Dirt Floor Blues

[Constructor1]

Yesterday I finished removing engine from frame and fought with the hoist in the dirt for so long the my back is sore today. Also fought the cab stand around in the dirt as well. I became very frustrated and really considering if I am biting off more than I can chew by doing this project on the side of my house. I finally got everything done and put in its place if you will. But I spent about 2 extra hours stuggling with moving heavy equipment and parts around on a dirt yard. I placed some plywood down under the cab stand, but man am I rethinking what I am doing. I am not a quiter, so I will continue - I guess I am just venting. Anyone have any tips for building project in the dirt?

[ETsC10]

IMHO...if you can, move the truck instead of the hoist
Also, a cherry picker can tip over.

[CG]

I was looking at a thread on another board and the guy has the same problem as you. I dont know if this is an option for you but here is what he did. He went to harbor freight and purchased some 10 inch tires on a coupon. He fixed his hoist and stands up with em and was easily able to move his stuff around in the dirt

Where I have all my junk stored I have the same problem. I do have a tractor with a bucket out there so I can easily move my stuff most of the time. But sometimes a cherry picker would be easier. So Im going to modify mine with the rubber tires for this summer when Im cleaning out the rest of my junk.

[Constructor1]

ETsC10, I try to move the truck out from under anything I pick up but the problem was that I have limited space and the cherry picker legs where under the chassis in such a way that the tires/wheels on the frame would have to drive over the legs of the hoist. Even if I am able to roll the frame out of the way, I still have to move the cherry picker to the place I want to drop or set the enigne or heavy items.

I think that CG has a good idea with the larger "Off Road" tires. I will pick some up and will fab/install on my cherry picker prior to any other heavy lifting.

I also would like to fab up a type of A-Frame that will move forward and back fairly easily in the dirt - but as always, funds for the project are limited. I think this would really assist me in picking things up and then I can roll the chassis in and out without the cherry picker legs being in the way. Something with an I-Beam top rail and a nice trolley, and while I am dreaming, a 10,000 sq. foot shop would be nice also.

Again, thanks for the advice. This is my first full frame off project and I think I was just really frustrated with how difficult it was to move heavy objects around on the dirt - just me and my 12 year old son doing the work. I know with a little thought and inginuity and alot of help from the great people on this forum, I will get it done.

[special-K]

I do a lot of work on a stone driveway and it sure does suck. I put 3/4" plywood down when I can't move the vehicle. I don't always have any,but it's worth the investment even if you buy a sheet just for one job. Last summer I swapped axles between my 3/4t 4wd Suburban and Jimmy. Fortunately I had a job coming up replacing the roof on an old spring house that took 6 sheets. It took three to shuttle the axles to the vehicle beside using Harbor Freight dollies under the drums/discs. I just installed the plywood dirty side up on the spring house . I have a 4L80E/NP241 combo to drop out of the Suburban and have about a 30" wide piece of pressure treated 3/4" I've kept around to lay under the jack. My big floor jack is about impossible to push under anything w/o being on plywood. If at all possible this summer,once that Suburban is junked I'd like to "finally" pour a slab there. The concrete outside my shop (sorry,no vacancy) is taken up for parking another project. It would be a real luxury if my next place is a shop that have a house,or at least a place to eat,sleep,and wash up. To all who have to work on vehicles outside on dirt or gravel,I feel your pain. Sucks,don't it? Ya gotta have a sheet of plywood around. I also have an ancient piece of carpet I roll out to lay one. I have spent more time looking for dropped hardware in loose stones than it takes to install it...if I found it.