The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Tools, Shops and Shop Safety

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-04-2015, 11:39 PM   #1
unreconstructed1
nec absolutum
 
unreconstructed1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 223
"offroad" cherry picker?

OK, I am the literal definition of a shadetree mechanic. I have no garage, and the only fairly level place I have to work on my truck is beside a big tree in my yard. I would like to build a garage, pour a floor, etc. but that just isn't in the budget if I actually plan to put any money into my truck...

With that being said, I have been considering a few ideas on the best way to pull the engine and transmission, and ultimately the cab and bed to start prep work for a frame off rebuild.

I was looking around trying to come up with ideas, and I came across these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch...ter-38944.html

Do ya'll think it would be possible (or even safe) to mount a set of these on a cherry picker to make it a little easier to pull around in the yard?
__________________
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~ Thomas Jefferson

1967 GMC C1500 LWB 250/3 on the tree-
1969 Chevy C/10 SWB 350/TH350
1996 Chevy Silverado LWB 350/4L60E
1997 Chevy K2500 350/4L80E
unreconstructed1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 11:44 PM   #2
71swb4x4
Senior Member
 
71swb4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

If you add legs that you drop before you lift anything with it I could see that working.
__________________
Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
71swb4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2015, 11:56 PM   #3
unreconstructed1
nec absolutum
 
unreconstructed1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 223
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 71swb4x4 View Post
If you add legs that you drop before you lift anything with it I could see that working.
I had actually thought about adding some outrigger type supports, but If I need the outriggers, i'd be worried that it would probably fall over anyhow when trying to back the cherry picker away from the truck while loaded...
__________________
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~ Thomas Jefferson

1967 GMC C1500 LWB 250/3 on the tree-
1969 Chevy C/10 SWB 350/TH350
1996 Chevy Silverado LWB 350/4L60E
1997 Chevy K2500 350/4L80E
unreconstructed1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 12:27 PM   #4
71swb4x4
Senior Member
 
71swb4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Roll the truck away from the hoist
__________________
Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
71swb4x4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 01:08 PM   #5
_Ogre
Registered User
 
_Ogre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Motown
Posts: 7,660
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

use the tree

__________________
cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build

how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature
shop air compressor timer
_Ogre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 01:23 PM   #6
Ozzy2013
Registered User
 
Ozzy2013's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Elkton
Posts: 693
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Yea i was going to say the same thing if the tree is big enough put a 4x4 bolt one end to the tree and then a support arm on the top or bottom .Then use a comealong .They make nice portable garages canvas and galvanized pipes for less than 400.00 instant garage used the tree and portable garage for years untill i bought my first house and built a garage.
Ozzy2013 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 04:07 PM   #7
unreconstructed1
nec absolutum
 
unreconstructed1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 223
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Quote:
Originally Posted by 71swb4x4 View Post
Roll the truck away from the hoist
Yeah, that would work. I could always hook it up to one of the other trucks and pull it back.

Quote:
Originally Posted by _Ogre View Post
use the tree

I've done that before, but the first time you have a branch break and screw up a front end, you begin to rethink your options...
__________________
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~ Thomas Jefferson

1967 GMC C1500 LWB 250/3 on the tree-
1969 Chevy C/10 SWB 350/TH350
1996 Chevy Silverado LWB 350/4L60E
1997 Chevy K2500 350/4L80E
unreconstructed1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 05:41 PM   #8
BR3W CITY
meowMEOWmeowMEOW
 
BR3W CITY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MKE WI
Posts: 7,128
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Put the cherry picker in the bed of another pickup with some plates under the wheels to distribute the load on the bed floor. You can actually get a lot done this way if your hoist can dip low enough from the bed height. I've seen a few guys mod a HF engine hoist to bolt into a trailer hitch mount too!
__________________
'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING

MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD
BR3W CITY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 06:37 PM   #9
truckster
Senior Member
 
truckster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,760
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

You might consider an A-frame like wrecking yards have. They use regular-size tires, so they can deal with some pretty uneven ground.
truckster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2015, 07:22 PM   #10
unreconstructed1
nec absolutum
 
unreconstructed1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 223
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BR3W CITY View Post
Put the cherry picker in the bed of another pickup with some plates under the wheels to distribute the load on the bed floor. You can actually get a lot done this way if your hoist can dip low enough from the bed height. I've seen a few guys mod a HF engine hoist to bolt into a trailer hitch mount too!
I thought about the trailer hitch thing too. Actually considered buying one that mounted on a truck bed as well. my biggest problem is that I can't do much heavy modification yet, as I don't have access to a welder. And then there is the fact that I don't know how to weld even if I did...
__________________
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."~ Thomas Jefferson

1967 GMC C1500 LWB 250/3 on the tree-
1969 Chevy C/10 SWB 350/TH350
1996 Chevy Silverado LWB 350/4L60E
1997 Chevy K2500 350/4L80E
unreconstructed1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2015, 02:28 PM   #11
BR3W CITY
meowMEOWmeowMEOW
 
BR3W CITY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MKE WI
Posts: 7,128
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

You live in TN...everytime I'm down there I can trip over 10 welding/fab/race shops ever 50 miles. Given I'm only ever on the Nashville end...but still.
__________________
'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING

MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD
BR3W CITY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-17-2015, 09:11 PM   #12
dirtyjim
Registered User
 
dirtyjim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: alvin, texas
Posts: 622
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

I've pulled several engines and transmissions on dirt and what I've always used was 3/4" plywood under the truck. for transmissions and light engines a single sheet is fine, I've pulled heavier engines by doubling the plywood. as long as the ground is close to level the cherry picker will roll on the plywood just fine
__________________
1967 C10 lwb two tone, 305 & rat fink style floor shifted 700r4, 20" steelies
2004 2500HD utility bed aka Brutus
dirtyjim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2020, 09:26 PM   #13
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtyjim View Post
I've pulled several engines and transmissions on dirt and what I've always used was 3/4" plywood under the truck. for transmissions and light engines a single sheet is fine, I've pulled heavier engines by doubling the plywood. as long as the ground is close to level the cherry picker will roll on the plywood just fine
.
Old thread, but I was searching for a thread for using the bigger wheels like asked by the OP.
I also have used the plywood method. I then let the engine back down on a wheelbarrow like this to move it around. Didn't do too bad.
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2020, 09:30 PM   #14
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Here is the pic I remember seeing.
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2020, 03:42 PM   #15
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

I saw another where they used big caster wheels. Seemed to work okay.
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2020, 04:41 PM   #16
bob arrington
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Clitherall
Posts: 56
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

this may be what you are looking forName:  20200906_152142.jpg
Views: 445
Size:  57.0 KB

Name:  20200906_152217.jpg
Views: 485
Size:  64.3 KB

Name:  20200906_152328.jpg
Views: 479
Size:  22.7 KB

Name:  20200904_152322.jpg
Views: 348
Size:  35.3 KB

Name:  20200904_152312.jpg
Views: 461
Size:  55.3 KB

it worked quite well on a gravel driveway, I didnt fab it but when a local farmer advertised it for sale , I drove 100 miles to buy it. It made a difficult job ...easier. hope this helps
bob arrington is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-06-2020, 04:45 PM   #17
bob arrington
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Clitherall
Posts: 56
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Name:  20200906_152207.jpg
Views: 588
Size:  50.5 KB

Name:  20200906_152328.jpg
Views: 586
Size:  22.7 KB

Name:  20200906_152338.jpg
Views: 614
Size:  25.0 KB
the nice thing is that the axles with the rubber tires slide out and the original casters slide in for moving around a garage floor.
bob arrington is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2020, 03:56 AM   #18
bob arrington
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Clitherall
Posts: 56
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

to help a bit more, I parked my retirement project c20 directly in front of the garage with the front tires on ramps so I could get under it to work also but the tires on the lift would have rolled under the truck without them. The extra height of the tires made it possible to pull the engine without having to remove the truck from the ramps, the rubber tires made it possible to roll the hoist and engine into the garage without issue, the engine was put on an engine stand, the hoist was rolled back out side . when the engine was complete, I reversed the process, the rubber tires making it possible to slide the hoist side to side to align it with the truck. Except for needing to use a step stool for the engine install on the mounts and aligning the trans shaft into the clutch, its the easiest I've ever done by myself outside and I'm almost 69 years old. The rubber tires had enough give that when things were close, I put my weight on the end of the hoist with one hand and maneuvered the engine with the other, saving all that up and down to get things lined up. After the bottom end was buttoned up, I rolled the truck off the ramps and finished the top end. hope this helps
bob arrington is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-07-2020, 12:18 PM   #19
LostMy65
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
 
LostMy65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,457
Re: "offroad" cherry picker?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bob arrington View Post
Attachment 2046217

Attachment 2046218

Attachment 2046219
the nice thing is that the axles with the rubber tires slide out and the original casters slide in for moving around a garage floor.
The idea of making them slide in and out to swap between the casters was a great idea!
__________________
I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650

66 C20 Service Truck:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035
LostMy65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com