I was thinking about making a hanging 3 tier system using pulleys. The thought is I can hang 5 gallon coolers from my garage rafters using pulleys and have my kettle/burner on the floor. It would offer an infinitely adjustable system without lifting 180 degree water over my head. What do you think?
3 tier system using pulleys
- Thread starter Tony3696
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I've thought of doing this but I would want the "shelf" to slide on a frame of some sort to keep it steady. I'd also want ratcheting lock mechanisms in case of pulley/cable/rope failure so I don't drop anything to the floor. I say go for it, so I can steal it. 
In the end, it would probably be cheaper to buy a pump.
I was thinking of using a come-a-long type ratcheting crank, or mabye the boat winch from a trailer. Then I could have the safety-locking I was looking for. Those boat winches are cheap. Only need to hoist the HLT in my case, as the MLT is table level and the BK is down on a burner stand.
CidahMastah
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The thing is to ease the load of the lift you would need some pretty big pulleys. There is also some danger involved in the pulley setup vs. a pump. I think you are better off with a pump.
conpewter
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I've thought about the same thing. I dislike having a pump as I can't see that it is clean inside (without taking it apart). I also find that draining the mash tun with the pump gets me a stuck sparge, when I just gravity drain it I don't get that.
There's no reason to see inside a pump or to take it apart to clean it. I had 20 batches on my march pump before I ever thought to open it up. It looked factory new just from running hot water through it after each brew.
I certainly wouldn't want to be hoisting a container of 180F water over my head.
I certainly wouldn't want to be hoisting a container of 180F water over my head.
gunner65
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Bobby_M said:
Agreed boiling water running through my system leaves the pump spotless. In fact that's all that I use to clean my system.
WIPbrewery
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peristaltic pumps for the win...albeit not as cost effective as a march pump, but you would have no fear at all being able to see inside the tubing.
jpietraski
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Harbor Freight has a "General Purpose Hoist" that I use to lift a full, hot keggle.
Under $10, rated for 500lb. Sounds kinda shady, but hey, it works.
http://www.harborfreight.com/general-purpose-rope-hoist-45076.html
Under $10, rated for 500lb. Sounds kinda shady, but hey, it works.
http://www.harborfreight.com/general-purpose-rope-hoist-45076.html
CidahMastah
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+1 after 8 batches I had the same experience. Clean as a whistle - but I cycle hot water through it from the hlt at the end.
never has a stuck sparge from pumping from the MT either
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