"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?

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

If you add legs that you drop before you lift anything with it I could see that working.

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

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...

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

Roll the truck away from the hoist

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

use the tree

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...e6c534_300.jpg

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.

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

Yeah, that would work. I could always hook it up to one of the other trucks and pull it back.

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...

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!

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.

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

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...

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.

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

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

.
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.
https://images.homedepot-static.com/...10-64_1000.jpg

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

Here is the pic I remember seeing.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_jlNKkl-rSbc/TC...0/DCP01024.JPG

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

I saw another where they used big caster wheels. Seemed to work okay.

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

this may be what you are looking forAttachment 2046212

Attachment 2046213

Attachment 2046214

Attachment 2046215

Attachment 2046216

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

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

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.

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

Re: "offroad" cherry picker?
 

The idea of making them slide in and out to swap between the casters was a great idea!