I got this idea when I noticed that gas springs do a really nice job lifting LOML's Toyota Celica liftback. That trunk lid is heavy. So, I thought, "Why not harness a pair to lift heavy logs onto my truck's tailgate?"
So, I bought a pair of 90-lb gas springs, found some 3/4" oak, and went to the workshop. Here's what I built. The Pic shows a log on the end of the lifter and in postion, ready to be lifted.
At this point, the gas springs are completely closed. There are two retaining pins on each side that keep them in check while the log is rolled on the end. Note also that I have a counterweight on the other end. I use three 8-lb splitting wedges for that, but sometimes I use a 25-lb concrete block.
When the retaining pins are removed, all I have to do is get the log started, which is about half of its weight. The gas springs help more amd more, the higher they go. So, at the half-way point up, the springs completely take over and lift the log to this position:
As you can see, the springs are holding this log all by itself. There is a wooden lip that sticks up about 3" above the sides to keep the log from rolling during the lift. All you have to do now is roll the log onto the tailgate.
Here's another Pic showing a log that weighs half again more--nearly 180 lb. The springs are barely able to hold it by themselves.
When the log is on board, I use my body weight to close the lift back up and secure the two retaining pins so that it is then ready for the next lift. I have successfully lifted logs weighing as much as 260 lb with this little contraption. It's a nice alternative to the winch and ramp system that I built to drag logs on board that weigh 250 lb and up.
OK guys, WDYT? Any questions?
So, I bought a pair of 90-lb gas springs, found some 3/4" oak, and went to the workshop. Here's what I built. The Pic shows a log on the end of the lifter and in postion, ready to be lifted.
At this point, the gas springs are completely closed. There are two retaining pins on each side that keep them in check while the log is rolled on the end. Note also that I have a counterweight on the other end. I use three 8-lb splitting wedges for that, but sometimes I use a 25-lb concrete block.
When the retaining pins are removed, all I have to do is get the log started, which is about half of its weight. The gas springs help more amd more, the higher they go. So, at the half-way point up, the springs completely take over and lift the log to this position:
As you can see, the springs are holding this log all by itself. There is a wooden lip that sticks up about 3" above the sides to keep the log from rolling during the lift. All you have to do now is roll the log onto the tailgate.
Here's another Pic showing a log that weighs half again more--nearly 180 lb. The springs are barely able to hold it by themselves.
When the log is on board, I use my body weight to close the lift back up and secure the two retaining pins so that it is then ready for the next lift. I have successfully lifted logs weighing as much as 260 lb with this little contraption. It's a nice alternative to the winch and ramp system that I built to drag logs on board that weigh 250 lb and up.
OK guys, WDYT? Any questions?