Bill Strahan
Member
Okay, color me a bit crazy, but I'm curious what others think of this idea. I've looked at lift-a-plane and similar, and it seems massive overkill for what I need. My 2 seater composite weighs just barely 1000 pounds with full fuel in the tanks, and nothing else in it. I need to lift it 2 feet for the wings to be high enough that I could get my Grumman AA5 in the hanger as well.
So, I looked at this: Vestil Manual Scissor Cart — 1000-lb. Capacity, 48in.L x 24in.W Platform, Model# CART-24-10-M | Hydraulic Lift Tables Carts| Northern Tool + Equipment
Here's my thoughts: Weld on some outriggers so the side to side stability is higher. Build a wooden/foam platform that fits on the cart and mates up to the bottom of my fuselage perfectly. Remove the handle so I can slide that cart/platform under the plane, and jack it up about 2.5 feet. That's about 3 inches less than max travel.
With the outriggers, there should be no tipping concerns as long as no one tries to climb into my plane. I would also drill some holes in the frame for some 1/4" safety pins so I could pin it in place once it was elevated. I'd do that before putting another plane underneath.
A second benefit would be having the plane elevated like this would make any work I do to wheels/brakes/wheelpants/lower part of the cowling/engine MUCH easier.
Thoughts?
Bill
So, I looked at this: Vestil Manual Scissor Cart — 1000-lb. Capacity, 48in.L x 24in.W Platform, Model# CART-24-10-M | Hydraulic Lift Tables Carts| Northern Tool + Equipment
Here's my thoughts: Weld on some outriggers so the side to side stability is higher. Build a wooden/foam platform that fits on the cart and mates up to the bottom of my fuselage perfectly. Remove the handle so I can slide that cart/platform under the plane, and jack it up about 2.5 feet. That's about 3 inches less than max travel.
With the outriggers, there should be no tipping concerns as long as no one tries to climb into my plane. I would also drill some holes in the frame for some 1/4" safety pins so I could pin it in place once it was elevated. I'd do that before putting another plane underneath.
A second benefit would be having the plane elevated like this would make any work I do to wheels/brakes/wheelpants/lower part of the cowling/engine MUCH easier.
Thoughts?
Bill