View Full Version : Need ideas... hanging a car in the air.
mcantar18c
10-07-2014, 17:58
So long story short, I've been given the task of hanging a Honda Civic (sedan I think, maybe around 2000 or so) from a warehouse ceiling (large I-beams roughly 10m apart, will get exact dimensions tomorrow). The only requirements are that I can't damage the car, the warehouse, or myself.
We have spansets and steelflex, steel cable, shackles, pear rings, turnbuckles, .5 ton, 1 ton, and 2 ton chain motors, beam clamps, and other related items, plus a couple skilled fabricators and scrap aluminum on site.
Thoughts?
So long story short, I've been given the task of hanging a Honda Civic (sedan I think, maybe around 2000 or so) from a warehouse ceiling (large I-beams roughly 10m apart, will get exact dimensions tomorrow). The only requirements are that I can't damage the car, the warehouse, or myself.
We have spansets and steelflex, steel cable, shackles, pear rings, turnbuckles, .5 ton, 1 ton, and 2 ton chain motors, beam clamps, and other related items, plus a couple skilled fabricators and scrap aluminum on site.
Thoughts?
You making a Looney Tunes trap or something?
[Coffee]
Engine still in it or just the husk? Sounds like you got some stuff to try, try until you get it right. Dont stand underneath it.
Trout Hunter
10-07-2014, 18:19
Without going into depth of the y nots and all the checks to do prior to doing it simply put .....dont do it unless you know how to calculate loading and how to transfer the loads through a structure to make sure things are sized correctly. Just my 2 pennies.
My thought is that this is a piss-poor idea. Sounds like a prank being pulled on someone, and it won't end well. If somebody else is hellbound and determined to see this done, let THEM do it! Don't let yourself get dragged into it. Even if there's a legit reason for it, I'd back away and say "uh-uh, not me. Y'all go right ahead, I'll hold your beers."
I'd redneck it up there with some tow straps, some duct tape, maybe a couple chains and some bailing twine.
mcantar18c
10-07-2014, 18:31
We hang thousands of pounds in the air over people's heads for a living (last major job we did was around 19,000lbs)... The safety factor will be there, loads will be calculated and everything. We just aren't sure how to attach to the car without damaging it.
This is a compete car, with fluids. It's actually my boss's car. The tasking comes from my boss's boss.
BPTactical
10-07-2014, 18:37
Sounds like your employer is looking for a cocksure way to RIF some employees....
Personally I would build a platform and hoist the platform, then no mods have to be done to the car
We hang thousands of pounds in the air over people's heads for a living (last major job we did was around 19,000lbs)... The safety factor will be there, loads will be calculated and everything. We just aren't sure how to attach to the car without damaging it.
This is a compete car, with fluids. It's actually my boss's car. The tasking comes from my boss's boss.
This sounded like a work project but now sounds like a prank with serious potential to go wrong.........................................
A HONDA civic is uni-body, any wrong amount of stress and it will be out of whack causing long term damage to other components. Remember your XJ and cutting out the rear wheel wells?
I agree with others, it may be a little overboard. When thinking up of pranks I always had a saying; "Never mess with another man's ride ." Totally off limits.
HoneyBadger
10-07-2014, 18:46
Personally I would build a platform and hoist the platform, then no mods have to be done to the car
I think this is the best approach.
Trout Hunter
10-07-2014, 19:23
Personally I would build a platform and hoist the platform, then no mods have to be done to the car
If youre hell bent on it which i still think its a piss poor idea from your pick point. This is your best bet to avoid damage. You want it flat so fluids dont go to where they shouldnt be. Uni bodies dont have a good single hook onto point like framed vehicles do. Still think its a dumb idea and im around stuff getting flown every day for work with cranes.
Platform is the best idea. If not that, then maybe you could machine a plate that fits over the hubs so the weight of the car is still in the suspension like it should be.
Couple of these should do the trick. They have em for free at Harbor Freight with coupon in the mail.
50621
But anyways... platform with U bolts around the axles holding it down. Calculate what the roof can hold with how many hanging points, blah blah math....bunch of come alongs there ya go.
My main concern is the building you said warehouse are roof trusses rated for the extra load of a car my guess is not. If your job is to hang things over peoples heads let us some logical and pick the darn car up with car up some kind of platform and a crane or a big fork lift and not run the risk of damaging the car or the building in the name of stupidity or a prank.
I'm hoping that a structural engineer has been consulted in regards to the structure of the building..
sent from a soup can and some string..
A. Bad idea.
B. The platform might be the best idea if you insist on ignoring "A".
C. Whatever happened to the days where a group of guys would just pick up a car like this and set it on a picnic table?
I say place it on a forklift, then that on another forklift, and so on.
I'm hoping that a structural engineer has been consulted in regards to the structure of the building..
That brings up another question; Is the building leased or owned by the boss asking you to do this?
I say place it on a forklift, then that on another forklift, and so on.
And start with this:
50623
That brings up another question; Is the building leased or owned by the boss asking you to do this?
Yeah, if I was the owner of a building and my tenat decided to do this... I would be a little pissed.
On the other hand I don't think insurance would cover catastrophic roof failures due to miscalculations in things that a roof is not designed to do.
C. Whatever happened to the days where a group of guys would just pick up a car like this and set it on a picnic table?
Cars got bigger and heavier
http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-sedan/specifications.aspx
A base model 2015 Civic weighs 2800lbs. A thousand pounds heavier than, say, a Geo Metro from 20 years ago.
Is Wyle E. Coyote the boss's boss? Any boxes lying around with 'ACME' written on the side?
[Bunny]
On the other hand I don't think insurance would cover catastrophic roof failures due to miscalculations in things that a roof is not designed to do.
They might. But probably not.
They might. But probably not.
I guarantee you that the insurance Co would at least spend a lot of money on lawyers fighting against a coverage payout in this case.
Platform, or some of the straps used to secure care tires down on a flat bed. Those on each tire with a square tube above the car, and chains at 4 corners meeting in the middle for a single hoist point. Then the weight is distributed, no damage to the car, stability in the air, and all weight is supported on the suspension and the hoist/truss points.
mcantar18c
10-07-2014, 20:10
The building IS owned by the guy that wants this done. He actually pointed out the area he wants it hung. I'm not gonna argue the fact that this may be a dumb idea... however I didn't think of it and I hold no responsibility for any damages that may come from his miscalculations, I just get to laugh at it. We have hung similar weight from these beams without issues, but I'll still be way clear of area when it goes up.
Obviously the goal is to keep the car level. I'm thinking a platform is the safest way, really like the idea of using u-bolts.
The building IS owned by the guy that wants this done. He actually pointed out the area he wants it hung. I'm not gonna argue the fact that this may be a dumb idea... however I didn't think of it and I hold no responsibility for any damages that may come from his miscalculations, I just get to laugh at it. We have hung similar weight from these beams without issues, but I'll still be way clear of area when it goes up.
Obviously the goal is to keep the car level. I'm thinking a platform is the safest way, really like the idea of using u-bolts.
You should probably post pictures after all is said and done. :-)
Probably don't need a platform, just a metal square large enough to line up with the wheels, rigging, and axle. Kinda like cutting away a rectangle out of the middle of the platform. u bolt it down. that way you can see the undercarriage too for cool factor.
Well you already thought of much of the situation and feel confident.
I dont know though, messing with a man's ride................
clublights
10-07-2014, 20:23
Basket wrap the tires with sling sets lift at 4 points . go with the 2 tons just to be safe . maybe safety rig 2 more points on the tow hooks
otherwise platform lift.
Not the first car I've flown .. but the first one full of fluids that had to stay level .
clublights
10-07-2014, 20:25
Platform, or some of the straps used to secure care tires down on a flat bed. Those on each tire with a square tube above the car, and chains at 4 corners meeting in the middle for a single hoist point. Then the weight is distributed, no damage to the car, stability in the air, and all weight is supported on the suspension and the hoist/truss points.
yeah maybe those tire things he is talking about.. but what are they rated at ? also I'd in no way do a single point .. At least two.
wait thinking about this and my last post that might put side load on the wheel hubs they were never intended to handle... think of hubs shaping off sideways ....
tho I've got an idea for the platform I'll draw up in a second.
Stevensje
10-07-2014, 20:28
Hang it upside down! Now that would be awesome.
I guarantee you that the insurance Co would at least spend a lot of money on lawyers fighting against a coverage payout in this case.
Insurance doesn't hire lawyers, they just deny the claim. I changed my mind though, I don't think that would be covered. Maybe though.
2 years ago at Easter Jeep Safari, Mac's Tie Downs hung his jeep from a crane, vertically. It was mounted on a small trailer. Pretty cool and generated a huge amount of press and business for them. There are still pics on their website, I might have more stashed somewhere too...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkqxZFNOkWQ
clublights
10-07-2014, 20:45
Make a platform like this ...
50627
Or ..... if you have heavy duty truss sticks ....
two sticks one under the front BEHIND the tires ( where the jack points are ) in in back in front o the tires ( again at the jack points...) .. truck strap it to keep em from sliding .. lift away ....
DD977GM2
10-07-2014, 21:01
Get 4 of THESE (http://www.grainger.com/product/LIFT-ALL-Roundsling-38Z323?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP) with shackles to go with the load. I know its overkill by a lot but fucking people do some stupid ass things. Get 1" thick by 6" wide and the width of the car by one foot more on each side. Cut holes on the steel to correspond with the frame holes OR create 1" holes in the frame of the car to accept ONLY GRADE 8 bolts that are 3/4" and however long. Then cut or drill holes in the ends of the steel to accommodate the shackles. Hang accordingly. May need a total of 12 shackles for attaching to the I beams in the ceiling.
StagLefty
10-07-2014, 21:01
Call in Red Green I believe he does consultant work [ROFL3]
HoneyBadger
10-07-2014, 21:11
Get 4 of THESE (http://www.grainger.com/product/LIFT-ALL-Roundsling-38Z323?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP) with shackles to go with the load. I know its overkill by a lot but fucking people do some stupid ass things. Get 1" thick by 6" wide and the width of the car by one foot more on each side. Cut holes on the steel to correspond with the frame holes OR create 1" holes in the frame of the car to accept ONLY GRADE 8 bolts that are 3/4" and however long. Then cut or drill holes in the ends of the steel to accommodate the shackles. Hang accordingly. May need a total of 12 shackles for attaching to the I beams in the ceiling.
LOL! this just turned into a $2k project!
It could probably be safely lifted by a couple of beams that bear against the subframe. You could then use a single point x-sling(think 5K working load) that ran to the ends of the beams. Use spreaders above the roof line to keep the slings from rubbing on the car.
That being said, your boss' boss should probably be encouraged to reconsider this stunt.
clublights
10-07-2014, 21:17
Get 4 of THESE (http://www.grainger.com/product/LIFT-ALL-Roundsling-38Z323?functionCode=P2IDP2PCP) with shackles to go with the load. I know its overkill by a lot but fucking people do some stupid ass things. Get 1" thick by 6" wide and the width of the car by one foot more on each side. Cut holes on the steel to correspond with the frame holes OR create 1" holes in the frame of the car to accept ONLY GRADE 8 bolts that are 3/4" and however long. Then cut or drill holes in the ends of the steel to accommodate the shackles. Hang accordingly. May need a total of 12 shackles for attaching to the I beams in the ceiling.
LOL! this just turned into a $2k project!
He's already got those...tho doubtful he has 18' long ones... probably has a selection of 3'-6' footers.
DD977GM2
10-07-2014, 21:22
He's already got those...tho doubtful he has 18' long ones... probably has a selection of 3'-6' footers.
I didnt read all of it......just threw open my sewer and it just came out HAHAHA [LOL]
Stevensje
10-07-2014, 21:28
Seriously, over engineering is making this quite complex. Roll the windows down, throw some tow straps, and rig it up!
clublights
10-07-2014, 21:34
Seriously, over engineering is making this quite complex. Roll the windows down, throw some tow straps, and rig it up!
This would probably work and the car would probably be fine.....
then again it could tweak the roof and the doors will either never open again .. or never close right again ...
If the car was going to the junk yard after I'd do this and call it a day ... but seeing as NOT breaking the car was in the original specs.. I'd not risk it.
DD977GM2
10-07-2014, 21:38
Seriously, over engineering is making this quite complex. Roll the windows down, throw some tow straps, and rig it up!
Weld the chains to the roof and lift that f****** up!!!!
Make a platform like this ...
50627
Or ..... if you have heavy duty truss sticks ....
two sticks one under the front BEHIND the tires ( where the jack points are ) in in back in front o the tires ( again at the jack points...) .. truck strap it to keep em from sliding .. lift away ....
This
hghclsswhitetrsh
10-07-2014, 23:06
Being a former iron worker and precast concrete erector I can give you this piece of advice only. Never saddle a dead horse.
Being a former iron worker and precast concrete erector I can give you this piece of advice only. Never saddle a dead horse.
But...they are fun to ride before they become all sticky.
not sure what type of building it is or what its used for- but having the car full of fluid, especially gas, seems like its extra risk for no gain. and make sure it does not leak! haha
Snowman78
10-08-2014, 11:16
They might. But probably not.
Exclusions:
an intentional act
Exclusions:
an intentional act
If you set-up a 1,000 gallon salt water tank in your living room, that is intentional. When it collapses your floor and lands in your basement, that isn't intentional.
RCCrawler
10-08-2014, 11:26
Don't forget to set the parking brake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6KISYDSO88
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