overhead bridge crane

[charles scozzari]

Every shop needs lifting devices I have a few jib cranes a couple chain hoists hanging from the ceiling, A large unwieldly forklift that is so big I can't turn it around inside the shop, But, what I really needed is an overhead bridge crane to service one of my bays. The way I built the trusses I can add more of them later.
Here is how I came up with a way to install one.
Many people are familiar with the way some roller-coaster tracks are mad out of pipe All they need is to support the rails more closely than a beam rail style the wheels are profiled to fit the OD of the pipe. My trusses as strong enough to serve as the supports so instead of needing beams for the crane to hang from or ride on top of square rails I used 2 7/8" oilfield pipes as the rails.

The pipe rails are welded to the top of the bottom truss member every 2 feet Via 1/2By 3 flat bar with gusset support on the pipe to prevent rollover stresses

The beginning of the rollers is a length of 3 1/2" round bar

A 2" hole was bored through it

Then flanges welded to it to allow for the profile machining of the roller

Machining the bearing locations for 6306 bearings 30 Bore x72 OD x19 mm wide

Machining the profile

I had a pair of cross rails from an old Globe 8000lb 4 post lift that I used for the end trucks and bracing of the bridge

View of 1 end truck assembly using a length of pipe for aligning

View of the end of the end truck with spindle welded in place note the compressed state of the end of the cross rail beam I used this proved to be beneficial in my design.

Aligning the spindles for welding

One end is bolted to the top of the bridge while the other end truck is welded this was done so the bridge could be installed. Note how the compressed beam pieces cut off from the ends of the cross rails worked out for bracing


Hanging the bridge



Only thing left is to come up with a hoist for it then testing.
Truss calculations show the trusses can support a 10k load at the center of the 68ft span, the 14 ft bridge is good for 3 tons center of span but I am only looing to install a 1-ton hoist,

Love what you've made. Will be well worth the effort. I noticed your band saw, did you make it.?