| Project by Jagerheister | posted 06-18-2015 12:12 PM | 2814 views | 1 time favorited | 12 comments |  |
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This is a set of ramps that I built last weekend so that I could remove an 800# welder from my pickup truck. This ramp interfaces with the open tail gate of my truck and provides a flat surface so that heavy objects can be safely rolled down to the ground. In this case the ramp was used in concert with a come-along to slowly let the welder down in a safe and controlled speed.
It’s fabricated from construction grade plywood, 2×4’s and deck screws. It also uses a tail gate bracket made by “Ramparts” that I purchased at home depot. It’s very heavy duty, and I would feel comfortable using a ramp from this design to lower an jointer, bandsaw, table saw, compressor, or other heavy machines.
Having to figure out a way to unload heavy objects has been a common theme since I got into wood working. I’ve read many posts about people creating contraptions to lift or roll things into their shop. I also plan on stashing this ramp behind my shop, and using it to load and unload my lawn tractor…
It’s noteworthy to add that my pick up is a F-250, and is higher than a standard half ton truck. An off the shelf metallic ramp long enough to comfortably lower something heavy to the ground will cost more than $250.00.
This project took a few hrs to build in my drive way, and cost about $100 to build.
I provided a Video walk through of the design, and talk about some of the considerations that went into the design an the build:
Also, I show the ramp being used to lower an old school Lincoln welder that weights over 800#’s.
Please feel free to tell me what you think about this project, and provide any comments that you may have on building this type of construction.
Please don’t forget to like the video and be sure to subscribe to my channel. I’m in the process of uploading all of my project and tool reviews, and I should have some good content coming out soon..
Thanks
12 comments so far
kimosawboy
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164 posts in 2608 days
#1 posted 06-18-2015 02:04 PM
You might want to check into the tailgate weight capacity for your truck. For pickups like yours there were some years that they were rated at 200-300lbs or something wimpy like that.
Just a heads up!
G Vavra
Mainiac Matt
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6693 posts in 1966 days
#2 posted 06-18-2015 02:12 PM
We design ramps for rolling products onto and off of crates, for use when equipment is shipped to facilities with not handling equipment or docs.
Safety concerns always abound, as you can pick up some serious momentum rolling heavy weights down ramps…. especially if your the lucky guy at the bottom of the ramp.
Be careful out there.
-- Pine is fine, but Oak's no joke!
Jagerheister
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33 posts in 761 days
#3 posted 06-18-2015 02:40 PM
@Kimosaw boy
Good point! The weight capacity of the tailgate should be considered.. This ramp will sit on the tail gate, or the bed of the truck…
Jagerheister
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#4 posted 06-18-2015 02:41 PM
@ Mainiac Matt
I used a come-along to let the welder down easy for this very reason… good comment.
Check out the video!
Desert_Woodworker
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621 posts in 852 days
#5 posted 06-18-2015 06:00 PM
I agree with you K. It could be a costly mistake.
Would support braces under the ramp help keep the weight off the tailgate?
-- Desert_Woodworker
Cabman334
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#6 posted 06-18-2015 08:44 PM
Thankfully, your truck looks newer than mine was when I was rolling a garden tractor off the tailgate in a similar manner. Apparently the cables were rusty where they intersected with the mounting loops. One cable snapped and the tailgate tipped to the broken side, bent as it folded over the step bumper and the mower rolled off the side. It never occurred to me that the weak point in my plan was the cables.
Jagerheister
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#7 posted 06-18-2015 10:15 PM
So, your point that cable failure is a potential concern is noted… Please don’t try to load a 14K# forklift into the bed of a truck using the tail gate as your entry ramp… Your going to have a bad day…
With that said, I think that we may be understating the capability of these cables a bit by assigning a max capacity at 300lbs… Unless you have major damage or drive a Toyota you should not be seeing failures under a 300# tailgate load… Just saying..
Thanks for the comment.
Jagerheister
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33 posts in 761 days
#8 posted 06-18-2015 10:26 PM
I’m just surprised that no one commented when I hit my head at 01:35… lol!
Desert_Woodworker
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#9 posted 06-18-2015 10:58 PM
J- we need blood! I am glad it worked for you:) I commented because the guys who load my truck, when I pick up sheet goods, place a 2x at the end of the bed before the tail gate ( 6-8 sheets per load) They told me it is to keep the load from the tail gate. These guys load all day long…
ps this way the load stays on the bed and tilts it towards the cab..
-- Desert_Woodworker
Jagerheister
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#10 posted 06-18-2015 11:33 PM
I agree… Good comment.
Thanks
Desert_Woodworker
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#11 posted 06-19-2015 02:11 AM
As I say Goodevening- I see that you made #6 The reason I say this; I hope more people, who don’t know, can pick up a tid-bit of knowledge on “How to load or unload, from a pick-up truck” and as Clippenger says Share the Love Share the Knowledge
-- Desert_Woodworker
DonB
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#12 posted 06-19-2015 11:01 AM
This is why I enjoy LJ so much. Look at all the great comments reminding us to be safe and how to accomplish the task. As much as I’d note the weight limit of the tailgate, I’d totally miss the cables or their condition.. Placing the 2x at the end is a great way to place limits on disasters.
-- DonB
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