) docks in the lake, with minimum help.

[Jon]

Hi Lakeman - welcome to HomemadeTools.net

Interesting project, I'm going to move this one into our Tools in Progress subforum so you can get some ideas.

How do you want the crane to move? Are you going to tow it with a truck? What kind of terrain will it go over? Over what distance do you need to pull the docks?

[Toolmaker51]

I'd begin with Merchant Marine style cargo winches for simplicity of build. It's not unlike the early Greek 3 pulley design, certainly they only had tree trunks for booms. Power could be as simple as boat winches, depending on weight involved. As there is no real horizontal member, the loads are more controllable than constructing a lattice or taper.