22 foot 6 x 12 piece of lumber....need to get on roof..Best way??

Question

Hi,
I need to put a 22 foot 6x12 for my garage header. It is super heavy. How can I get it up there, without having to rent a crane? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

pb4sc

Answer 1

It is not that heavy :).
If you do not have a crane or a few strong lads then perhaps cribbing (support framework made of timber) is the way to go. The 22’ 6x12 is not that heavy however I think you intend to treat it with respect it deserves. Using cribbing one person should be able to get your header into place SAFELY.

Typical cribbing is built up by using 4X4 or 6X6 timbers. You will need about 36 6X6 8’ for an 8' rise or so depending on the height you are trying to raise the beam. Do not worry if you do not have them on stock since you could always return them since they will not be damaged.

Place the deader into the position that is across the garage door and as close to the wall. Raise one end and slide a first 6x6 timber 3’ from its center and lower the header on the center of the timber. Raise the other end and place another timber 3’on the other side of the header. Place to timber across the first to creating a rectangular box about 6’ by 6’ inside. Raise and support the header again. Repeat stacking and rising until you reached desired height. I wood use a 1 to 1.5 ton bottle jack it small and handy.

A-frames and other contraptions are fun but unstable so if decide to ace it using-frames be very careful.

Good luck

Answer 2

2 come-alongs ratcheting cable type ($24 each) four 2x4x12' ($35) Make 4x4's out of the 12 foot 2x4s and lash then to the header supports. Bolt the come-alongs to the top of the cribbing and lash the ratcheting side to the header. Now just ratchet it into place about 3 ratchets per side at a time. When you are done with the 2x4 cribbing separate them and use them to build somewhere else in the garage. Not much use for a 4x4 in a garage when you are done using it. If you have a harbor freight store nearby go there and buy their overhead cable wench ($30) it comes with a remote unit and you could do all this yourself.

Answer 3

What I would do is install some heavy duty hooks temporarily on each side of the garage above where you want to install the header.

Next you use chains or strong rope to tie one end of the lumber up. You can even pulley it up if you use the rope. Just do it one side at a time. Then just tie it off. Then go on the other side and do the same thing. If you have help, which I'm sure you do, you can have the other person help lift the lumber while you pull down on the rope as you pulley it up.

Just make sure the hooks, ropes, and tie down points are strong so that you don't drop the lumber. I used the same technique for installing a really huge evaporative cooler.

With this technique, you can even adjust the level of the lumber to where you want it so you can just push it towards the garage as you mount it.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

A frame 4x4s into a sling under the header board. base the legs against the wall .. lash the header to the frame at the appropriate distance from the wall .and use a long rope attached to the top of the A frame. With the rope over the roof use a pickup truck for power to pick the frame to the roof .. walaa .. your header is up to the roof level... of course you may end up breaking (1) the Aframe, (2) the header board. (3) the rope.( 4) the truck bumper .. (5) your neck (6) your bank balance when having to fix it instead of just getting the apporopriate lift.

Answer 5

you can get a couple friends to help you tie it to a rope, a couple of you go on the roof and the other couple stay down on the bottom and as they help u push up you guys on top pull....but the crane would be the best answer. my father owns a hardware store in malibu and the only way we get lumber on the roof is using the forklift. you should try what i told you though...

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

make a simple pulley system. couldnt be too hard.