Swivel for low headroom hoisting of motor

[frostrobn]

I have a large motor that is to be removed using two monorails (one on each side of the motor). The monorails are of sufficient rating for the load. The problem I have is that the motor must also be rotated 90 degrees to clear piping and structural obstructions before it can be lowered to the floor. This rotation will need to happen before the motor can be lowered at all. With only 18" clearance between the motor and the monorails, I am looking for someone who fabricates some kind of low headroom swivel.

I have an idea of using two heavy plates with a pin through the center. On each corner of plates there would be welded lifting lugs for attaching the hoists and the motor lifting lugs. Seems like I might be reinventing the wheel here.

Anyone got some ideas?

Thanks to all.

 

[RobWard]

Most hoists have a swivel hook on them.
Fabricate a cradle that runs on the two monorails.
Make a cradle that runs the length or the motor and is fastened to the lifting points as closely as you can.
Lift the cradle from one point only using a swivel hook.


**** **** monorails
\____________________________/ cradle
I
I chain hoist
? swivel hook
I
I chain
___________I______________
/ \ cradle
/ (--------------------\-------
/ -(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
/------XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
-----XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX motor
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go past." Douglas Adams

 

[frostrobn]

Thanks, RobWard.

Yes, this is along the lines of an idea I have had suspend a lifting beam across the monorails and then lift from one point to swivel the motor. The big problem is headroom (18 1/2&quot. Forgetting the swivel function, it is not possible to make a hitch with standard trolleys and chainfalls.

I'm thinking now of extending the structure under the motor and "skidding" the motor out until there is a point where there is sufficient headroom to rig and lower it to the floor 10 ft below.

Thanks for the help. Please let me know if you think of anything else.