Loading Material tips/tricks... Additional machinery?

While so much on this forum is focused on cut quality and CAD programming, what about the simple stuff? Like getting those sheets on and off before/after cuts. A lot of time can be wasted with something so simple. I currently have to just "Figure it out" with the forklift but am searching for a better procedure. Building a large plate rack soon for my 1/4"< material and feel like some foresight would help greatly after I have 3/4", 1" plate I am needed to load safely and not take forever.
My dream way is overhead bridge crane which I was spoiled with at my old union shop and was a breeze. Looking at options though, they seem to be all over the map price wise.

How do you load/unload your material?

Taylor Hansen
Hansen Mechanical Inc.

 

I was thinking even a small 15'x30' bridge crane would be small enough not too cost a ton$$$ but big enough to span over my table and any racking system/welding table parallel with it.

 

We use a Caterpillar skid steer with forks to load 5x10 sheets of .750 and 1.000 material and down, I am going to install a pedestal style overhead crane and get one of those magnets that can be switched on and off with a lever so we can retrieve the cut pieces when its done with the file, something that picks 500lbs,

 

LK Goodwin seams to have some reasonably priced stand alone bridge cranes. Dependingon exact size 15'x30' @ 4K lbs is right about $15K

 

Be extra careful with those magnets. I have used a 2500lb one at my day job and have been around when guys either don't clean up plate enough or get it all twisted and.... Slam that full sheet of 3/4" comes down quick

 

I have a Clark 4500 pound Forklift. Works Great.
Mike

 

Has anyone made anything special for there forklift? I have to find a safer way to load 3/4 sheets then what we are doing now.

 

We have a pneumatic suction platform that is hooked to a boom. works like a charm.

 

I bought a Harbor freight electric hoist with trolley wheels on a tractor supply barn door track. works like a charm, I back my truck in the shop and put a strap around each single sheet, push the button and guide it to my machine and lower it.
I cut it in half with the torchmate and with straps still attached move the other half to my rolling rack to be cut later. I have $200 in it total.

 

Cut 4 "C" shape brackets.



Get a chain hoist.

Chain each one to the center point.

Put each one on the edges.

Lift. Move.