Ed in Tampa wrote:Talking about cranes, my buddy was in the hospital and while visiting him I noticed that each room had a hoist. There were two tracks parallel to the side walls that ran the length of the room. Between them was another rail which carried the carriage.
It looked to me that this crane/hoist could go practically anywhere in the room and putting the hoist right over what needed to be lifted. The tracks were fully encased and looked to be about an inch or so wide about 6 inch high. The hoist assemble itself was fully enclosed but I assumed it could lift a patient so it was probably rated 300+ lbs and hoist travel was at least from floor to some distance above a raised hospital bed.
What caught my eye was the fact it totally finished and didn't look like something massive. I was connected to the ceiling in such a way that looked sturdy but not factory huge.
I have no idea of cost but since each room had one I can't imagine it was all that expensive (however I was in a hospital which tend to spend money like water because they are getting it from health insurance companies but that is another thread). It sure looked like something I would love to have in my garage. I will now keep my eye peeled everytime I see a remodel job in any hospital. I will bet more than one construction guy has one of these in his home shop to pick up various things in the shop.
More likely 500# +.
FWIW they work quite well with 350#+ load. A proper sling helps greatly.
I have noticed them mainly in ICU.
BTW, SWMBO does not share our awe of the thing!