Swinging pulley set up.

[ZmannR2]

Issue at hand: I brew 10 gal batch BIABasket and lifting wet grains that when dry was 25 lbs out of the pot is not the issue because I have a pulley. The problem is, unattaching it from the pulley I now have to manuaever that 80 lb beast somewhere away from the pot and set down.

Solution? I am picturing an arm that swivels left and right that mounts on my wall above and right behind my pot (electric set up is against the wall) so I can pull up the basket, then swivel it to the right over by my sink and lower it down.

Anyone know where such a product exists?

 

[Nmnbrewer]

Maybe keep an eye out for a cart or table on wheels that you can move away from the wall.

 

[Nmnbrewer]

Or put the pulley on a rail of some sort that has a roller?

 

[Mackster]

Your should look into a short run gantry. It is a small trolley that rolls on a beam or frame. I installed an "I" beam beneath my trusses in my garage. I bought a trolley and chain hoist on amazon. Mine has a 1 ton capacity, way over kill. You can definitely make one much smaller and cheaper though.

http://www.cranesdq.com/d/file/mate...tions/overhead-crane-parts-and-components.jpg

 

[LLBeanJ]

Or you can put your brew stand/burner/BK on wheels and roll it out from under the basket, then lower the basket.

 

[Wortlover]

I picked up one of these, and love it. I mash in a Coleman 70 quart cooler, with a brew bag. $59

 

[lump42]

Your should look into a short run gantry. It is a small trolley that rolls on a beam or frame. I installed an "I" beam beneath my trusses in my garage. I bought a trolley and chain hoist on amazon. Mine has a 1 ton capacity, way over kill. You can definitely make one much smaller and cheaper though.

http://www.cranesdq.com/d/file/mate...tions/overhead-crane-parts-and-components.jpg

Here's a simpler version. You'll just want to be sure it is over built for weight and that it is over engineered to handle the weight safely.

 

[Nmnbrewer]

View attachment IMG_3399.jpg

 

[November]

A gantry would do it but they can get a bit pricey. Maybe an engine hoist? They are on wheels so you would just wheel it where you needed.

https://m.harborfreight.com/1-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-61858.html

 

[ZmannR2]

All excellent suggestions! I use a stainless table that’s mounted to the wall so can do casters

The gantry looks badass but might be a bit pricey for what I’m doing.

I do like the idea of running a pulley on a span that can roll side to side. Might look into that

 

[lump42]

Here's a simpler version. You'll just want to be sure it is over built for weight and that it is over engineered to handle the weight safely.

Sorry forgot the link to the no lift setup Im considering

https://www.brewersfriend.com/2013/07/12/lifting-carboys-and-kegs-with-a-pulley-in-the-brew-shed/

 

[ZmannR2]

Sorry forgot the link to the no lift setup Im considering

https://www.brewersfriend.com/2013/07/12/lifting-carboys-and-kegs-with-a-pulley-in-the-brew-shed/

I like that! Do you think I could get a roller pulley to set over that pipe? Sliding a ring doesn’t seem too smooth

 

[flars]

I like that! Do you think I could get a roller pulley to set over that pipe? Sliding a ring doesn’t seem too smooth

Look up trolley hanger and trolley. You can build straight or curved. Could also extend over a keezer, if you have one, for lifting in and out.

 

[h22lude]

Sorry forgot the link to the no lift setup Im considering

https://www.brewersfriend.com/2013/07/12/lifting-carboys-and-kegs-with-a-pulley-in-the-brew-shed/

Damn that is genius. I can't do that the way my system is currently set up but will absolutely be doing this in the future. Grain bag straight from kettle to sink with no lifting.

 

[Konadog]

They do make a trolley that fits inside of uni-strut that rolls. I just put one up in my garage last weekend (no pictures yet ) Genuine Unistrut P2950-EG 4 Wheel Trolley Assembly I'm doing the same thing, single person lifting of a carboy in and out of a chest freezer.

 

[ZmannR2]

They do make a trolley that fits inside of uni-strut that rolls. I just put one up in my garage last weekend (no pictures yet ) Genuine Unistrut P2950-EG 4 Wheel Trolley Assembly I'm doing the same thing, single person lifting of a carboy in and out of a chest freezer.

That’s it!!! Just went and got me a 10’ piece of unistrut for free! I’ll order that trolley and be set! Thanks!

 

[Konadog]

No problem, made my day when I found it too! You could probably make it swing if you really wanted to get complicated. I use this site G-P LLC to see what's made for unistrut, then try to find it locally.

 

[Mackster]

I just looked at the unistrut idea, Awesome! I have an over kill gantry and the strut idea would have been my choice if I had thought of it :/
Please post pics when it is up!

 

[ZmannR2]

Got the Unistrut up! Placed the order for the trolly. Should be here Saturday. Sorry this was mid-construction so it’s a little messy

edit: tried uploading a movie but it requires you to download the movie I guess.....I'l post some pics next

View attachment CDB4DB67-98EE-4332-B2F4-A68EE096AAD9.MOV

 

[ZmannR2]

Here’s some stills. No trolly yet but I stuck the pulley into the unistrut to show the pic....

edit: They uploaded sideways!! oh well....My entire goal is to move the basket a few feet over, then lower it into my sink

 

[Konadog]

Not sure where you have your bolts holding your unistrut to the ceiling, but they "may" be in the way of the trolley. I ended up with on at each end (removed the middle one) and they help keep the trolley from shooting out of the strut

 

[ZmannR2]

Ya they will be in the way, but I have no bolts in the path that it will be traveling. I will need to take one out in order to install the trolley then I’ll put the bolt back in.

You like how fast I took to that idea? 4 hours after you mentioned it, I put that bad boy up

 

[Konadog]

When you know what you want, it's go time!! I thought I would warn you about the bolts in the way. I think you'll love how easy you can move things once it's done.

I got the idea from someone at work that built a crane out the back of their service van. The guy can put 75Hp motors in and out of his van by himself. He put unistrut between the bins inside the van, then a center rail that he can pull outside 4 feet, just enough to grab the motor.

 

[wilserbrewer]

Looks like you have your ratchet pulley at the ceiling, and the basket is on a hook.

I would suggest free pulley at the ceiling and the ratchet pulley at the basket. This will give you 2-1 advantage and also put the pulley release within reach.

 

[ba-brewer]

Issue at hand: I brew 10 gal batch BIABasket and lifting wet grains that when dry was 25 lbs out of the pot is not the issue because I have a pulley. The problem is, unattaching it from the pulley I now have to manuaever that 80 lb beast somewhere away from the pot and set down.

Solution? I am picturing an arm that swivels left and right that mounts on my wall above and right behind my pot (electric set up is against the wall) so I can pull up the basket, then swivel it to the right over by my sink and lower it down.

Anyone know where such a product exists?

I see you came up with a pretty nice trolley setup, but for your original idea if you mount the swing arm to the left or right of the kettle so the end of the arm is over the top of the kettle you would be able to swing the basket further away from the kettle.

 

[lump42]

I like that! Do you think I could get a roller pulley to set over that pipe? Sliding a ring doesn’t seem too smooth

If nothing else a barn door hanger could probably work.

 

[ZmannR2]

Looks like you have your ratchet pulley at the ceiling, and the basket is on a hook.

I would suggest free pulley at the ceiling and the ratchet pulley at the basket. This will give you 2-1 advantage and also put the pulley release within reach.

I was gonna ask an easier way to utilize a pulley system. I’m having trouble picturing what you mean though. Here’s my pulley, would my hand be the free pulley? Wouldn’t that make you have to pull upward on the rope?

 

[ZmannR2]

Ahhh nevermind. Like this

 

[ZmannR2]

Freaking love creating the perfect set up

 

[Konadog]

OK, here is what the trolley looks like in the unistrut

 

[wilserbrewer]

Ahhh nevermind. Like this

Yes, you got it. A simple pulley up top works well w/ your ratchet pulley at the bag, requires half the pull on the business end of the rope. I did a thread about this, there may be some useful info on rigging etc.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=623808

 

[ZmannR2]

I didn't get that 4-wheeled trolley I got the 2 wheeled one....hopefully its ok?

 

[AkTom]

http://www.cmrp.com/blog/bending/channel-bending/curving-unistrut-or-p1000-channel.html
How about some curves...

 

[ZmannR2]

Now that would be handy if your destination is on a different wall!

 

[Konadog]

I didn't get that 4-wheeled trolley I got the 2 wheeled one....hopefully its ok?

That should be fine, it may roll a little stiffer with only 2 contact points.

I do like those curved ones!

 

[ZmannR2]

That should be fine, it may roll a little stiffer with only 2 contact points.

Yep!!! You were right! Really jerky when weight is applied. Returning it for the 4-wheeled one

 

[NickTheGreat]

I'm going to borrow this Unistrut trolley system for other applications in my house. Love it! :

 

[Konadog]

Yep!!! You were right! Really jerky when weight is applied. Returning it for the 4-wheeled one

Bummer! One thing to think of too is, the closer your load is to the trolley, the smother it rolls. If you have 8 feet of play between the trolley and your load, it snaps as the trolley tries to catch up the the load.

 

[ggriffi]

My system is rather simple. I now use a hoist that came with one of those hunter's gambrels. Sorry @wilserbrewer, somehow I lost the pulley when we moved. Anyway when I am done squeezing the bag I have a small loop of parachute cord that I tie around the bag so that I am as far down on the bag as possible. Then I uncleat the rope and hold on to the bag as I lower the bag into my wheel barrow which is sitting right next to kettle. Easy Peasy

I will say that I only brew 5g batches and my largest grain bill is 23 lbs. So if you brew bigger batches my method probably might not be very practical

https://www.harborfreight.com/gambrel-and-pulley-hoist-99758.html

 

[ZmannR2]

I will say that I only brew 5g batches and my largest grain bill is 23 lbs. So if you brew bigger batches my method probably might not be very practical

You have a 23 lbs grain bill for a 5 gal batch???? Holy crap what is that a barleywine?