Pulling a engine with a A-frame

[sheboyganjohn]

Getting ready to start building an A-frame to pull the motors out of my Sea Ray. For those of you that have pulled motors, how much space did you need below the top beam on the A-frame to the bottom of the engine? I know how high I need to get the engine to clear the transom, I just don't know the amount of space a chain fall and motor will take up. I found some 12' 4x4 on the cull cart at HD that I picked up, and I need about 5' to clear the transom, so I hope another 5' will be enough for the engine and chain fall. Anyone with experience that can shed some light. If it makes a differance, they are 3.0 GM's.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Pulled my inboard twice now...used 10' with one of the HF chain hoists and a short chain..had plenty of room...

 

[HiltonFerg]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Cost me about $130 in materials.









Gonna be one hell of a swing set when I'm done!

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Thanks for the input. I lucked out, got the four 12' 4x4 and four 10' 2x10's all green treated for $28 (70% off) For what I am doing a little bow or twist is not going to hurt anything.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Just looked through your build Trooper82 and found your lift frame, I think I will build it that way.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Unless you will have a use for all the lumber and the hoist and all the other materials you'll be using, I'd recommend you contact a Wrecker company and see if you could hire them to come pull your motor and set it on your stand. I'd almost bet for the price of a service call you could get it done for a lot cheaper than what you'll have tied up in the cost for lumber and a hoist. if you already have a hoist, chains and lumber then go for it. Just food for thought.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Just looked through your build Trooper82 and found your lift frame, I think I will build it that way.

I made two versions...the forst was very simple...and only a 4x4 across the top...it was pretty weak..the second version towards the end of the thread was much stronger...gl and take some pics so we can see how it goes...

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Found your second one. My plan is to make two verticals of 4x4, a double 2x10 across the top, same general design as your second one.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Unless you will have a use for all the lumber and the hoist and all the other materials you'll be using, I'd recommend you contact a Wrecker company and see if you could hire them to come pull your motor and set it on your stand. I'd almost bet for the price of a service call you could get it done for a lot cheaper than what you'll have tied up in the cost for lumber and a hoist. if you already have a hoist, chains and lumber then go for it. Just food for thought.

I would have rented a wrecker, but I have two engines to pull, plus I got the wood for a song. I will most likely weld up some backets to hold it together, so the only real thing I will need to buy are the bolts and a chain fall.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Great, then it totally makes sense to build the Frame! Just wanted to make you aware of that option. Lots of people know people who know people in the business and can get a Good Deal on getting it pulled that way. Post some pics of your frame so we can all learn from it.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

I will definitely post up when I start building.

I have started drawing up a plan. I am doing two 4x4 uprights on each side, so it will be a 4x8. I will notch the top inside of each 4x4 to accept a 2x10. This will give me a double 2x10 across the top. A couple of inside diagonal cross braces from the cross beam to the uprights. A 2x10 across the bottom on edge on the ground on each upright with a diagonal on each side of each upright to the 2x10 on the ground, looking in general design like the one Tropper82 built for his 2nd pull. I should be able to lift the whole boat with it if needed. A 4 cylinder GM should be no problem for this set-up.

On a related note, picked up a 1 ton chain fall hoist from HF today. On sale for 49.00 with a 20% off coupon on top of that, cannot beat the price. By the time I buy the bolts to hold it all together I should be in it for under $75.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Finally built it today. With the wood, bolts, and hoist I am around $100.

Here is the whole thing up and together. Was still putting a few more bolts into it.




Side view, you can see the wood is from the cull pile, but it will hold for what I am doing to it.



View of the top corner, I am letting the wood carry the load and using the bolts just to hold it together.

 

[Trooper82]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

That came out great!...and should hold just fine, good job!

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

Pulled both engines today. Worked like a charm. I will have pictures posted in my Sea Ray project soon (link in my signature).

 

[73Chrysler105]

Re: Pulling a engine with a A-frame

If you put a 4x4 or 2-2x10's for the bases you could get some 10" wheels from HF for 3.69 each with the coupon and it would be able to be moved.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Since I am updating the pictures decided to add one more of it in use.