Assembly And Using Harbor Freight Truck Crane

I got the harbor freight truck bed crane and mounted it on my truck to haul logs for the lumber mill.
I recently injured myself loading huge oak logs into the bed of the truck. Now I cant do that anymore. So I went and got the HF truck bed crane rated at half a ton capacity.
I immediately put it together and put it to work on the same day. The longest part of the project was to figure out where and how to mount the base onto the bed of the truck. I finally found the right place and got to work on it.
I drilled holes for the base and bolted it in place using longer screws which I had to buy for the project. I am putting them through the frame of the truck bed and needed longer screws.
The rest went together very fast using mostly pins and retainer clips. The only part requiring assembly was bolting the winch onto the crane arm.
I then went out and loaded some large and heavy logs into my truck using my new crane. On the first trip I realized that even the frame of the truck bed is bending and cannot hold the weight of the logs.
I later used a come along to put rearward pressure on the crane but then I had movement side to side.
This really needs some reinforcement on the truck bed to be used for heavy work.
I am considering putting some steel from the base plate down to the bumper. This should reduce any flex in the truck bed.
You can find truck bed cranes on Amazon just like this here: amzn.to/2U6dyLX
Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe & follow my daily videos.
Troy
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[@bowlweevil4161]

I built mine with adjustable strut in place of jack and put HF 2500 lb 12v winch with remote control mounted behind where your manual winch is mounted on the boom I added some 1/4x2x2 angle from lower plate to truck frame that steddied the support pole pretty well thanx for showing what you were doing as you went along, helps us home mechanics deal with problems that come up good vid THANX!

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Speaking aloud your ongoing thoughts as you go is helpful.

[@rickchory6034]

Appreciate the demo getting it on the truck. I need it for my woodcarvings, and the the bigger the log, the better! Thanks man. This gives me hope, lol!

[@jesusflores7814]

Great job! It’s doing what it was made for! If I were you I’ll put two bigger plates

[@zonianinexile]

Tried to,share this via outlook but couldn’t.

[@miguelangelvalderrama1808]

Wow very Good tool man that crane, even you can add a small vise bench to that pick up to cut many things you need.

[@freeamerican6784]

That's a nice crane setup. I just purchased the same harbor freight crane and will soon be mounting it to the floor of my Service box truck bed. I also purchased two sheets of 1/4" thick flat plate steel. One plate is 12"x12" and the other is 12"x 8". One plate will bolt on top of the bed, and the other (12"x8") will bolt up underneath the bed between the bed box frame and tool box corners, and then the crane will bolt through both steel plates and the 1/8" steel bed. So the crane will be bolted to over half an inch of flat plate steel and be supported in the corners with angle iron. Should be safe enough for my needs. I plan to use the crane to load "up to" 600 lbs at a time. If I have any problems with this setup I will post the results.

[@VA_Biker]

How did it go? Any videos or pics?

[@freeamerican6784]

@@VA_Biker Works very well Bill. It's bolted solidly to the drivers side back corner of the bed and can easily lift and load the weight I needed to lift.The upper crane section stores away in a locked box on my service truck out of the weather. No pictures taken as of yet.

[@tomlangley6236]

Next time you go to H-F pick up a cheap set of Step Bits, They will fit the drill and work great for this type of thing.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks

[@donaldpowers5557]

@@TheDoItYourselfWorld especially for thin metal keep the drill speed down. It will last longer. Oh check with protect farm. He does great tests on all kinds of tools. I think I seen one on stepper bits.. same on how saws speed down and oil.

[@bb1040]

I cut the logs in 16" length and some are very heavy to lift into my trailer so I was thinking of getting one of these to help get them in the trailer, I don't haul full logs, but lifting fresh-cut wood is getting heavier, as they get bigger around, and I get older LOL

[@clusa3721]

Many thanks for your helpful video.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bigzen69]

I'll have to say one thing you are a hard-working determined young man

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thank you

[@eddyreynoso3795]

great video 👍

[@tvance111]

You could add a support from the top of the bed out to the upright shaft. There are other videos on youtube showing this modification. Basically using a U bolt thru a piece of metal or 2x4 that wraps around the upright pole and bolt the support 2x4 or piece of metal at multiple points of your truck bed

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Soon after I did this, I sold the truck, keeping the hoist tho. And then I got a trailer with one of these mounted on it. I love it!!! The one on the trailer is really on well.

[@bronc02]

Never wrap the hook around the cable, use a small choker chain !

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks. I will get a chain.

[@the1plantguy]

Why?

[@donaldpowers5557]

@@the1plantguy it messes with the cable and you'll be poking your hand.. fraying the cable

[@the1plantguy]

@@donaldpowers5557 makes sense.

[@harvestvillage695]

or log tongs.

[@GOHURRICANES44]

My favorite part of this video was seeing him grabbing the cable and struggling to pull the log to the truck instead of using the winch

[@rjmyers5708]

Needs to put a electric winch with remote makes a far better devise!

[@the1plantguy]

So, I am curious.....was it strong enough without the bracket on the bed frame side?

[@mathewmolk2089]

We have had a few of theses type cranes on our trucks over the years. The ONLY way to mount them is to fabricate an extension from the frame to the mounting point. (A piece of 6" WF beem works very well. - You weld the beam to the frame and then bolt through the bed into the beam. ,,,, We have one shop made unit with a torquebox type mount on our flat bed that we lift a 2100 diesel compressor on and off the truck with all the time. You will NEVER get full capacity if you are just bolting it just to the sheet metal, no matter how much plate you out under it. -You have SOLIDLY connect it ti the frame

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I learned that. Thanks.

[@swedesspeedshop2518]

I think I would cut a 1/4" plate that's wide enough to bolt through both frame rails ? Like a 1'x5' ish piece of plate steel across the back of the bed . Then I would add bracing on top of the bedrail along with mounts at the stake pockets for snatch blocks or anchors . To top it off I would add an electric winch . Overkill yes

[@edwardmolohon168]

What I did with my crane like that one was I took a small pipe with holes and pins in it and put it under the to the ground so when you lift with the crane it puts the weight of the load on it so the truck bed doesn't twist hope this info helps

[@jimsteele9261]

Why not use another come-along from the front of the bed to help pull logs up into the bed?

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Will take a lot more time per log. I am hoping to make it faster yet. I have to get these out of here asap.

[@williamdavis3509]

I like your safety shoes.🤔😱🙏

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

They are so awesome

[@dougmckenzie680]

The angle pieces go under the bed floor to help distribute the tension load. The slots and holes line up with the crane mount flange holes.

[@hgboone3]

Probably needs to be placed next to your splitter... With logging tongs or something some people use a big washer with a Lag screw.. I think it would be easier if you would justUse electric Change all and cut it right there where you have the pile... Now your voice is taking up your nice bedroom 2 place a row of firewood logs... You did a decent job of demonstrating the hoist winch. When you place it next to the firewood you want to have a electric. Winch maybe rope..

[@raulhogland7309]

Great video! First thought the assembly of the boom arm and hydraulic jack should be assembled on the floor. Second thought you should never hook a cable with that metal hook that will destroy your cable. You should use a chain, or a strap, or a choker hooked to your cable hook. You also did that with your come along I think it’s an every instruction with winch and come along’s do not do that. Thanks for the video

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks :)

[@trampfossil]

got one i had a heavy weight reear bumper and had my friend weld a plate for it on the corner lined up with the side or the bed not blocking the tail light worked great but bought a 1 ton electric winch 29 on sale hf and put a cable to the trailer light plug and hass a remote totally much better

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I am thinking about putting a metal plate from the crane to the bumper and maybe one underneath to the truck frame.

[@trampfossil]

@@TheDoItYourselfWorld How can i send you a picture?

[@grantw.whitwam9948]

This is one of the more interesting videos you've made in a long time.

[@marginbuu212]

Was deciding between this and one of those hitch mounted cranes. I think I'll go with the hitch mounted crane. Little to no work when it comes to installing anything and definitely nothing permanent. Plus I don't like the idea of installing something this heavy duty on the thin sheet metal of the truck bed, even *with* a reinforcing plate.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

If you go with the hitch mount, put something under the receiver for support.

[@edfrye5358]

@@TheDoItYourselfWorld I bought a hitch mount last week to handle a 600 pound tractor tire. I'm going today to HF to get a bed mount crane. The hitch mount crane could just barely lift the half filled tire at 400 pounds. When filled with ballast it struggled and bent under the 600 pound load.

[@cyrus987987]

Dang! The keyboard fabricators are out in force!

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Yeah. lol

[@sigh_of_the_times]

I'm not sure if it's big enough for my purpose. If it's not too much of a problem could you give me the thickness of the material in both arms and the thickness of the vertical pipe. That would be well appreciated.

[@raymondquave4070]

U need to mount a support stand on bumper when limiting heavy items

[@garymccarver5006]

By the time you got that log loaded I was totally exhausted. After you've used it awhile you'll figure out what works best and maybe cut out a couple steps to the process. Nevertheless, the crain will be a real back saver.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I finally figured it out.

[@jesusflores7814]

Sorry I wasn’t able to finish my comment! A plate on top between the crane and the bed and one on the bottom side! It’s just that sheet metal and flexing doesn’t get along well it’ll tend to crack around the base of the crane if you don’t add those plates just my two cents!

[@donaldpowers5557]

Funny this video confirmed my fears. I'm playing mine top and bottom. Lucky I have 1/2" aluminum. 19" wide and will go the entire width of the bed. And I may sandwich the bed and mount the upright tight to the side of the bed rail and tag it for stability... I would like to tap the base plate for quick upright removal.. and reinsert the bolts to keep the holes clean. It would be for ocasnual use. My fear is in the bed flexing.

[@jesusflores7814]

@@donaldpowers5557 you should be ok! The way you’re planning! One thing to always consider don’t exceed the capacity load don’t do what a lot of people do!abuse instead of use tools!

[@donaldpowers5557]

@@jesusflores7814 I have a great tendency to over build. Just cut the top plate aluminum 5/8" thick 21" wide and goes edge to edge of the bed.. I'll crawl under and see where to strengthen the front to rear.. I'm trying to make it removable. Man that aluminum plate was heavier than I thought... may run a plate or a aluminum channel tight along the wheel well. Nice place to toss stuff, it will make a pocket. Thanks for the reply. My DAD worked in spare time junking stuff when we moved out to the country. Oh this is going in as 2000 Dakota. Need it it for heavy stuff. Hit the big 70. But I must stay busy.

[@barrybailey9238]

Never mind. LOL Good job.

[@cumulusvapes7]

What he doesnt know about lifting stuff, could fill a book!

[@alovxmas]

Will you please give me a link to your video always interested to see how a professional would do something correctly.

[@cumulusvapes7]

@@alovxmas I could... but, it's 49.99 . Its how i afford other guys to show up with a bobcat and equipment trailer and have it loaded hauled and installed by dark! Thats how a pro does! Sign the checks! My grunt work days are long behind me! Remember ppl, work smart, not needlessly hard!

[@strixt]

@@cumulusvapes7 No you don't

[@steveeparsonsjr7929]

Id make a 4 legged stablizer with feet that slides into the side rail walls of the side of the bed.

[@rjmyers5708]

Why not a 4" pipe with foot that swings down and locks right under the lift?

[@user-mi2cd4ev3s]

ممتاز

[@budwilliams6590]

To unload wrap chain around the bundle of logs, connect to tree and drive out from under them.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Been doing that too sometimes.

[@cocinaycocteleriaconjunjun7823]

Good video. I have a question. Where do you get the cap or plug for the jack bottle? Thack you.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks. No idea. Should have come with it when new.

[@buddylight2191]

That brace is not the frame of the truck.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I said "frame of the truck bed" not frame of the truck. Yes, you are right :)

[@eternalbeing3339]

Well you might have messed your truck up, but you got the job done.

[@youngcameracompany]

Why NOT buy the correct size drill bit?

[@benniedonald]

I would have dragged the logs out of the pile with the truck first. Then back the truck under the log when I got it high enough. I hope you have put solid plate welded to the truck frame, not the bed frame???

[@daryelthomas9414]

I want to put one on my Yamaha rhino utv

[@davepov]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to wear steel toe boots too when working around heavy logs like that.

[@timseals8288]

The angle iron goes on top of the bed in the same spot

[@Marvinfj32]

why would they not want you to use the winch to do some lifting? eliminate reconnecting a cpl times.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Dont know, Its in the instructions.

[@djexclusivee]

You must be the only guy in the galaxies that ever has read the instruction at all if not properly hehe

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Not sure what you mean. I got it working just fine and have used it heavily so I must have understood something right.

[@ktanner11]

I call them destructions not instructions but hey they make good kindling

[@That1ufo]

I would be laying a plywood sheet on the bed to protect the rubber, or better yet a steel plate.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I am thinking of a way to reinforce it with steel.

[@claudexy]

i would've mounted it "on top" of the bed liner. just drilled holes through everything. the bed liner is pretty strong and would've helped a lot , to have a strong base.

[@nol1379]

Beef up under the mount and brace the stand to remove the flex. Should have mounted it down the center to load to left or right and use the whinch to secure the load to keep it in the bed area. Don't forget the thecred bandana to let others know where the end of the logs are. Beats a broken windshield on a little car.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I did not want to reduce the truck's usefulness for other tasks such as hauling plywood or something larger. I will brace it up. Thinking of ideas now. I dont have a welder so its a bit more complicated for me. Thanks.

[@DeliriousMindBovice315]

I have a 1998 gmc sonoma troy and i did the same install you did the same way and after about 3 months of using my crane i noticed the truck bed beginning to bow where the crane was mounted so i would suggest that you take either a long piece of wood or some sheet steel and make a plate 2 or 3 times larger then your cranes plate and sandwich it under the truck bed and bolt through that to mount it so that it evens the load out across the larger area but i was lifting engines and other stuff i was too lazy to do by hand i would also take your used motor oil if you change it yourself not sure havent seen you do it in awhile and roll it onto the chassis of the truck to keep it from rusting out

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks for the info. I am thinking something along those lines. The truck bed frame is flexing and crushing because its hollow and thin metal. So I have to rework it now.

[@mechantics]

I can't help but think that mounting it in the manner of, or in conjunction with, a hitch receiver is the best bet....the max tongue weight is within spec for what the crane is capable of

[@gundamrx792]

how long was the cable?

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I would have to look online now. But it is long enough to do the job I needed done.

[@drivanivan]

what ever happened to Melanie and the baby?

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

They show up every other video or so. They are both on the newest video which is processing now.

[@michealwagoner4301]

The only problem with mounting it to inside the truck bed is when the bed is not solid and it's crispy and places it doesn't work out too well

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I would have put it in the back, up by the cab, if I had to do it over again.

[@ateamofone]

You might want to put lock washers on that!

[@maretrushbrook9666]

Full marks for trying mate . I use a similar crane here in Australia (the timber here is heavy and tough ,not like your girly stuff ) and I had to put a heavy plate under my trayback even though it has a checkerplate floor . Also ditch the hand winch and go a 12v with remote .$180 Aust on Ebay . The dyeema cable is strong and easier to work with and with the remote you won,t be up and down into the back of ute .JR

[@cyrus987987]

Weird flex but ok.

[@p52893]

Are you wearing skate board shoes?

[@bigbelconut]

This is to painful to watch, how much could a drill bit cost.

[@LoneWolfSnowplowing]

5 bolt flange, why only use 4? I bought 1 of these lately and it came with 2 pieces of reinforcement angle iron for under the bed reinforcement. I didn't use them because I have an aluminum flatbed, so I used 3/8" 3"x 3" 6061T6 aluminum. I also immediately upgraded to the Badland 2500lb electric winch.

[@appliancerepairshorts]

Not bad, but instead of trying to get the log around the one in the bed. Just move the one in the bed over. Keep in in a straight line

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Good point

[@jaysoncooper3763]

This is probably a dumb question, but what is the purpose of a 25 foot cable on this if you use the jack to bring it in?

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I think the winch mechanism is not strong enough for heavy loads so you are supposed to use the jack to pull things up. The cable reaches out there and the arm lifts things for you.

[@hanswekking5134]

Get a chainsaw and cut into manageable chunks. Much easier on back. There are a lot of good cordless chainsaws that you can charge batteries on solar

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

These large logs are for the lumber mill. Anything of lesser quality goes to fire wood.

[@bb1040]

My chainsaw is cordless, it is gas-powered, in fact all three of my chainsaws are cordless, and I want the crane to pick up logs that are already cut into 16" length, green and about 2 to 3 feet in diameter, a little hard on my back when trying to load them on my 8' X 5' trailer, of course, I am 73 years old now but still cutting trees and splitting my firewood....

[@3370603]

Good video it is but I do wish u good luck with it ! I put one in my truck and put two nice steel plates one on top in bed and another underneath with an angel bracket !! U will soon see why I did what I did ! The parts they give u is way to cheap and not strong enough at all But Now I can life generators pressure washer, small engines , I have even loaded a junk riding lawn mower off a trailer in the back of my truck just to see if I can do it and if it would hold strong with no problem . Please give update video . My next is to add a power winch 👍

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks. Yes I am thinking of ways to reinforce it without a welder cause I have none. I will show updates when I get it fixed up.

[@mechantics]

I am about to mount the same lift, appreciate the video along with the CONSTRUCTIVE comments such as yours

[@ktanner11]

@@TheDoItYourselfWorld Usually can find on old lincoln buzz box for around a 100 bucks yes its 220v yes its stick, but hey for a diy guy farmer itll work and taken care of they never die

[@Bonez-we2ci]

When u get it lifted up ur supposed to lock it side ways move it like u did down the log jack it up agin and Wind it in and it will pull itself up

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Might be but I found it helps a lot to shake it while pulling. Takes a lot of the load off the crane and the truck bed. Thats how I saw it anyway.

[@garyjohn316]

You need to get someone at a welding shops opinion on how to strengthen that base. Great crane, If I had an old truck I would do it!

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Yes I agree. Needs a stronger base.

[@barrybailey9238]

You should have eliminated the plastic liner where you mount the crane.

[@chadbanks7339]

He did

[@danny88dh]

Huh I don't like how you gadda bolt it to the bed just like he said the flex doesn't seem awesome

[@zonianinexile]

Wobbles..I’m putting one on a boat dock or will need an extra plate..

[@runifuceeme406]

I WOULDVE PUT WEATHER SEAL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON THE ACTUAL METAL OF THE BED BETWEEN THE CRANE MOUNT AND SEALED OFF THE EXPOSED REMAINING PARTS WITH SILICONE AFTER TIGHTENING DOWN THE CRANE... THIS WOULD PREVENT RUST SINCE THESE METALS WILL BE RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER OTHERWISE..

[@angrygnome4779]

Gotta be careful not to bend the bed corner. Don’t ask how I know.

[@KEOHO1965]

The main thing is you got the job done. You would not have been able to do it on your own.

[@UtubeAdviser]

Invest the extra money next time and get an electric heavy duty hoist from harbor freight You’ll save your back

[@boblinda1738]

STEP BIT

[@s.o.f.fpatriotsforlife414]

Good way to break a bit

[@73superglide62]

Round file works great

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

True

[@pepeshopping]

Never understand why these proud DIY people would leave their cars/trucks rust like that. Once a year cleanup, paint, undercoat and no rust anywhere.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

I agree. Its very sad to see how bad the rust is on this truck. We just got it a week ago ourselves. I have a lot of work to do cleaning it up now.

[@mechantics]

Never understand why people leave comments on posts that have no relevance to the post and are written as though the person who volunteered their time to create the post isn't being addressed; it reminds me of some bimbo blonde valley girl cheerleader trying to boost her ego by bashing the kid with glasses

[@comedianmattrossey]

That's truly gonna be a back changer.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Sure is

[@beachlife1411]

Super rad troy , I would do a steel plate , 1/4 to 3/8 think , too , is it all for fire wood the logs ?

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Thanks. I plan to keep the logs for the lumber mill. The nice, thick logs will make good lumber. Anything of lower quality will be fire wood.

[@L1vR-1948]

thanks 👍👍

[@budwilliams6590]

Looks sketchy to me.

[@honestspirit56]

Old video…. But do NOT install the crane without frame mounted brackets…..ever. If you do, the device will fail the truck bed…. And likely kill you in the process.

[@darrellwampler6473]

👍

[@christopherbonanno1120]

Looks easier to just lift log and put it in

[@MountainsBreath]

Those logs may look small but can weigh over 400-500lbs easy

[@harvestvillage695]

In the description he explained that he injured himself earlier lifting heavy logs as you suggested.

[@BlueFlyer21]

all right now were talking , real mans tools

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

:)

[@christophermorrison3938]

Troy do yourself a huge favor friend get yourself some good steel toe boots to do this kind of work in safe your self a crushed foot and a lot of money👍

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

When working in the field or cutting fire wood with the chainsaw I use steel toed boots. But for running around the property I use canvas shoes.

[@douglasthompson2740]

A bed is made out of sheet metal. It's frame is sheet metal. So when it flexes and moves you are surprised??? You need to make a serious mount based on the truck's frame. Using it that way to lift any more than a few pounds is going to damage the bed. Seems to be a whine-a-thon of incompetence.

[@TheDoItYourselfWorld]

Well thank you for such kind words. I show my daily life and experience, good and bad. I try to do the best I can and learn as I go. I have since learned how to improve on this very much.

[@davidbeerbohm9319]

THANK GOD HE DON'T DO THIS FOR A LIVING !!