Adding a Crane to my Ditch Witch

[kmakar]

I'm at the point of getting ready to weld the schedule 40 2" pipe to create the new solar array mount over Lisa's she shed and my mind starts working because I already know that for even 4 good sized guys these things are going to be a bear to maneuver and get vertical.

So the best way to put these in is with a crane (like when installing trusses on a house), but I don't happen to have one, and they aren't cheap to rent, so with the equipment I already own, I decided to add the feature of a crane making it possible for 1 man to do the job.

Here's what I did this morning.... most of the hard work is done. Just have to extend the 2" tube, weld a hook for the snatch block, tie some steel cables to the end to support the boom, then hook up the 3,500 lb 12v winch (already welded a mounting plate to the 2" receiver). Home made crane.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

A hell of a weapon. Put a point on it, turn the digger on and go after somebody, maybe the neighbors?

Creative!

 

[kmakar]

A hell of a weapon. Put a point on it, turn the digger on and go after somebody, maybe the neighbors?

Creative!

Jousting with a ditch witch......

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Jousting with a ditch witch......

Yup... With a grind.

 

[kmakar]

I needed to extend the boom for the crane (wasn't quite high enough to lift the solar array pipes), so I had another piece of stock 2x2 1/4 inch wall and used a 18" weld receiver tube to join them, but I didn't like how loose and sloppy it was, plus I was concerned about the 2x2 12 gauge wall being up to the task as I was stealing that from the body cart project, so I decided to buy a 24' stick of the 2x2 1/4" wall. Holy crap the prices for steel are through the roof. One 24' stick of the 2x2 1/4 inch wall was $296.01, but I had no choice since this crane will be used again and again, so I bit the bullet. I have to pick it up today. Glad one of my clients gets discounts for volume buying because I called another place yesterday, and they wanted $400 for the same steel.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

I needed to extend the boom for the crane (wasn't quite high enough to lift the solar array pipes), so I had another piece of stock 2x2 1/4 inch wall and used a 18" weld receiver tube to join them, but I didn't like how loose and sloppy it was, plus I was concerned about the 2x2 12 gauge wall being up to the task as I was stealing that from the body cart project, so I decided to buy a 24' stick of the 2x2 1/4" wall. Holy crap the prices for steel are through the roof. One 24' stick of the 2x2 1/4 inch wall was $296.01, but I had no choice since this crane will be used again and again, so I bit the bullet. I have to pick it up today. Glad one of my clients gets discounts for volume buying because I called another place yesterday, and they wanted $400 for the same steel.

My neighbor had a bunch of dirt delivered and graded out a place for his new building 5 months ago. Building costs went up, he had to stop.

 

[kmakar]

My neighbor had a bunch of dirt delivered and graded out a place for his new building 5 months ago. Building costs went up, he had to stop.

Lisa said, "We are being nickeled and dimed to death", and I responded, "Hell, there ain't no nickels and dimes involved here. It won't be long before a gallon of milk is $20".

That same piece of steel I bought 3 years ago was $100. Inflation? Yeah, I don't think so, it's rape.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Lisa said, "We are being nickeled and dimed to death", and I responded, "Hell, there ain't no nickels and dimes involved here. It won't be long before a gallon of milk is $20".

That same piece of steel I bought 3 years ago was $100. Inflation? Yeah, I don't think so, it's rape.

Bend over!!!

 

[cheveslakr]

The wh put a statement on inflation......"we're using every tool we have to manage inflation".... so in political terms, managing means it's planned and orchestrated.

 

[bikeron]

The wh put a statement on inflation......"we're using every tool we have to manage inflation".... so in political terms, managing means it's planned and orchestrated.

The only "tool" they have is Biden... a real "tool"...

 

[kmakar]

The only "tool" they have is Biden... a real "tool"...

With a really dull edge ..

 

[kmakar]

The crane is done with a support bar holding two 1/4 steel cables capable of supporting 8k lbs, and 8 ton snatch block (with a zerk fitting) modified and welded to an 18" receiver tube (can be removed from the end) slid over the end of the 2x2 1/4" wall square tube.

All that's left is to bolt the winch to the winch plate (two 3/8 grade 8 bolts) I already welded on, and use the battery cable alligator clamps to hook it to the battery.

Now I have to weld the solar array pipes together, prime and paint them, then hoist them up with my new crane.

 

[kmakar]

I got to use the crane this morning to flip the top solar mount over so I could finish welding the other side. While I could weld upside down, I'm not all too keen getting steel weld bombs on my hands and face.

It worked great and the hardest thing I had to do was push a button.

As John "Hannibal" Smith from the " A Team" would say, "I love it when a plan comes together"