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His is the simplest shop elevator design he’s ever seen, says Lloyd Gordon. “The simplest to make – and the strongest,” he adds.
His lift is essentially a forklift mast with a box added. The forks are covered in steel plate.
“The lift goes up to my 20×80-foot parts storage room,” he says.
The microswitch for the lights in the room was a later add-on. Having the lights come on automatically was an improvement since the original switch was 20 feet from the elevator.
“I never have to worry about turning the lights out when I’m done, either,” Gordon points out.
He says he paid $150 for the tow motor, which needed a repair. He also added a 1½-hp. three-phase motor for the hydraulics. “I used the same valve that was on it,” he recalls.
Materials: Three-wheel tow motor, ¼-inch diamond-plate steel, iron to make the frame, and switches.
Tools: Set of wrenches and a welder.
It’s not complicated: A 1,500-pound electric tow motor hoist (a forklift mast) is welded directly to the steel frame of the upstairs parts mezzanine, which has a concrete floor.
It’s automatic: Besides having an automatic safety triggered by a safety bar, the up/down control features a microswitch to turn the mezzanine lights on and off.
Operation: Gordon Farms of Wellington, Ohio, is run by Lloyd Gordon’s two brothers, Will and Bob, and a nephew, Eric Flynn, who has replaced him in the operation after a severe tractor accident in 2013. Since the accident, Gordon has been a strong advocate for farm safety.
Production: The farm grows 1,200 acres of grain crops, and Flynn raises 100 head of Chiangus cattle.
Hobbies: An antique tractor and farm equipment collector, the grandfather of five enjoys equipping pedal tractors with gas engines and transmissions for his grandkids.
Service: He retires next month after 27 years as a township trustee.
Email: [email protected]