Need Hoist or Jack or Something

**DeathBrewer** · 01-03-2008, 09:58 PM

I cannot lift more than 20 lbs at the moment. literally...i have a bad disc and have been through so many doctors that i think it will be a while before it's fixed (if ever) so i need to find a way to brew beer without lifting to much weight or doing to much crazy stretching.

luckily i have full movement, so i can clean and sanitize all of my equipment with minimal pain, but lifting anything sends a sharp stab through my back and ribs.

i've figured out how to brew all-grain at home using multiple pots and i can always do extract without a problem.

now my only problem is transfers. i need to be able to raise my carboys and buckets so that i can get them high enough to use that lovely natural force of gravity to transfer to bottles and kegs and whatnot.

i live in an apartment where i can not install anything into the walls or ceiling, so no pulleys would work.

is there anything readily available on the market or VERY easy to build that would work for me? i'd need something like a jack, but cannot sit there spinning it for 8 hours...something light but sturdy...something on wheels.

if anyone has any ideas, please let me know. My friends are worthless. i've been trying for months to get any of them to help me transfer a keg to a corny for ONE OF OUR PARTIES and they refuse to help. i am sick of relying on other people for simple tasks i used to take for granted. any advice would be much appreciated.

Vels · 01-03-2008, 10:09 PM

Maybe something like these

http://www.liftmate.co.uk/Mobile-Scisor-Lift-Tables.html#363

Cheers
Jakob

SuperiorBrew · 01-03-2008, 10:12 PM

March Pump? Lift empty carboys and let the pump do all the lifting

jdoiv · 01-03-2008, 10:18 PM

I'm thinking something like a wort wizard or even a pump would work. Morebeer has this which is self priming pump. You could use it for transfers but will have to be careful not to aerate your beer by letting it run for too long. Ideally, you could use it to transfer your cooled wort (it doesn't like hot as the diaphragm will get damaged) into your fermenter that you place at counter height. Then you could transfer down to a corny without moving it. I have a couple of friends that use it to move 15 gallons post boil/chill to their fermenters about 10 feet away. They let it run until it starts bubbling up in the fermenter, which aerates the wort for them. From there, they rack directly to kegs that are below the fermenters. Then they just have to move the cornies, which you could do by rolling them, without lifting.

**DeathBrewer** · 01-03-2008, 10:25 PM

some good ideas, thanks.

unfortunately, when i'm at home, my chiller is on the ground, so i have to lift the carboys up to counter, otherwise the pump would be a great idea. i also use secondaries at times, so several transfers are necessary. not to mention the bottling bucket.

i've been looking into pumps but am pretty concerned about aeration, messes, and cleaning more equipment. "scissor lift table" looks kinda cool...i'll run some searches for those. it would be nice to get something rather flat, so i can just roll a carboy on it. we'll see how affordable they are...that's another issue.

mr x · 01-03-2008, 10:53 PM

What about using air or c02 for transfers. No lifting required for that. Use 6.5 gallon carboys instead of buckets.

SuperiorBrew · 01-03-2008, 11:07 PM

Have a Northern Tool

Northern Industrial Hydraulic Table Cart – 500-Lb. Capacity, Diamondplate Steel Top
Only $99.99
This Northern Industrial 500-lb. capacity hydraulic table cart enables user to lift or lower heavy cargo easily for loading or unloading, using foot pedals. Features durable diamondplate steel table and smooth-rolling casters.
Lift range is 10 1/2in. to 28in.
Foot pedals for lifting and lowering
Nonskid diamondplate steel table is 28in.L x 17 3/8in.W
Safety locking pins secure load at desired height
Rolls on 5in. polyurethane casters
2 locking casters
Some assembly required

Germey · 01-03-2008, 11:16 PM

Gotta love HarborFreight for stuff like this.
Transmission Jack/ Scissor lift - $60
or, if your apt is unusually spacious you could use an engine crane.

Edit, that one from Northern Tool looks way worth the extra $40.

Dr Vorlauf · 01-03-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperiorBrew

Have a Northern Tool

Northern Industrial Hydraulic Table Cart – 500-Lb. Capacity, Diamondplate Steel Top
Only $99.99
This Northern Industrial 500-lb. capacity hydraulic table cart enables user to lift or lower heavy cargo easily for loading or unloading, using foot pedals. Features durable diamondplate steel table and smooth-rolling casters.
/IMG]

Damn this forum. I never knew how much I needed one of these. Ignorance is bliss.

**CodeRage** · 01-03-2008, 11:49 PM

Could you build a simple 2x4 frame with a pulley block? It would be fairly light, could even put casters on the bottom. Use it to lift what ever and then you can just swing it to where ever you need it.