Perfect Size Garage Crane Plans

Perfect Size Garage Crane Plans

Get maximum height with a garage crane that still rolls through the door! Use it outdoors, then roll it right in. These Gantry Crane Plans have telescoping legs with options for the beam size and length.

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$ 16.99 - Complete Plans

* Plans are in a computer document. You may Save them to your computer immediately after Payment.

Description

By design, this gantry is the perfect size as a garage crane. It maximizes size when extended, yet it telescopes down to roll through a standard 7′ high overhead garage door.

The crane will easily lift engines, boats, motorcycles, snowmobiles, trailers, and most any heavy project. It’s a gantry crane that expands to your space with easy adjustments. And, it comes apart easily for storage or transport. Here’s the article explaining why we call it the perfect size home crane.

Make the top beam the length you need. Plans give engineering info for width and capacity. Spring loaded casters allow the crane to move easily around the garage, then set down solid for safety when lifting.

This is a proven design that this Mechanic and Engineer built and uses frequently. If you need a crane for your garage shop, these plans are the Perfect Size for a Garage Gantry Crane.

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For a nifty Crank to raise and lower the crane, get the Top Beam Lifter Conversion Plans also.

Specifications

Perfect Size Garage Crane Plans

Top I-beam design with width options from 8 ft to 12 ft +, and even more with adjustments.
Telescoping legs allow the top beam to go up and down. The lowest position fits just under a standard 7′ high overhead garage door.
Lift Capacity: Up to 6000 lb (depending on beam options and width).
Options of Steel or Aluminum for the Top I-Beam. (Plans include Engineering data for choosing.)
Legs are Steel for rigidity and safety.
Contains spring support wheel assembly in the plans (for safety and roll around mobility).
These plans are fully Engineered, so you can build with confidence.
Plans include garage crane part drawings, build instructions, and a full bill of materials.

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More About The Design Features

These plans follow the design of the Original Mobile Crane, then the Upsized Monster Shop Crane. Legs telescope from a low position that will just pass through a standard garage door, then they expand up in several positions. The top height gives almost 10.5 feet clearance under the top beam! That’s enough height to lift a boat, or equipment to a trailer. Think of it as a design to maximize size while still fitting through a standard garage door.

The garage crane is heavy duty – strong enough to do almost any garage job, yet it will disassemble for portability or for storage. It has roll around mobility with spring loaded caster wheel mounts (for safety) — so when it is lifting, it won’t roll away. Instead, it sets down solid on the ground for safety.

Construction requires steel cutting, welding and drilling.
Load Capacity depends on options, and ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 lbs.*

Plans include easy to follow illustrated instructions, a List of Materials, details for building each of the pieces, Construction Hints, and design options. The options include things like beam sizes, steel or aluminum, overall size, wheels, length of legs, etc. . . . Read more about What is in the Plans . . .

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Maximize Your Garage Crane

Make the most of this excellent garage (or shop) crane. It’s the perfect engine hoist, boat lift, snowmobile hoist, etc.; and, it’s great for lots of other lifting chores. This garage crane (mini gantry) is fully adjustable up and down, then with the I-Beam Connector Clamp (Free Plans) the crane also adjusts width-wise so it can fit your project — and your available garage (or shop) space. It’s easy to use, easy to adjust, and easy to disassemble for storage or portability. Best of all . . . You Can Build It Yourself !

To make lifting even easier, check out the crane accessories! — Our “Winching Pole” & Load Leveler is the perfect hoist addition for many gantry cranes. Then, there is the I-Beam Connector Clamp (Free Plans) which gives infinite width options without cutting or drilling extra holes in the top beam. We recommend both, and we use both in our shop.

Beam trolley(s), winch and lifting equipment, are needed for full function of the garage crane. Quality lifting accessories are available through retailers like Grainger, MSC and others, while cheaper stuff is easy to find on Amazon, eBay, etc.

The base crane is manually lifted to the desired height. Plans are also available for a Winch Style Top Beam Lifter as a conversion.

Alternate Sizes & Conversions

3 Gantry Crane Sizes

The Mobile Gantry Crane, (which is actually our most popular).
A Perfect Size Garage Crane just barely fits under as standard 7′ tall garage door.
The Up-Sized Gantry Crane Plans which has the data to make a larger gantry crane at the size you need. (Within limits, of course.)

All have similar construction, but each design focuses on the intended place of use. All have adjustments with sizing to meet your needs. Admittedly, there is overlap with sizes, so you won’t go wrong if you’re not quite sure which plans to buy.

Raise & Lower the Top Beam with Ease

Build your crane with a winch driven leg extender. This conversion makes lifting and lowering the top beam easy. One person can do it.

Plans show how to convert our other gantry crane plans. They include the drawings and instructions as well as material and component lists to build it just like in the image. (Colors are optional.)

Conversion plans are sold separate. You will need both the Crane Plans and these Top Beam Lifter Conversion Plans.

$ 9.99 - Complete Plans Add To Cart

Maximize Your Project

Make the most of your new Shop Tools project. We have plans, of course, plus these suggestions.

First: Purchase plans with the "Add to Cart" button, then right after payment, a digital copy is ready to save to your computer. Please see this article for answers about getting the plans.

Second: Look through the plans and choose your options. (Things like size, capacity and extras.) For changes, read When It's Safe To Customize the Plans. Also, check out Customer Stories for inspiration.

Third: Get the most from your new Tool with accessories. We recommend Quality accessories to serve well for years. Try Grainger, MSC, McMaster and others. Amazon, eBay, etc. can be good, but be careful getting cheap stuff.

Fourth: We have many articles to help in building. Just type a question in the Show Me bar (top of this page), then press "GO". Or, for simple browsing, visit Articles from the Mechanic.

Reminder:

Building requires skill and proper tools for cutting, drilling, accurate set-up, and (for some plans) machining and welding. Strength, durability, and enjoyment depend on quality construction. Please take time to Build it well, so it will Serve you well !!

Shop Tools Notes for Success

* Load capacity of a CRANE is a static, vertical load which is highly dependent on materials used, construction techniques, assembly methods, orientation and squareness of the assembly, and proper load distribution. Load capacity does not include component capacities for tools, trolley, cables, chains or other hoist equipment. Do not exceed manufacturer limits on any equipment. Always use Extreme Caution when lifting, and don't allow hanging loads to swing. Here is some more good Crane Safety advice.

* Load capacity of a PRESS is a static, central load in the frame, and is highly dependent on choices for materials, components, construction techniques, assembly methods, orientation and squareness of the assembly. It is made for a hydraulic or screw type prime mover only. Not for pneumatics. Load capacity does not include strength of purchased parts like the hydraulic jack, tools, press plates or other equipment. Do not exceed manufacturer limits of any equipment. Always Use Extreme Caution and Proper Safety Equipment when Pressing, and don't press items that are not inline with the prime mover (jack) forces.

* Load capacity of a CART is a static, vertical load, spread over the load surface, which depends on wheel choices, materials, construction techniques, assembly methods, weld quality, etc.. Cart frame load capacity does not include component capacities like casters or bolts. Do not exceed manufacturer limits for components. Always use Caution when setting or moving loads on a cart, and make sure you are in control. Use Extreme Caution with carts on sloped surfaces.

For trouble-free life with shop tools, we always encourage care and safety. Please make sure all fastening methods will handle the environment where it will operate – including vibration, fastener types, bolt grades, torques, and nut types (like lock nuts). Then, be smart with loading, load distribution, force orientation, pressure, and surrounding conditions. We want you safe to enjoy your new tool for a long time ahead.

Thank You — The Mechanical Elements Team