cheap chain falls

So, my 10' x 30' equipment shed is packed full. There's no where left to go but up. I've got floor space for the big stuff, but anything that's occasional use and weighing less than a few hundred pounds needs to be hoisted the ceiling. This includes:

Herd M12 spreader
25 gallon towable sprayer
42" aerator
24" walnut harvester
etc.

The only two items on this list of any real weight are the Herd M12, and my aerator (which will be stored with ballast weights removed). I found that I can pretty easily hoist and store the Herd with a 3:1 purchase block and tackle, as I rigged up in the photo below. I also set up two smaller 2:1 rigs to pull the lower link attachments up to the ceiling, so it hangs horizontally. No problem... but I do worry about rope breakage, possibly due to a mouse chewing on the ropes during winter. This thing probably only weighs 100 - 200 lb., but would kill someone if landing on their head.

I was searching for blocks, rope, safety chains, cleats, etc... when I realized some of the cheaper chain falls on the market cost less than I pay for a single block. Rather than spending a few hundred dollars to hang each machine, I could probably do the whole rig with a $30 chain fall and some spare loops of chain.

http://amzn.com/B004I0J3KG
http://amzn.com/B000VQEN2E

Does anyone have any experience with these, or could you suggest another? The weight of each respective machine to be hoisted is fairly low, but with me pulling equipment in and out of this shed on a near daily basis, safety is key. My original plan was rope for hoisting, and safety chains to be installed for storage, after hoisting. May still go that route, but that will probably cost more than these chain falls.

Thanks!

Keep in mind, this was just proof of concept, using some old hardware I had lying around, not a permanent rig.

I don't get it. Those rafters hold snow load WAY in excess of the weight of that little spreader. What am I missing?

Actually, rafter deflection as defined in the standard tables, is calculated based on deflection due to a point load at mid-span. Again, we're talking a load of less than 200 lb., shared between three 2x8 rafters, with a 10 foot span. I think anyone worried about this has not spent much time around lumber.

Well, I could easily add flitch plates to the rafters, but I think the weak spot is their connection to the original barn wall. They're simply toe-nailed to a 2x10 that's lagged into that upper wall, with no cleat supporting them from below. However, do note that the load is currently shared by three (not two) rafters! Top link of 3-point hitch to center rafter, and the lower pins to the rafter on either side. The center rafter probably carries more than 50% of the load, while the other two share the remainder.

edit: just realized my photos don't show it as it normally hangs. In those photos, I have it shown hanging solely from the top link on the 3-point. Normally, it's drawn up tight to the ceiling, with the yellow and second blue ropes tied to the lower link pins.

lukem said:

Raise them up to the desired height the cheapest way possible, then attach them to a short section of chain and D links, sling hook, whatever, then lower the load so the chain is holding the weight.

Click to expand...

Yep... that was my original plan:

Joful said:

My original plan was rope for hoisting, and safety chains to be installed for storage, after hoisting. May still go that route, but that will probably cost more than these chain falls.

Click to expand...

lukem said:

I've yet to see a mouse chew through a chain, but they may grow them bigger in Philly.

Click to expand...

nah... our mice are tame. Ya gotta go to NYC to see the big'uns.