Fork lift or build overhead crane?

WARRIORWELDING

WARRIORWELDING

Owner opperator Of WarriorWelding LLC.
Joined
Jan 6, 2008
Location
Chillin, Hwy 64 Mocksville NC
Just like the title which one?

I am steadily doing work requiring more than I care to wrestle..some I just cannot. My front end loader pulls these duties,plus loading.
Downside it's big, slow, and awkward. Biggest downside is it hangs out the shop at times when lifting due to size. It Also just doesn't turn sharp at all.

The crane would be custom built, by myself. Can't afford a factory job.

Lets say 5k range....shop crane would span roughly half the shop as well. 20 By 40 feet.
 
I would say overhead crane would be the best fit with being able to maneuver what you want easier even over tables or things in the floor that the forklift would have to go around and dodge. Although cost may make the forklift more practical.
 
Big overhead is nice to have but they both do a lot at the shop I work at now, we use forklift to get most stuff inside tovthe crane then Back out in the lot! If only one was option I’d say overhead tho bc forklift takes up a lot of space plus fuel costs,maintenance...
 
Both good points. My delima is I have worked in shops who had both....
If it where a forklift, definatley rubber tires for gravel too.
I also really like the idea of going around equipment. For example loading a shear or plasma table. Moving assemblies and partial pieces of equipment I am repairing.
 
Overhead crane will blow way past your budget just with foundation work if the building isn't already setup for it. I have a 5k forklift and have only wished for a crane a couple times in 10+ years (ignoring the cool factor). For me, the forklift just works better, and is worth the loss of space. Mine is a Cat T50C warehouse style so it's noticeable more compact than the outdoor version. I still drive it on flat packed gravel, but don't venture far from concrete. The size difference between slick tired vs pneumatic tired lifts would take up too much space when not using it, and be too difficult to maneuver when I was using it. I'd say get a forklift for now because you can pick one up for about $2000-3000, and see how it works out. You can kinda use a forklift like a crane, but you can't really use a crane like a forklift.
 
What about build your own A frame stand, on wheels. Mount a AC Winch to it. Still have the fork lift or loader for moving things that the A Frame can't maneuver to. When not in use, it just sits against a wall.
 
I would vote for a forklift. It is more versatile, and you can get a fork mounted boom that is handier than a pocket on a shirt for pulling engines. With the crane you are stuck to one location. And if you have a forklift it would make a future crane installation much easier.
 
You can also build a gin pole for your truck, loader, etc if you decide to go with a crane. It would allow you to get stuff out of the building when needed.

If you decide to go crane, I would invest in a beam/gantry that ran the length of the building, and maybe even outside some, or mount it to a stand that can roll around/outside.
 
A jib crane and fork lift is good. Engine hoist is a close second for moving stuff around without needing a permanent base. Forklifts are nice. So would be a overhead crane, but you can't reposition it easily (unless it's a 2 axis, and that adds to cost). A jib crane will typically rotate and slide in/out but usually only operate in a 8-10' radius. I guess it really depends what you are aiming to move and how far you want to move it and what the intentions are. 2 axis overhead crane is obviously the most flexible for inside the shop without using up floor space. Forklift can venture outside , but like said, it's got to move around equipment. Depends highly on your shop layout, as to what will work best.
 
a_kelley said:
A jib crane and fork lift is good. Engine hoist is a close second for moving stuff around without needing a permanent base. Forklifts are nice. So would be a overhead crane, but you can't reposition it easily (unless it's a 2 axis, and that adds to cost). A jib crane will typically rotate and slide in/out but usually only operate in a 8-10' radius. I guess it really depends what you are aiming to move and how far you want to move it and what the intentions are. 2 axis overhead crane is obviously the most flexible for inside the shop without using up floor space. Forklift can venture outside , but like said, it's got to move around equipment. Depends highly on your shop layout, as to what will work best.
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A engine hoist want handle the sprawling awkward weight I deal with. It it is a crane it would be overhead, two running beams with a transverse beam and trolley. Full range front to rear twenty foot span. I've used jibs before. Really big ones, and a small one. They always move a little weird...but worse to get weight ratings in the range I want get massive. For the reach and lift I'd have to demo concrete and pour a huge footer. AREVS had two that the footer where over 6 foot cubed, with 1.5 in diameter anchors. The column was huge. It was about 15 twenty feet span from center, but only rated around 2 tons.
 
Fork lift all the way. Better yet, get two! I use forklifts for everything. I'd like a crane because they are cool but for all practical purposes the forklifts cab do anything I could ever need in my shop.
 
If you want a cheap forklift I know of a small Clark propane lift that could be had for a thousand bucks. It has solid rubber tires so it would really only be useful on hard surfaces. I plan to buy it and then resell it at some point, the only reason I wanted to buy it was it has a set of 8 foot forks on it which I plan to keep.
 
If it was a busy production shop, I’d vote for crane. For a small independent shop with tasks that vary quite a bit, I’d bet the forklift may work better.

If you decide on a crane, let me know. I have a small one I was saving for a home shop that I’d sell pretty cheap. :D
 
Tacoma747 said:
If you want a cheap forklift I know of a small Clark propane lift that could be had for a thousand bucks. It has solid rubber tires so it would really only be useful on hard surfaces. I plan to buy it and then resell it at some point, the only reason I wanted to buy it was it has a set of 8 foot forks on it which I plan to keep.
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@WARRIORWELDING do that^

I bought mine from a member here about 10 years ago for $700. It's old and worn out, and would probably be annoying to use all day, every day, but it cranks every time and has only needed batteries, a water pump, and a seal kit in 10 years.
 
I wouldn't own a shop without a fork lift ever again. I don't use it every day, but multiple times a week, outdoors as much as indoors, moving vehicles, projects, organizing parts, loading trucks and trailers. Can't do any of that with a crane that can't leave the building. And if I wanted I could build a jib with a 12v 2500lb atv winch on a trolley and jumper cables to the FL battery.
 
Forklift hands down....comes in handy for everything....always nice when big items get delivered and you can pull them off the trailer with a forklift, also helps for loading big items you maybe selling to someone.

I pulled an engine with my forklift for the first time a couple of weeks ago, what a Time saver!
 
I’m another vote for fork lift. If space is really an issue, not sure what kinda weight capacities you’re needing, but something like an order picker with a 3k capacity might fit the bill. I just bought a half dozen refurb’d from my Toyota rep for $8k/ea, but you can find other styles/brands in the $5k range.
 
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