Adding small crane to goosneck? (LONG)

[Mschevey]

I am thinking of installing a small crane to the front of my gooseneck trailer. Something along the lines of a Autocrane 3202 or 2700. I restore antique equipment and feel this would help save my back.



My question is has anybody seen this kind of thing done and if so how was it done? I am thinking of adding a little bracing and a steel plate to the section of the trailer where it goes up over the tailgate. mounting the crane as close to the vertical section of frame as possible (to get the most reach over the trailer). I have dual jacks on the front of the trailer that will work for the outriggers (about 8' apart). I can run some heavy battery cable to the hitch location and put a disconnect there. The crane is about 7 or 8 feet long, when retracted. This is about the same length as the front section of the trailer. I think I could weld a cradle for it to the top of the hitch tube. I also would weld a loop to the tube to connect the hook to.



If anybody can think of any issues I may be overlooking please let me know. The worst one I have thought of and can't get around is the fact the entire weight of the crane and bracing will all be hitch weight.



Thanks for any feedback.



Mike Schevey

 

[drees1]

OK, your talking about a typical gooseneck flatbed trailer, right? If you mount the base of the crane at the top of one of the vertical frame members, then all you need to do is brace a diagonal member from the top of the member with the crane base to the bottom of the same member on the oppisite side. So as you look towards the front of the trailer while standing on the rear of the deck you would have a member running from the crane base diagonally accross and down. You should also run a member or gussset from about half way up the vertical member 45 deg down to the deck over the main frame rail, to attach in to the main rail. This will consume some deck space, but it would be worth it. Otherwise, you have selected the strongest and best place to mount the crane. It should work great.

 

[drees1]

Sorry, didn't see your crane is only 3202, (3000#s at 2 ft). That is nothing, just weld a plate to the top of the vertical upright and bolt it on. No problem, ignore post above, that was for much bigger crane.