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heavy lifting

Kyle | Posted in Construction Techniques on November 25, 2008 03:14am

Let me first say that I’ve seen the video that everyone posts with the guy who moves large concrete blocks all by himself. So please, no one suggest it.

Now, my question is…

I have a 16′ long 12×12 cypress beam that has to go 8′ in the air.

Any suggestions.

Thanks

Reply

Replies

  1. User avater
    BarryE | Nov 25, 2008 03:19am | #1

    <I have a 16' long 12x12 cypress beam that has to go 8' in the air.>

    cut it in half? Then you would have 2 of them 8' hi


    Barry E-Remodeler

     

    1. natedaw | Nov 25, 2008 03:23am | #2

      pffft a couple of 8th graders should be able to lift that.

    2. DanH | Nov 25, 2008 05:52am | #9

      Cut it in half lengthwise and you only have to lift each one four feet.
      The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one. --Wilhelm Stekel

  2. husbandman | Nov 25, 2008 03:35am | #3

    boom truck

    if you don't mind doing it incredibly slowly, jack and crib, jack and crib, etc.

    we set a 14" x 24' fir log 9' high last August with scaffolding and eight people just lifting it into place

  3. mike4244 | Nov 25, 2008 03:36am | #4

    If the beam is dry it is comparatively light, cypress if I recall weighs about 26lbs per cubic foot.Probably weighs under 450 lbs.A comealong if you have something sturdy to hang it from. Two scaffolds on either side to the beam with a hoisting beam across them.Rent a small lift , does not have to be powered.If this is outside or accessible with a small machine, crane, backhoe ,forklift etc.

    mike

    1. 2thumbs | Nov 25, 2008 03:44am | #5

      Rent a "Genie Lift" from the local rental outfit. Capacity is 650 lbs 14" out from the tower. They come in various lifting heights up to about 24 feet. It's like a manual forklift. All hand operated, mobile and uncomplicated. One person can do the whole job.

  4. JohnCujie | Nov 25, 2008 03:54am | #6

    Second on the genie lift. Easy assuming you have a level surface to work upon.

    John

  5. MSA1 | Nov 25, 2008 04:37am | #7

    How many guys will be onsite?

    Whats it gonna sit on?

    Are the ends going into pockets or can you slide it sideways into position?

    How much room do you have?

     

     

    Family.....They're always there when they need you.

    1. Yersmay | Nov 25, 2008 05:50am | #8

      Recently there was a thread entitled 'Lifting a 1000 pound beam'... or something like that. It was extremely instructive. In fact, based on what I learned I lifted three LVL's into position. The heaviest was around 350 pounds. As the thread described, I built cribbing around the beams, positioning them about a third of the way in from the ends. My helper and I then 'walked' the beam up, using the cribbing as fulcrums for leverage. (The thread will explain this a lot better than I can.) It was actually a lot of fun. I rented two roof jacks to help with the last eight or so inches... These are telescoping poles that have a screw mechanism that allows you to lift slowly and methodically until the thing is positioned just right.

  6. John @ SoloSider | Nov 25, 2008 06:17am | #10

    We had to lift a beam very similar, we used wall jacks. we jacked it straight up worked great.



    Edited 11/24/2008 10:20 pm ET by John @ SoloSider

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