I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

In article ,
Terry Collins wrote:

I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

For that I use the carry-all on my tractor as a power tailgate.

--
Free men own guns, slaves don't
www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5357/

Nick Hull wrote:

For that I use the carry-all on my tractor as a power tailgate.

Alas, I don't have one of those {:-), but I would dearly love the land
to justify it. Of course, it seems just a tad extreme to hitch up the
car float to take the tractor to the hardware store to perform this
action.

I'm thinking that my other option is just to build a ramp for a hand
trolley.

In article , Terry Collins
wrote:

I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

Pretty simple thing to build, but installing can be a bit tricky.
You will need to anchor it either to a large plate on the floor of the
van or to the frame of the van.
If you had a towing hitch reciever on the bumper you could simply have
it removable.

50 kg is pretty light for a transome arm, so it would only need a
simple cable winch.

The simplest mount would be a plate on the floor of the van, about 1
meter x 1 meter square.

Terry Collins wrote:
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

Don't Harbor Fright and Northern Tools etc sell a winch powered
swinging crane for use in a pick up? Could one of these be modified to
work? They look something like this....
http://hooya.en.alibaba.com/offerdetail/50901835/Sell_Pick_up_Truck_Crane.html

Pete

--
__
Pete Snell
Royal Military College
Kingston Ontario


The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
- George Bernard Shaw

You might find that one of these hitch mounted platforms is low enough
to the ground that you can handle it yourself.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...7&storeId=6970

If that doesn't work try www.northerntool.com Item # 330249

Terry Collins wrote:
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

In article ,
Terry Collins wrote:

I'm thinking that my other option is just to build a ramp for a hand
trolley.

That would probably be simplest. At the opposite end, you could see if
any wheelchair lifts are sitting around at the local scrapyard, and put
one of those on the van, but they take up space and cost quite a bit,
even if you can find one in a scrapyard.

With a van, for these small loads, I'd be inclined to put a small rail
on the inside of the roof, arranged to slide in so the door can be
closed, and to slide out to pick up a load. Have a small traveller that
runs on the rail, and a block & tackle hung from that. Open the rear
door, slide out the rail, pull the traveler out to the end of the rail,
hook the load, hoist, roll the traveller into the van, drop the load,
slide the rail in, close the door.

You could also make the rail fixed, and have a hinged section which
folds up onto the van roof for storage and door closing, folds down to
meet the inside rail for hoisting, but that seems more complicated.

If you're sticking to 35-40 kg per load, I'd think the van roof
structure would be plenty to support this by itself.

--
Cats, Coffee, Chocolate...vices to live by

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 17:04:33 +1100, Terry Collins
wrote:

I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

I looked into these at one time, pretty expensive but will work on
enclosed vehicle like a van or suv if you use the hitch mounted
version and it doesn't weigh much itself.

http://www.spitzlift.com/

Von

I would make a cart that uses casters for wheels and a rope attached so
it can be pulled from the store to the van. And a ramp made with a lip
so the cart will not go off sideways. If it is too hard to pull the
loaded cart up the ramp, buy one of those electric winches and attach
it in the van.

So my way would be pull the cart next to the bag. Tip the bag onto the
cart. Slide the bag so it is securely on the cart. Pull cart to van
and up the ramp. Roll bag off cart and take cart to get second bag.


Dan

(clip) hitch up the car float (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a new one on me. Is that what is called a "trailer" in America?

Or how about this idea? Hang one end of an I-beam in the "archway" at the
back of the van, with the other end resting on the ground (or on a support a
couple feet above the ground. Put a little roller setup on the lower flange
of the I-beam, that you can use to hoist the load off of a cart, and roll up
the beam into the van.

Terry Collins wrote:

I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,

In Jersey, we try to keep that stuff away from home. Usually underwater.

Kevin Gallimore

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http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
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"Terry Collins" wrote in message
...
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.


Try one of these.
http://www.pridemobility.com/Product.../hercules.html

My Dad used it to lift his scooter into the back of the car. Works great.

Steve.

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 17:04:33 +1100, Terry Collins
vaguely proposed a theory
.......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

I really would go with a ramp. It's simple, You can make it
dismantlable, or even extendable, and it stores easily (even under the
van?) It puts stress on the van where stress was meant to go, too IMO,
without mods. You can then choose whether to simply slide stuff up,
roll up on a d-handle trolley, or use a winch.

I made one out of two 75mm * 50mm * 2.5mm RHS lengths, each 2400mm
long. I am looking seriously at making it extendable (shortening it!).

This is to load up into a ute that is maybe 1 metre off the ground. I
get about 25 degrees. Or to put it another way, I only have to
overcome any friction and I get 1 2.4:1 lift reduction.

Mine has a piece of angle at the end of each ramp support, to hook
over a lip, either on my trailer or my ute. You need to make sure the
ramp will not slide in either direction. It can be a real PITA if the
ramps start sliding up into the van! G

I have a platform to go between the two rails, but on "brave"
occasions I have run a trolley just up the ramps ! G For lots of
gear that is being slid, I just use the ramps.

The dimensions I gave you would be way overkill for your needs. I have
slid a 500 Kg compactor up mine. I just did a quick check, and a
single rhs 37 * 50 * 2 mm, 2.4 M long, will take a 125 Kg load in the
centre, albeit under some stress. Also, the beam in question is flat,
not on a slope.

For big stuff, I have a cheap electric winch that came from the local
motor supermarket. It pulls easily 200Kg. I think they call it a "2000
marine lb" winch GG. I have lifted a 205 Litre drum full of water
with it. This one has a mounting that allows you to simply hook it on
and off.

If you are going to use a trolley, remember to account for your own
weight when looking at beam strength.

I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

Terry Collins wrote:
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

First Buy smaller bags. When I worked delivery for an autobody supply
store we convinced everyone to stop ordering th 100 pound bags of sand
blasting sand and oreder 50 pound ones instead. Made it easier on us and
the customers (the number of body men with bad backs was amazing, and
having some of the customers ask us to fill their sandblasters, yeah
those kind of customers). Trust me even if the lighter bags cost a few
dollars more is it worth wrecking your back over?

Second we had a Trade Magazine for autobody and auto part suppliers and
I can remember an add for a roll-out bed for vans and trucks. It was
capable of handling something like 500-1000 pounds (I wish we could have
had them, but no it cost "too much"). It operated the better variety of
sliding drawers. I don't have a name for either the product or the
company that made it as it has been years.
Ken

"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
...
| Or how about this idea? Hang one end of an I-beam in the "archway" at the
| back of the van, with the other end resting on the ground (or on a support
a
| couple feet above the ground. Put a little roller setup on the lower
flange
| of the I-beam, that you can use to hoist the load off of a cart, and roll
up
| the beam into the van.

This is not an uncommon rig in the back of heavy duty work trucks. My
first job was at an oilfield wellhead shop and our truck had a stout frame
holding up an i-beam in the middle where we had a hoist. When a single
valve or piece of equipment matches the payload capacity of the truck and
you're out in the middle of nowhere in the mud and rain, you need something
like that.

On a lighter duty arrangement, you can use barn door rollers and tracks
with a hoist of your choice. You can get creative and hang one track from
another so the lower track can extend outside of your van and still retract.
I've seen this stuff for sale at big box stores, IIRC. Go see
http://www.irly.ca/irly/corp/0345.HTM and
http://www.doityourselfwarehouse.com...ndbrackets.htm for
examples.

Leo Lichtman wrote:

(clip) hitch up the car float (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a new one on me. Is that what is called a "trailer" in America?

Yep, your basic trailer big enough to take a car.
Funnilly, I am equally used to hearing car trailer or car float.

I've never heard the term "car float" what part of the country is the term
common?
Karl

"Terry Collins" wrote in message
...
Leo Lichtman wrote:

(clip) hitch up the car float (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's a new one on me. Is that what is called a "trailer" in America?

Yep, your basic trailer big enough to take a car.
Funnilly, I am equally used to hearing car trailer or car float.

"Terry Collins" wrote in message
...
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Here is my suggestion. Buy the stuff from a place that will deliver it.
Think about it, of the materials you describe, you will probably only need 5
to 10 bags a year. Even if it cost you 10% to 20% more you won't wrench
your back, and you won't need to make anything for your truck.

That will probably be less than the material for making the winch setup.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.

Karl Vorwerk wrote:

I've never heard the term "car float" what part of the country is the term
common?

Sydney, Australia {:-)

In article ,
Karl Vorwerk wrote:

"Terry Collins" wrote in message
...

[ ... ]

Yep, your basic trailer big enough to take a car.
Funnilly, I am equally used to hearing car trailer or car float.

I've never heard the term "car float" what part of the country is the term
common?

The first question is "which country?" Accordding to his
e-mail address, he is in OZ (Australia). Then it *might* be that it is
a term used countrywide. I'll admit that I never heard it before this
thread, here in the USA.

Enjoy,
DoN.

--
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

This is a hitch mounted hoist, I read a favorable review in a 4x4
magazine. Usually used with pickup trucks, but can be used with vans,
see the website below.

http://www.spitz-lift.com/cargovan-package.htm

The ramp is another option, could be homebuilt.

But for loads in the 50 kg - 110 lb range, I favor what is called a team
lift. In other words, two people pick it up. That keeps the weight
down to what each person can reasonably handle. If I have something too
heavy for me to comfortably pick up by myself, I ask a neighbor to help
me. Many hands make light work.

I am also amazed that a company would sell 50 kg bags, and then create a
rule that it is unsafe for employees to pick them up! So it is safe for
homeowners and others to lift something, but not their own employees?
What a double standard. Find another company, preferably one that sells
25 kg bags. The local Home depot store sells concrete in two bag sizes,
one almost 50 kg, the other closer to 25 kg. I always buy the smaller bag.

Richard


Terry Collins wrote:
I am looking for suggestions as to something I can fabricate to load and
unload 30-50kg (~110lb) weight/bags from my van.

On occassions I need to bring home bags of concrete mix, blood and bone,
lime, gypsum, etc and these weigh 35+kg, which is getting to be the
limit of my ability to lift and due to diabetic complications, could
also cause other problem.

Sadly I don't have a grand daughter, and even if I did, OH&S prohibits
the young blokes at the hardware store from showing off and loading
these for me (25kg max). Plus all these bags weigh as much as my willing
helpers at the other end.

So, I'm looking for a van roof or floor mount device (that I can
construct) that will swing out out, lift bag, swing back in and lower
bag.

Ideas welcome.

None of my Australian friends ever had trailer.
Thanks
Karl

"Terry Collins" wrote in message
...
Karl Vorwerk wrote:

I've never heard the term "car float" what part of the country is the
term
common?

Sydney, Australia {:-)