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Since the complete mounting is now so heavy I spent some time researching cranes, lifts and hoists. A cheap boat winch was attractive on price but a foolish idea for lifting such heavy loads. Let the handle go and it whizzes backwards and is very likely to cause an injury. While the much safer auto-braked, boat/trailer winch cost at least 6 times as a much and are probably still made cheaply in China. £200+ or $260+ is a very expensive toy for most of its life going completely unused! Another problem was the need for a minimum load on the winch. A winch also has to be held down somehow and anchors do not grow on trees..
It has
already occurred to me to use a normal boat winch to move the present
MkIV pier slowly and much more safely across the garden. Pulling it low
down would avoid some of the tipping action of manual pier movement. I'm
far too old to level the entire area where I observe as it would need
lorry loads of gravel and sand to remove the slope and compaction. Plus
lots of concrete slabs just to make it any more useful than it already isn't. Ratchet lifts and hydraulic [vehicle engine] cranes have their uses but not for the considerable lift I needed. More importantly I needed one which could be moved at random all around the garden. Finally, I decided to order a cheap, 1 ton capacity, chain hoist with 3m [10'] lift height. This will provide the clear lift I need to place the [very likely] 200+lb mounting on top of what is likely to be rather a tall pier. If I ever get that far!
I shall have to provide a solid tripod or pyramidal support stand for the hoist. A four sided pyramid of 2x4s or even 3x4s [50x100 or 75x100mm] ] sounds like the most practical and sensible base for out of doors. The legs can be easily stored in loose lengths up in the shed roof out of the way. I can even hang the hoist from the ceiling joists to lift the heavy, bulky and very awkward mounting onto the bench to work on it inside the shed. Reviews of some of these chain hoists suggest some examples leave the Chinese factory full of casting sand and swarf. This sounds just like my cheapo pillar drill. I had to buy new bearings for it from brand new because of the filth and instant damage hidden out of sight. Others have been rather more lucky and they really like their chain hoists. Recognizing one "maker" from another only adds to the confusion over which to purchase.
The Sheppach 1Ton CB01 chain hoist arrived the next day. Though made in China the quality seems fine. It worked right out of the box after I put a multiple loop of rope over one of the shed's [triangular reinforced] ceiling joists. Lifting the entire mount was completely effortless if rather noisy and quite slow over longer lifts. The noise was exacerbated by the shed's entirely wooden construction and plywood floor. The control over the height of the hook [or rather the load] is excellent. I was able to thread the PA axis shaft down through the wormwheel and flange bearings without any problem as I lowered the declination and PA shaft into the PA housing resting on the floor. Having decades of experience with indoor, electric, workshop cranes running on overhead beams I rather like the simplicity of the chain hoist for home use.
I think I shall look out for some short webbing slings. They are far more convenient than multiple loops of rope for securing loads safely for lifting. A pair of work gloves is also a good idea as handling the chain quickly makes ones hands rather grubby. I ran the chain through a rag but it didn't help all that much with all the nooks and crannies of the chain links. One wouldn't want to wear one's best clothing while operating the hoist. At least the chains are plated rather than bare steel with all the long term problems of rust and staining hands and clothes that involves. Protective [c]overalls and industrial safety shoes/boots are the obvious choice when lifting and working with such heavy loads anyway.
Click on any image for an enlargement.
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