February 1Feb 1 hang a hoist or pulley to a truss roof shed to lift weights Hi, a friend of mine would like to create a lifting point on the truss of his shed to lift weights of 500-600 kg maximum. I told him if you don't know the capacity you risk causing the roof to collapse. How do I determine the capacity of the truss? How should a truss be built and structured to lift weights with a hoist? Thanks. Hanging a Chain Hoist from Truss? Thoughts???
February 1Feb 1 Back in the day we used to just throw a couple 2x4's across the rafters and pull engines. If the building is the one in the second pic, if i were him i would invest in a gantry crane.
February 2Feb 2 If those were trusses were like the one shown below, with engineered gusset plates and web members, I'd put a 4"x4" or a 4" x 6" beam across several of the lower chords to distribute the weight, and I'd pull a big V-8 engine without hesitation. I actually used a large branch from a magnolia tree and a chain hoist to pull a Ford inline 6 engine out of a F-100. I was the quintessential shape tree mechanic. I wouldn't trust those rafters without a lot more bracing.
February 2Feb 2 This tech eavesdropping is getting out of hand. I posted something here about the Ford inline 6 engine, and now YouTube is putting Ford I-6 engine videos in my feed. It happened within a few minutes. This is why I use a VPN, which was off at the time. I swear it can read your thoughts.
February 3Feb 3 Pull an engine using a tree branch, been there done that too. Those old straight 6 Fords were about bullet proof, loved those engine. If space and ceiling height is a problem an engine hoist maybe the way to go. They will fold up and store next to a wall with just a small foot print. The rafters in my garage look like the ones Socks posted. 2 stacked 2x4's, effectively a 4x4, is what we used. Span 4 rafters, the bottom cords, and i know will hold a 454 Chevy.
February 5Feb 5 That board across the rafters for the garage door is how we would pull engines. However, here were i live we use more rafters, i think in a garage they are set at 24" on center, so in that span of the garage door there would be at least 4 if not 6 rafters. Going by an 8' garage door that is.
February 6Feb 6 Spread out the weight is the big thing, and make sure the board you're attaching the hoist to is thick enough not to snap. I've done it with a 4x4 or 4x6 across the rafters. It's also pretty easy to build a small frame to hang your hoist on out of 4x4s and maybe one 4x6 for the main beam.
February 9Feb 9 Angiolino, the picture above makes me a little nervous. It’s no stronger than the bolts in the masonry. If I were to build this, I would chisel out the masonry and inset the beam in the wall in addition to the angle and bolts. I bought a 3ton gantry crane. It was a lower cost that I initially expected and I’ve been able to move it around my forge/shop for many different uses. While it may not have paid for itself directly, it’s allowed me to work much more safely. (If I’ve avoided an accident, it’s paid for itself many times over!) I understand you may have financial restraints though. Keep it SAFE (and fun)! David
February 10Feb 10 Unless it's through-bolted. What's the force required to shear just one 1/2" grade 2 bolt? Approximately 8500 lbs. Should be good for lifting a 600 kg mass.
February 14Feb 14 Author On 2/9/2026 at 10:20 PM, Goods said: Angiolino, the picture above makes me a little nervous. It’s no stronger than the bolts in the masonry. If I were to build this, I would chisel out the masonry and inset the beam in the wall in addition to the angle and bolts. I bought a 3ton gantry crane. It was a lower cost that I initially expected and I’ve been able to move it around my forge/shop for many different uses. While it may not have paid for itself directly, it’s allowed me to work much more safely. (If I’ve avoided an accident, it’s paid for itself many times over!) I understand you may have financial restraints though. Keep it SAFE (and fun)! David Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I have no knowledge of physics and engineering, only experience and empirical unfortunately. some photos and details
February 15Feb 15 I have to assume that is bolted through something more than just that thin sheet metal ceiling, yes? That begs the question, what is it bolted through? If a steel I-beam, i would think you are good with that. If just a 2x4" wooden rafter... well i would not trust it with more than a couple hundred pounds. About my own body weight.
February 16Feb 16 One thing to remember about using a pulley in this application, the attachment point must carry the load of the object being lifted and the downward pull to lift it. This doubles the load with a single pulley, not as significant if using a block and tackle… Keep it fun, David
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