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Hoist Installation

An electric lifting hoist is a useful piece of equipment for the garage of a do-it-yourselfer. Commonly available with a weight rating of 880 lbs, it is invaluable for lifting heavy packages from pickup trucks and other lifting chores. But it is not immediately apparent how to install such a hoist. Modern homes utilize framing members known as roofing trusses" to support the roof and ceiling, and the first thing the average homeowner notices is that they are made of light 2-inch by 4-inch lumber. Structural engineers design these trusses to accept loads far beyond that necessary to support the ceiling and roof and so they can be useful in homemade hoists as well.

Things You'll Need

Ladder
Long, thin screwdriver
One 4-inch by 4-inch timber, 8 feet long
Tape measure
Chalk
1 2-1/4-inch schedule 40 steel pipe, 5 feet long
Electric drill with long 5/8-inch bit
2 pipe support stanchions with U-bolts, washers and nuts
Socket wrench set

Instructions

- 1
  Set up the ladder in the garage where you plan to install the hoist. Poke the screwdriver through the ceiling to the handle.
- 2
  Take the timber into the attic above the garage and lay it across and perpendicular to the horizontal framing members of the trusses, so that it crosses the location marked by the screwdriver. Check that it doesn't rest on any wires and that it bears evenly on as many trusses as possible.
- 3
  Measure 12 inches to 18 inches in each direction from the screwdriver and mark the center of the timber. There should be two trusses between the marks. Pull back the insulation and ensure there is no wiring underneath the marks, then drill straight down through the timber and the ceiling at each mark.
- 4
  Go into the garage and push the stanchions through the two holes and into the timber. Return to the attic and fasten the stanchions to the timber with washers and nuts. Tighten the nuts only enough for full thread engagement; do not tighten it until the stanchions press tightly on the ceiling.
- 5
  Return to the garage and attach the hoist to the steel pipe, using the supplied straps and bolts.
- 6
  Lift the hoist up the ladder and seat the pipe into the stanchions. Insert the U-bolts and secure with the washers and nuts. Tighten the nuts firmly.
- 7
  Plug the hoist into a 15 amp, 115 volt outlet.

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