engine hoist

[1money]

I'm building a engine hoist in my garage using 2x4x1/4" steel tubing. How long of a span can i go that will support 500lbs center load?

[Frank S]

A lot depends on how the tubing is going to be fixed at the ends and will it have to be moved around while supporting the load
But 10 ft would be about the limit assuming it was not to be moved while loaded and it was fixed so that no possibility of roll over or twisting could happen

[JoBotha]

I'm building a engine hoist in my garage using 2x4x1/4" steel tubing. How long of a span can i go that will support 500lbs center load?

Hi 1money. Everything will depend on your design. Just some perspective: the formula for bending force is (force (mass in kg multiply by gravitational acceleration 9.81) multiply by distance (meters). That means that 500 lb mass is 1500 at the end of a 10 ft boom

[nixrox]

Why would you want to be any more than the standard 6 feet of almost any engine hoist I have ever used? I have even replaced a Chevy 454 big block in a truck with mine.

[Armilite]

1 Ton Engine Hoist $729 from harbor freight. You can't build it for that.
1 ton Capacity Telescoping Gantry Crane

[nixrox]

I just bought my telescoping gantry crane off Kijiji for $75.00. I almost felt guilty (almost).

[1money]

I am permanently installing 2 pieces of tubing on the ceiling with a traveling one between. Thank you for the replies.

[BigPete]

I am permanently installing 2 pieces of tubing on the ceiling with a traveling one between. Thank you for the replies.

Dear 1money, [Noting that I am a practical person, not offering professional advice!] my initial thoughts are that you should do a little more homework. Firstly, I suggest that 500lbs is too small a load for this project. One can foresee that much greater loads might occur, not just by the weight of an engine but also e.g. when an engine gets wedged while lifting, and suddenly you are trying to lift the whole front of car.
Secondly, for clarity, it is evident that you are planning a gantry as distinct from an engine hoist.
Thirdly, I would be much more comfortable using .250 wall thickness tube, than .120 wall thickness, because the second-greatest challenge is failure by twisting. Any hoist will encounter sideways forces, and failure by twisting is a real possibility.
If each end of the beam will simply sit on a buttress [as distinct from being embedded and cantilevered] I'd suggest a maximum of 10 foot span.
Enjoy the project!
Cheers,
BigPete

[nortin]

I am permanently installing 2 pieces of tubing on the ceiling with a traveling one between. Thank you for the replies.

I would find it hard to say without a simple sketch of what you want.Then there is a question of how far apart are the two tubes you intend to permanently attach to the ceiling? How far apart do you see as your max distance and how close together do you see as your min distance.What size and wall thickness are your tubes(pipe?) and how will they be secured to the ceiling? and at what spacing along the length of tubing will your attachments to the ceiling be? AND!!! What IS the ceiling? rafters?steel? cement? I can only assume that the data you want is for the deflection of the 2X4X(?wall thickness) rectangle steel tubing with your 500 LBS centered.All I can suggest is that there is a lot of data specific to materials such as pipe ,tube,rectangular steel tubing etc,available searchable online on Google etc.with tables for various material specifications In my garage I keep it cheap and simple! My rafters are 2X8s on 16" centers with a 12 foot span to the garage center beam and there is an attic floor above. I laid 10' of 1 1/2 sch.40 pipe on that attic floor,,cut a round hole about 3-4 inches through the floor and hung a loop of chain on the pipe.Below I hang a simple chain block on the chain. Voila! simple fast and STRONG because any weight gets distributed over several rafters.Is it strong? Yes ! have used it for many engine (with trans)installs and removals. Hope you can find some assistance in all this and good luck,stay safe.hope we see your finished project.

[Jep]

I'm building a engine hoist in my garage using 2x4x1/4" steel tubing. How long of a span can i go that will support 500lbs center load?

My advice is install an air over hydraulic 8 ton ram. Not over a 6 foot reach , adjustable boom length, adjustable front and back legs . Never have the boom extended past the length of the legs. Solid steel wheels swivel front and rear.