Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I have this one and it has been great. I haven't tried it for a full
half ton yet, though. I cut a hole in the bed and welded angle iron to
a bracket on the frame for strength.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1647

If I had it todo over, I'd go with the 37555.

--
We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small
worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies.
-- Etty Hillesum

On 2007-10-30, Larry Jaques novalidaddress@di wrote:
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I have this one and it has been great. I haven't tried it for a full
half ton yet, though. I cut a hole in the bed and welded angle iron to
a bracket on the frame for strength.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1647

If I had it todo over, I'd go with the 37555.


Larry, thanks. Just curious how the bed would hold up to this crane.

i

On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:58:36 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

On 2007-10-30, Larry Jaques novalidaddress@di wrote:
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I have this one and it has been great. I haven't tried it for a full
half ton yet, though. I cut a hole in the bed and welded angle iron to
a bracket on the frame for strength.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1647

If I had it todo over, I'd go with the 37555.


Larry, thanks. Just curious how the bed would hold up to this crane.

I didn't measure it but the hole I cut in my '90 F-150 bed felt like
16 ga to me, and it was tough to cut with my impact chisel until I let
the compressor top off. Chisels like 120psi better than 80 for some
strange reason.

Given my druthers, I'd cut a clearance hole in the bed, lift the bed,
weld a section of 2 x 6 (8?) x 1/4" U-channel across the rails, and
bolt the crane upright to it. Then I'd boot the opening. YMMV

My new Tundra will have a composite bed. That ought to be interesting
to work with.

--
We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small
worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies.
-- Etty Hillesum

On Oct 29, 10:02 pm, Larry Jaques
wrote:
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I have this one and it has been great.
.....http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?
Itemnumber=1647

I bought the smaller one from Homier and made a removeable 4" pipe
extension and winch mount plus end pulley like the tall one for
appliances. Since you stand on the ground to operate the short one and
in the bed for the taller one, the short one is easier to operate on
sloping ground where the load wants to swing and the taller one is
better for stuffing in several pieces of heavy equipment, like moving
a friend's machine shop. The short one is fine for single items.

It mounts on steel cross bars held by the bed bolts so I didn't have
to modify the truck at all. Both the mounting bars and the suspension
of my Ranger were maxed out lifting a 700 Lb oak log behind the truck,
although they took it better within the bed.

It's a handy thing to have when welding up something heavy or to lift
a lawnmower or snow thrower up onto the tailgate to work on them.

Jim Wilkins

On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:55:05 -0700, with neither quill nor qualm, Jim
Wilkins quickly quoth:

On Oct 29, 10:02 pm, Larry Jaques
wrote:
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, with neither quill nor qualm,
Ignoramus10340 quickly quoth:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I have this one and it has been great.
....http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?
Itemnumber=1647

I bought the smaller one from Homier and made a removeable 4" pipe
extension and winch mount plus end pulley like the tall one for
appliances. Since you stand on the ground to operate the short one and
in the bed for the taller one, the short one is easier to operate on
sloping ground where the load wants to swing and the taller one is
better for stuffing in several pieces of heavy equipment, like moving
a friend's machine shop. The short one is fine for single items.

It mounts on steel cross bars held by the bed bolts so I didn't have
to modify the truck at all. Both the mounting bars and the suspension
of my Ranger were maxed out lifting a 700 Lb oak log behind the truck,
although they took it better within the bed.

It's a handy thing to have when welding up something heavy or to lift
a lawnmower or snow thrower up onto the tailgate to work on them.

I used mine like a tow truck and lift for my neighbor's Deere riding
lawnmower. His front end lost a balljoint so I roped the steering
column and foot pedals, hauled it in, and kept it on the "hook" to
replace the joints. Very handy. One drawback, I mounted it on the
right rear of the truck. That puts the pump bar close to the bedside
and isn't optimal. Luckily, until there is weight on it, the pump will
swivel around.

The winch/pulley combo is an addition I'm considering if I keep the
crane when I get the new truck.

--
We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small
worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies.
-- Etty Hillesum

"Ignoramus10340" wrote in message
...
Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

No, yes, and yes.

First of all, I have not used the crane. Yet, by optical examination, it
seems borderline.

I was Offshore Petroleum Institute certified rigger, and ran a 30 ton crane
on an offshore drilling platform for more than two years, so I have a LITTLE
bit of experience.

The weak points a

Steel: HF and the Chicoms are advancing in their metallurgy, and the
hardness of their steel is improving. Things that would wear out a few
years ago are lasting longer now. It all depends on the application. Hard
use will bring out the weak points FAST.

Examine the working loads. Just because the unit is rated at 1,000#, it
will last far longer if you only use it to lift 250 or 500, or even 750
occasionally than 1,000 24/7.

Watch the connections. The terminal sockets, the cable ends that have the
sockets either pressed on there, or (correctly) have them poured with molten
metal are subject to coming off. The sheaves (rollers) are subject to wear
and failure. Easily replaced, but catastrophic if not noticed in time
before failure mode. Replace roller pins with #8 grade bolts.

They're like come-a-longs. Good ones, you just go out and use. Cheap ones,
you have to watch and repair as you go along.

This unit may do well and serve you a long time. But keep an eye on it, and
service whenever and wherever you notice wear.

One last thing.

Lots of people over rate their pickups. The basal mounting and the mounting
to the side wall are critical. Leverage is everything, and even the
absolute spendiest best davit (which is what this is essentially , a davit,
not the best and spendiest) will pull out with the right leverage in a
millisecond while you are watching it do so. So, be aware of your loads,
your angles, and such. BTW, the way this is pictured with the base
attached, and not the mast to the sidewall of the truck is an accident
waiting to happen, and I don't think would lift my mother-in-law safely.
Some lateral bracing would be appropriate, inexpensive, and entirely
correct.

Again, I'm no expert. I've just seen a lot of stuff work and a lot of stuff
fail. These are the strong points I see and the weak ones, too. Mainly
realize that this is no stiff leg or A frame that will lift a lot of weight.
And even one of those has to be level or it gets hairy.

Steve

I agree with pretty much everything SteveB says but don't attach it to
the side of a common pickup truck at the back - I know from experience
that a side force here will quickly impare the usefullness of the tail
gate. Been there done that - I didn't attach it but I did have it
lean over against it. It was a lot harder it seems to get the side
back to where the gate would latch than it seemed to be to push it
out.

It is cheap steel - the pins wear and the winch is made from butter
but for the price? There are a lot better ones out there I know. Be
careful of the winch - when they strip they can be interesting - mine
jammed fortunately but I was only at 1/2 load I think.

rem
On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:24:17 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:


"Ignoramus10340" wrote in message
m...
Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

No, yes, and yes.

First of all, I have not used the crane. Yet, by optical examination, it
seems borderline.

I was Offshore Petroleum Institute certified rigger, and ran a 30 ton crane
on an offshore drilling platform for more than two years, so I have a LITTLE
bit of experience.

The weak points a

Steel: HF and the Chicoms are advancing in their metallurgy, and the
hardness of their steel is improving. Things that would wear out a few
years ago are lasting longer now. It all depends on the application. Hard
use will bring out the weak points FAST.

Examine the working loads. Just because the unit is rated at 1,000#, it
will last far longer if you only use it to lift 250 or 500, or even 750
occasionally than 1,000 24/7.

Watch the connections. The terminal sockets, the cable ends that have the
sockets either pressed on there, or (correctly) have them poured with molten
metal are subject to coming off. The sheaves (rollers) are subject to wear
and failure. Easily replaced, but catastrophic if not noticed in time
before failure mode. Replace roller pins with #8 grade bolts.

They're like come-a-longs. Good ones, you just go out and use. Cheap ones,
you have to watch and repair as you go along.

This unit may do well and serve you a long time. But keep an eye on it, and
service whenever and wherever you notice wear.

One last thing.

Lots of people over rate their pickups. The basal mounting and the mounting
to the side wall are critical. Leverage is everything, and even the
absolute spendiest best davit (which is what this is essentially , a davit,
not the best and spendiest) will pull out with the right leverage in a
millisecond while you are watching it do so. So, be aware of your loads,
your angles, and such. BTW, the way this is pictured with the base
attached, and not the mast to the sidewall of the truck is an accident
waiting to happen, and I don't think would lift my mother-in-law safely.
Some lateral bracing would be appropriate, inexpensive, and entirely
correct.

Again, I'm no expert. I've just seen a lot of stuff work and a lot of stuff
fail. These are the strong points I see and the weak ones, too. Mainly
realize that this is no stiff leg or A frame that will lift a lot of weight.
And even one of those has to be level or it gets hairy.

Steve

On 2007-10-30, SteveB wrote:

"Ignoramus10340" wrote in message
...
Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

No, yes, and yes.

First of all, I have not used the crane. Yet, by optical examination, it
seems borderline.

I was Offshore Petroleum Institute certified rigger, and ran a 30 ton crane
on an offshore drilling platform for more than two years, so I have a LITTLE
bit of experience.

The weak points a

Steel: HF and the Chicoms are advancing in their metallurgy, and the
hardness of their steel is improving. Things that would wear out a few
years ago are lasting longer now. It all depends on the application. Hard
use will bring out the weak points FAST.

Examine the working loads. Just because the unit is rated at 1,000#, it
will last far longer if you only use it to lift 250 or 500, or even 750
occasionally than 1,000 24/7.

Watch the connections. The terminal sockets, the cable ends that have the
sockets either pressed on there, or (correctly) have them poured with molten
metal are subject to coming off. The sheaves (rollers) are subject to wear
and failure. Easily replaced, but catastrophic if not noticed in time
before failure mode. Replace roller pins with #8 grade bolts.

They're like come-a-longs. Good ones, you just go out and use. Cheap ones,
you have to watch and repair as you go along.

This unit may do well and serve you a long time. But keep an eye on it, and
service whenever and wherever you notice wear.

One last thing.

Lots of people over rate their pickups. The basal mounting and the mounting
to the side wall are critical. Leverage is everything, and even the
absolute spendiest best davit (which is what this is essentially , a davit,
not the best and spendiest) will pull out with the right leverage in a
millisecond while you are watching it do so. So, be aware of your loads,
your angles, and such. BTW, the way this is pictured with the base
attached, and not the mast to the sidewall of the truck is an accident
waiting to happen, and I don't think would lift my mother-in-law safely.
Some lateral bracing would be appropriate, inexpensive, and entirely
correct.

Again, I'm no expert. I've just seen a lot of stuff work and a lot of stuff
fail. These are the strong points I see and the weak ones, too. Mainly
realize that this is no stiff leg or A frame that will lift a lot of weight.
And even one of those has to be level or it gets hairy.


Yes, great points on safety and ratings. I was mostly going to use it
for 200-400 lbs stuff.

i

"Ignoramus10340" wrote in message
...
On 2007-10-30, SteveB wrote:

"Ignoramus10340" wrote in message
...
Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

No, yes, and yes.

First of all, I have not used the crane. Yet, by optical examination, it
seems borderline.

I was Offshore Petroleum Institute certified rigger, and ran a 30 ton
crane
on an offshore drilling platform for more than two years, so I have a
LITTLE
bit of experience.

The weak points a

Steel: HF and the Chicoms are advancing in their metallurgy, and the
hardness of their steel is improving. Things that would wear out a few
years ago are lasting longer now. It all depends on the application.
Hard
use will bring out the weak points FAST.

Examine the working loads. Just because the unit is rated at 1,000#, it
will last far longer if you only use it to lift 250 or 500, or even 750
occasionally than 1,000 24/7.

Watch the connections. The terminal sockets, the cable ends that have
the
sockets either pressed on there, or (correctly) have them poured with
molten
metal are subject to coming off. The sheaves (rollers) are subject to
wear
and failure. Easily replaced, but catastrophic if not noticed in time
before failure mode. Replace roller pins with #8 grade bolts.

They're like come-a-longs. Good ones, you just go out and use. Cheap
ones,
you have to watch and repair as you go along.

This unit may do well and serve you a long time. But keep an eye on it,
and
service whenever and wherever you notice wear.

One last thing.

Lots of people over rate their pickups. The basal mounting and the
mounting
to the side wall are critical. Leverage is everything, and even the
absolute spendiest best davit (which is what this is essentially , a
davit,
not the best and spendiest) will pull out with the right leverage in a
millisecond while you are watching it do so. So, be aware of your loads,
your angles, and such. BTW, the way this is pictured with the base
attached, and not the mast to the sidewall of the truck is an accident
waiting to happen, and I don't think would lift my mother-in-law safely.
Some lateral bracing would be appropriate, inexpensive, and entirely
correct.

Again, I'm no expert. I've just seen a lot of stuff work and a lot of
stuff
fail. These are the strong points I see and the weak ones, too. Mainly
realize that this is no stiff leg or A frame that will lift a lot of
weight.
And even one of those has to be level or it gets hairy.


Yes, great points on safety and ratings. I was mostly going to use it
for 200-400 lbs stuff.

i

For that weight range, I would use it myself, BUT, I would still put in the
lateral bracing, and when bolting it to the bed, realize that truck beds are
only slightly stonger than aluminum foil.

Any time you can brace or bracket it over to a frame member, the better. No
problem for a metal worker.

Steve

I've got one - you may have seen the grey Dodge with the Orange pole
in the back around. It is OK but:
1/ mounting it to the box bottom even with reinforcement doesn't cut
it. I have to re-do mine one of these days. The boom has been off
for months now since it broke the welds in the box.
2/ the winch is very poor quality - I stripped it - I can't think what
I was doing at the time - maybe trying to get the B&S surface grinder
off the pallet at about about 700lbs I think. (I didn't have an
engine hoist at the time.)

Other than that I think pretty good for the price.

Cheers,
rem

On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:36:44 -0500, Ignoramus10340
wrote:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

"Rob Morden" wrote in message
...
snip-----

2/ the winch is very poor quality - I stripped it - I can't think what
I was doing at the time - maybe trying to get the B&S surface grinder
off the pallet at about about 700lbs I think. (I didn't have an
engine hoist at the time.)

You sure about that 700 pounds? B&S didn't make lousy equipment, which
means that a surface grinder, for which they have a respectable reputation,
would likely weigh in more like 3,000 pounds.

Harold

Harold,
Sorry I realized after I wrote that that B&S was wrong - it is a Boyer
Schultz (sp?) from here in Chicago. It is a 6 x 12 so it is only a
little one. I don't really have any idea as I haven't gotten together
with the fellow I got them from to get the manuals and extra bits.

rem

On Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:53:34 GMT, "Harold and Susan Vordos"
wrote:


"Rob Morden" wrote in message
.. .
snip-----

2/ the winch is very poor quality - I stripped it - I can't think what
I was doing at the time - maybe trying to get the B&S surface grinder
off the pallet at about about 700lbs I think. (I didn't have an
engine hoist at the time.)

You sure about that 700 pounds? B&S didn't make lousy equipment, which
means that a surface grinder, for which they have a respectable reputation,
would likely weigh in more like 3,000 pounds.

Harold

"Rob Morden" wrote in message
...
Harold,
Sorry I realized after I wrote that that B&S was wrong - it is a Boyer
Schultz (sp?) from here in Chicago. It is a 6 x 12 so it is only a
little one. I don't really have any idea as I haven't gotten together
with the fellow I got them from to get the manuals and extra bits.

rem

Yep, I'm familiar with the Boyar Schultz grinders. Nice little machines,
but not as robust as Brown & Sharpe. My moneys still thinks it would
weigh more than 700, but then I'm not familiar with any of the manual
models. All that I have operated were hydraulic 6 x 18.

Regards,

Harold

Ignoramus10340 wrote in
:

Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

I had one. The cable snapped (I can't estimate the load). Luckily, no one
was hurt.

I mount one on top of my 4 story apartment building. Then I mounted a
electric winch to the end of the boom. I was able to get all the
redwood lumber for a 700 sq ft roof deck up with great ease.
Saved my back.


Ignoramus10340 wrote:
Has anyone used this crane? Any good/bad experiences?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=37555

i

I came across a 5/8" thick, approximately 12x13" in size, steel
plate. It came in a "mystery lot" that was auctioned without picture.

I doubt that it is enough for the crane, but it could be a start.

i