Got Crane?

[gmrwizard]

Technically this is a "project" and I am doing "research". We don't have a "shop talk" forum, Do we?

I want to build a freestanding crane in front of by garage with a top mounted bridge. Height 12', span 30', bridge 20', load 6000 lbs.
What size beams and posts will it take to do this?
Anybody know who can "engineer" this for me?
Who sells the parts I will need? ("I" beams at the steel yard ya, ya, ya. I know.)

[hbar314]

You might want to make up a sketch. It would be hard to guesstimate on loading if you no one else nows how its going to be loaded. Even then I would sit down with a PE (professional engineer) and have him give his ok to what ever you have in mind before you build something you might risk a limb or a life under or around.

[8622r]

Technically this is a "project" and I am doing "research". We don't have a "shop talk" forum, Do we?

I want to build a freestanding crane in front of by garage with a top mounted bridge. Height 12', span 30', bridge 20', load 6000 lbs.
What size beams and posts will it take to do this?
Anybody know who can "engineer" this for me?
Who sells the parts I will need? ("I" beams at the steel yard ya, ya, ya. I know.)

you might want to try
http://www.garagejunkies.net/
also

[hudlenutz]

If you want to homebrew something, go to the library, get the ASTM steel manual and look up the properties on standard I beams.  I'd definitely go with the aforementioned PE option.  You might also be able to get free engineering from a local college engineering department if you have one nearby. 

[hbar314]

If you want to homebrew something, go to the library, get the ASTM steel manual and look up the properties on standard I beams.  I'd definitely go with the aforementioned PE option.  You might also be able to get free engineering from a local college engineering department if you have one nearby. 

Yeah thats why I mentioned the PE. It may only cost you an hour of his time (couple hundred) but having his say so would be nice. A manual wont tell him the correct beam to use. Even if he just picks a beam with really high values it can still be improperly loaded. If you are wanting to do something like this then at least talk to a PE informally.