Hoist

You know you are getting old when you decide to buy an electric hoist instead of testing the limits of the back.  I need to tilt my snow blower so I can remove the access plate to the hexagon drive shaft to grease.  It needs to be done a couple of times a year to prevent the shift lever from seizing.  The repair shop charges $106 to do it.  Cost of the hoist (880 lb lift) with the strut channel track and hardware plus 2-3 ft lifting straps was $220 so not expensive.  The hoist will help with other repairs on the zero turn mower and when lifting something heavy out of the truck. 

KUMGROT Channel Trolley Track Hanger

I liked it used two bolts to attach to wood beam for a hoist (800#).  Required changing hanger design from 1.92" channel to my 1 5/8" channel but easy to pinch in vise. Simple to install with #14 3.5" construction screws plus washers and 12" spacing.  Disappointed maximum load data was not provided and size not standard for strut channel but seems sturdy and holding the strut channel after modification.  The KUMGROT 2pcs Channel Trolley Track Hanger met my standards and needs.

Vevor Electric Hoist, 880lb

A Vevor Electric Hoist, 800lb was installed to help maintain equipment.  The unit was hung on a 6x8" wood support beam using a Strut Channel Trolley track (1 5/8" x 10').   I used the Vevor hoist to lift itself to Strut Channel Trolley then turned hoist right side up to push 4 Wheel T Trolley Assembly Stable Rollers into channel.  I needed to unroll hoist cable to get last set of rollers on channel.  It worked like a charm without lifting hoist to channel.  Work smarter not harder.  Covered hoist with bird seed bag to provide extra protection from weather.  No dislikes. Quality of hoist better than expected and the price was right.

In 2023, used to lift the sickle bar mower to access engine mount bolts.  Found hoist a little jerky but did the job.  Added a power strip to the wall and moved extension cord to the strip.  The bird seed bag width was increased to enhance protection from the weather.

In the late fall 2024, the hoist was used to lift the snow blower to access the hexagon drive rod for light greasing.  Worked well.  

In the fall 2024, I used the hoist to lift the front of my Cub Cadet ZTS1 to change the blades.  Hoist worked great, but still jerky.  I guess it is just the nature of the hoist to be jerky.

In the spring of 2025, a friend borrowed a 100 gallon water tank but it needed to be cleaned before they came and got it.  The hoist can in handy draining the chlorinated water out and rinsing.  I also used it when the tank was returned to dry all the water out and slip the tank into its storage spot.

In May 2025, a new Troybult rototiller was purcahsed from my local hardware store.  Two of their employees struggled to load it into the truck but I did not have the muscle power to safely unload.  The hoist was used to unload.  I found the straps that came with the hoist were too long but 1" Polypropylene webbing straps from Northwest River Supply worked perfectly.  The straps have a 500 lbs working weight limit but a 1500 lbs minimum breaking strength.  Well within the limits of the items I expect to lift and my  hoist limits.    

In June 2025, the Cub Cadet needed repaired and to reach the part the hoist was used to lift the back end of the mower so the rear wheel could be removed and mower raised high enough to easily reach the part.  

In August of 2025, I added a piece of polycarbonate sheeting above the hoist to provide additional protection from the weather.   I still use the a seed sack for protection and cover the hoist but the polycarbonate sheet covers a larger area.