We Build A DIY Ladder Lift To Help Us Construct Our Earthbag Dome

[@ourselfreliantlife]

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[@robertfirestone5743]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TdgX2Hq86diqc You are on the way

[@markbrown6236]

Make 2 lower rails so there is no longer a step up. Then it will go all the way to the top without fighting the step up.

[@TheGremlin825]

rip down a couple of 2x4s to the thickness of the upper portion of the ladder and add them to the bottom of the ladder so you have continuous rails

[@FuzzeeDee]

A couple of hardwood wedges about 18” long could eliminate the issue of getting the platform past the little step between the upper and lower parts of the ladder and provide smooth travel up and down.

[@donaldcowick4280]

I like this idea, but wouldn't it be more stable to add a 2 X ? (equal widtth ) filler that creates a smoother lift without transitioning levels?

[@FuzzeeDee]

@@donaldcowick4280 by going with wedges you don’t have to make new ones every time you extend the ladder as they build, just move the wedges. By making them 18” long it provides a gradual ramp from one level to the other.

[@thismanhasnoname3843]

I came to say something along these lines. Just replace the factory plastic plugs on the ends of the upper ladder with something with some length and taper.

[@hughhammond5662]

I was thinking something along these lines as well.

[@trentszeponski3456]

I like the idea of a wedge. I would build a light frame that can hook onto the ladder rungs so it would mount both wedges at the desired hight. I’ve worked with ladder and jacks all summer for many years Stuccoing houses. I like the hoist system already and the 18” inch ramp would speed up the process to the right levels.

[@sean123456789]

Flip the ladder around so it doest have to go over the bump going up. Also mount something on the other side of the ladder to prevent it from falling left or right.

[@kurt16950]

yes... saw that at firsts. Need something to keep the platform from pulling away or tipping. could be quite simple as extending the side 2x4 and screwing a block that would ride below the side rail to keep it from pulling away.

[@ToddLarsen]

That's one heck of an impressive solution to your problem. I hope it works out over time and look forward to seeing the progress with your new machine.

[@ATJHTRAVELS]

Awsome 👍🏻 👍🏻 👍🏻 sledgehammered that like button stay safe awesome and blessed enjoyed and shared

[@georgevelt7125]

Gotta love Jess when she is trying to be supportive for her man while thinking hope this new lift need some serious intervention . You two guys are amazing . Jim as the crazy professor and Jess as his devoted lady.

[@seanflanagan5674]

Congratulations, glad you acted on my recommendation. Really sad you wouldn't let me buy it for you. Guess I should take that as a gentle hint.

[@randolphtorres4172]

That ladder step is not designed to take that kind of load, but you could stick a bar in the step that has the pulley on it. Make sure the ground crew remains alert for potential headaches.

[@pappabob29]

Agree with others who have suggested flipping the platform so the shelf is at the bottom. Much more stable that way!! Also agree with adding some wedges below the movable "upper" ladder legs. Maybe you can attach them to the last (lowest) rung so they move as you extend the ladder up. Also would suggest two additional things: 1- The 2X4's you added to the cart are a good idea but you should extend the side pieces so you can add another piece across the back side of the ladder legs so the cart CAN'T spin off the ladder. In other words, a complete 2X4 "surround" around the ladder legs that is deep enough to go around the upper and lower ladder legs. 2- Like someone else said, re-inforce the rung that is holding the winch with a bar/pipe inside the rung or some other method because that rung will cave in with enough weight. When you attach the pulley, use a strap or something that won't be so inclined to dig into the aluminum rung (aluminum isn't strong and is soft). Make that strap long enough so it hangs down OVER a 2X4 that puts it 1.5" to 3" inches out from the ladder legs. This will put the cable out away from the ladder and help the cart travel along the legs. Pipe straps (two hole type) can attach 2X4 to a rung. May want to start with one laying flat and add more if necessary. If you run the pulley attachment over the 2X4's, you're done.

[@rickv2232]

You might want to move the pulley away from the ladder a few inches, in order to keep the bumper from hitting the rungs, and it will make the travel smoother.

[@robertbuckley9303]

Or you could fasten woo

[@DesertNails]

VERY IMPRESSIVE SOLUTION! { clapping }

[@StoneKathryn]

Nice ladder sliding DDS! Thanks for showing this Jim and Jess. Enjoy those duck eggs!

[@chuckspeer2163]

I believe you are doing a bang up job go for it Jess and Jim don't listen to people sitting on there ???? If they meant we'll they would be there with you love your ambition

[@styx62ga95]

Very cool 😎👍

[@kaydog2008]

Here's an idea if you change the 1 lift platform to a set of 3 or 4 mini escalator steps it will be more stable close to the ladders and if you can find a way to put a ramp from each ladder segments maybe a thin piece of sheet metal riveted between the two. 👈😉👈

[@williampowhida572]

You are on the right track now. Motorized lift.

[@jimlove8144]

You’re always excited!

[@sierramantrvlnus]

Yay!

[@gc1914]

What if you put a little wedge where the ladder bumps up make that transfer a bit smoother. You too are amazing 😊💪

[@carrieraupp757]

I like the direction using motorized winch 💡

[@williampowhida572]

The lady is a game gal, but she has allergies and other physical infirmities, perhaps a colder environment would be better as a home site. But you are both a hoot to watch and your capacity for innovations is awesome. God bless you both.

[@creinicke1000]

Allergies are only for a couple weeks.. and only if a lot of rain.. not often. Cold is for 6 months! I live in AZ.. never going back to cold Midwest.

[@davesmathers1990]

Now you got it with the ladder that's what I sent you about the ladder👌

[@racebanning6390]

SWEEET!!!! WILE E. COYOTE IS SMILING!!

[@vickidecker9923]

Genius! It will come in handy while trying to cob the outside up high. I'm sure it will hold Jess. Nice work.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thank you Vicki!

[@beachlife9419]

Winch super idea 💡 👍👍👍👍👍👍 nice work guys , you can use that same set up for your personal elevator to get up on your rain roof , to clean your gutter's or , build things too

[@ahk0341]

Looks good. I like your ingenuity on a budget. Totally what we would do as well. Necessity is the mother of inventions. 😆

[@timothydonnell5399]

I would flip the lift upside down so that the weight is at the bottom and you can add a board between the supports to add strength and stability. This will also aid in the transition between the rails of the ladder. Once that is done it should be perfect for your needs. Great work so far and keep up the hard work.

[@sarahmedema3930]

You should make the wood stabilizers wrap around the back of the ladder too.

[@KeepItSimpleSurvival]

Good Job

[@nickdepuy7162]

Nice job guys! Great engineering. Some more of your angle iron for the transition to make a nice gradual ramp would make things easier.

[@rodneyj.6875]

I have the same idea some years ago . And you need to make some kind of taper ramp so the lower half a ladder to the top half of a latter so it would go smoother instead of heading the bottom of the higher latter soul will not get stock . And the cable poly is on top of a latter needs to strong S stead of bailing wire .

[@verdajanefrench6692]

Turn it around put the shelf on the bottom so the cans fit between the bars. Plus add small weeks to it make it easier to go up &down

[@ericjohnson1008]

Looks like. Fun way to get dirt moved. Stay safe out there.

[@firstmate015]

Necessity is still the MOTHER of INVENTION isn't she? got you guys thinking and it's working out. Glad to see your progress. Take it slow as that's how to win this race you two got goin'.. Hat's off to you. Agree Jess on chicken eggs. They contain a lot of sulfer, change their diet maybe. I love duck eggs. Enjoy

[@PixieDust-eq6kc]

My thoughts exactly.

[@CrankyBubushka]

Love your shirt, Jim! I am sure Jessica does and you are very fortunate :)

[@kmw4359]

Very clever! You’ll figure out any adjustments needed.

[@totherarf]

You may want to think about a wedge to let the sled move from one ladder to the other. Not so bad now, but when you get a couple of feet higher .... Still it will save a LOT of climbing for you guys! I am still impressed at how hard you both are working at it all!

[@kathrynrodlun8514]

Yes Jess. That hydrates lime in water (10 ounces per gallon will keep eggs shelf stable without refrigeration for at least a year. Pull out of water rinse and use!

[@doreenstirling2169]

Good for you clever couple working out a better system for back breaking tasks

[@Jhovan33]

Like the idea, but wouldn't wire tie that block like that at the top. Need to bolt something there so it doesn't come crashing down upon you if the wire breaks holding the block. Also, could probably cut some boards at angle and install along the edges of the ladder to bridge the gap between the two ladder sections to eliminate that bump.

[@Jay-pc6jx]

Very cool guys! Needs a little tweaking still, you'll get it figured out Jim. Be safe with it, injuries will slow things down to! Probably wouldn't ride it anymore lol. Hope this will save on your bodies and speed things along! Can't wait to see it in action!

[@backcountrypreps6171]

Hellz yea boyeee!!!!

[@rabbireubenmodek2616]

Love your channel. Got an idea. Attach the winch motor at the very bottom wrong or one above it. It will prevent the motor obstructing the lift table. Also, how about using some small wheels to have the lift ride better on the ladder posts. And little flaps that would envelope the ladder post preventing the lift from flipping over.... you guys are awesome! Reuben

[@mg9510]

You should be able to zip tie a 2x4 to each side of ladder at the bottom to get rid of the bump . Or plywood or OSB all the way up the ladder. Get rid of the bump going up and you got it made !!!

[@timerickson7056]

crew is relieved

[@Banjo-lm2wl]

So glad you got the winch fab I know it would do the job xxx Australia

[@judithhousel4747]

Made in the shade, sweet lemonade.

[@jimh4167]

On the inside of the guide blocks If you put 1/2 inch strips or what ever fits on the inside on the ladder rails (outside) They will keep the lift from raring and trying to jump off... Also I would put a front board and sides To give the load (cans) more stability

[@francismewton3276]

That's a neat bit of engineering from you two, that spider looked cuddly jess, the biggest spider I've seen in my own house here in england was 4inches from the front leg to the back leg a large body and black, I know I've seen big spiders at the zoo, but a house spider! Look at it this way you don't need to buy anymore parts your surrounded by, now your getting higher on your build, both of you keep safe xx

[@charlesloeffler333]

Maybe attach the lift cable farther out on the board so that it is pulled inward toward the ladder and the top of the sled won’t jump away from the ladder, maybe.

[@glenbbqdavidson7131]

Brilliant 👏

[@sueyates3555]

Nice idea. I hope it stays working until your done with it.

[@mikerieger8964]

Maybe replace the bottom ends of the extension part of the ladder with some wood wedges so it transitions between the two parts smoothly. I built a lift using just 2x4s

[@affordabledesertliving3487]

Very very creative JIm. Way to go! I was a bit worried at the end you would use it as a personal elevator and fall at the top. But then I know you are a lot more careful than that. All the best guys!

[@richardroyles1423]

Make your two by fours longer on the top and put a two before across the backside of the ladder that will stabilize it. God bless . Kansas

[@stevenrussell2218]

Mount some wood to the bottom of the ladder to make a transition from the bottom section to the top section 👌

[@kevinwilliams8662]

Enjoyed the show

[@floydgraves3997]

Add 2” wheels to ride on the ladder and it should go up and down much easier. You’ll need to lengthen your side guides so they are long enough to keep it on the ladder. Good job. We were hoping you’d figure out something like this. Yaaaaa!

[@Thoracius]

As others have said, some wedges would help with that transition. Also, as others have said, turn the elevator upside down so that the platform is at the bottom, as it'll be stronger and have better balance. As others have said, you should shorten the depth of the platform, or at the very least make sure to load most of the weight as close to the ladder side as possible to improve stability. If you secure the bottom of the ladder into the ground with some stakes/spikes, that would allow you to angle it a little less steep, which would also improve stability. Secure the ladder at the top as well. You don't want this thing tipping with a heavy load up high on it. Any reason not to turn the ladder backwards? That would make the transition go in instead of out. Be safe.

[@markosmalek6356]

Good Job man , simple and effective hope it works with the load on without many issues

[@niknikolaeff7620]

Jess I love you dry sense of humour, if that's what that was 🤣🤣🤣💖

[@kitaro9336]

Loving the innovation ❤️

[@ZonDog]

Great job on magivering a hoist!!

[@bloomoose390]

Duck eggs are my favorite!! I have two black, Indian Runner Ducks, and two chickens as well!! Duck eggs are so much richer!! Love’em!!

[@erichuggins09]

Excellent.

[@kathrynrodlun8514]

Super cool invention!

[@glenbbqdavidson7131]

When they made you guys they forgot to put in the quit. 👍

[@micahsparks5495]

Very cool! The torque from starting up the motor seemed to shake the ladder a bit though, so please use caution! :D. I bet a simple stand made of 2x4 wedged between the middle of the ladder and the base of the dome would make it nice and sturdy!

[@joseortiz5965]

Awesome. Put wedge on each side of the ladder where the table gets hung up on . This way the load will ride on the wedge at that point . You night even want to put a thin coat of oil or wd-40 on the rails.

[@Kbuzmin99]

Looking great. Need something to help it transfer smoothly from one section of the ladder to the other. Also I would beef up the sides of the platform so the cans won't slide off if it gets tilted/skewed a little. Hope it works out. 👍

[@patrickjobling8676]

Wheels on ya wooden frame cuts the drag n friction ..skate board wheels or such n such .. jolly good ya got ya self a lift elevator all very posh n stuff ..what ..😍😎😁pip pips and carryon pilgrims

[@nigelsamways2169]

knock out the plastic caps from the bottom of the second stage ladder and as mentioned below recess some hardwood wedge into the holes for a strong fixing

[@ArizonaHighDesertHomestead]

That is so awesome Jim and Jessica..im still amazed at everything you have done.. keep working safe brother !!!

[@hughhammond5662]

As some have said wedges would be a great addition to get over the transition of the ladder. I would also maybe make the parts that wrap around the sides of the ladder a little longer and maybe have something wrap around the back to keep the cart on the track of the ladder. Also maybe make the cart a box that is shorter sticking off the ladder you could stack the cans inside this box. This would help keep the weight closer to the ladder. Just be safe and maybe wear a hard hat. A bucket of dirt could hurt from 12-20 foot. And some old roller blade wheels or even strips of plastic cutting board would keep it sliding smooth on the ladder.

[@livingfree2699]

Looks great guys!

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

You come up with some crazy things I tell ya. LOL. This one just might work! Good job done buddy. Stay safe!

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks CB! We hope so.🤞

[@davidowen888]

The DDS is moving in the right direction⬆️, need to move the weight closer to the ladder, and try some wood to even the transition to the second section of ladder 👍☮

[@JamesCouch777]

The pyramid builders could learn a thing or two from y'all 😉👍

[@stevepoppitz8248]

Make a reinforced version of a kids plastic snow sled ( maybe two sleds screwed together ) Important to be inside of the ladders rails. OR , guides / wheels to keep aligned.

[@ravenrock541]

Food for thought: You need a lift point above your work level (maybe 5ft) and out away from wall of building. Secure ladder at base and top so it won't move (weights and rope). Build a small removable platform that can be mounted at top of ladder to hold pulley of lift (similar to the slide platform you made). Using a rope you can tie together hooks that hold your cans of dirt equally spaced so they hang in a line on the rope. (Think fishing lead). Now you can pull the buckets up, they will hang on the rope just at convenient reach of work level. The bottom of the bucket rope will have to be weighted, of course, equall to weight of all the full buckets. It would take more detail to describe this properly but you get the idea. When you finish a row, push ladder out to set last bag, extend ladder up if you need to. This should allow you to have a more permanent temporary work set up. I'm just throwing out ideas here....

[@garypascoe8811]

Good idea. Couple of thoughts. Shorten the platform so center of gravity is not so far from ladder, less tendancy to tip. Flip your ladder riding on one continuous rail and avoid the step up. Really admire y'all !!! Hope you have bed n breakfast type places to stay some day ..

[@TheOleHermit]

Yes, my thoughts, exactly. plus one more suggestion. Instead of one long platform, cut it into stair steps on a sled, keeping the weight close to the ladder with a lower center of gravity..👍

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

Hey guys, great solution to the problem of getting your dirt to the top. I know you had to spend some of your resources but I think in the long-term it will save your back and maybe a broken bone or two. If you've ever fallen off a ladder you would know what I'm talking about. About halfway down you think to yourself " MAN, THIS IS GONNA HURT." Then you hit the bottom and you lay there trying to breathe. Lol I like the suggestion of cutting back your platform so it doesn't stick out so far. I think your center of gravity will be closer to the ladder that way. I wish you luck and looking forward to seeing it in action.

[@TheOleHermit]

@@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325 Yep, been there, done that. From the top o a 24 ft ladder, the bottom slid out from under me on the concrete floor. Knew it was going to hurt and it did, especially twisting my ankles from landing on the top rungs. On my own, laid in a heap just groaning for about 15 minutes.😜 But, accidently stepping off an 8 ft high stage and landing head first was worse. 🤦‍♂️

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

@@TheOleHermit, LOL, Landing on your head would be a bad thing for sure. I was on a step ladder and one of the legs buckled and down I went. It was just dirt under me, except for the 10 x10 beam that I hit with my ribcage. A big peace of wood like that doesn't give but your ribs do break. Lol I spent the rest of the day at the hospital. Here in Thailand they like to give you strong drugs. They gave me a shot of morphine and I started floating. They also gave me 10 morphine pills to take over the next 5 days. What a trip that was. LOL

[@TheUserid82]

If you want an off the shelf solution Unistrut can be screwed right onto a wood frame and they make rollers to ride inside it without hitting those screws/bolts holding it to the wood. You would be able to build a frame/ramp easily to act as the lift frame and be more stable then the ladder. it is fully recyclable after you have finished as the unistrut is good for future projects as it makes mounting pipes and electrical conduits very simple.

[@senorfrescoLA]

Good job! Just need to level that step, make a rail so it goes up smoothly.

[@reyflores4606]

Good idea. For more safety, how about put a piece of the metal angle cross the bottom of the ladder for stability.

[@eyalbarmitzvah]

Plant some lemon balm to ward away mosquitos. It will cover your land and help as a cover plant on exposed soil

[@greengregs]

Cool invention!

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Perfect! Perfect! Gift! I know you had ,that ladder lift, stashed away ,some where!You guys, are such a tease!😅👍🇺🇸 Sweet deal !P.S., watch out for "Jake" the snake in the grass!

[@RoyBlumenthal]

That's excellent!!! (One tweak... I think you need to attach the pulley up top with more than just a few turns of wire. That's the weakest part of the contraption. Another tweak.... The eye bolt on the platform is the serving weakest point in the system. If it's only held in by the threads biting into the wood, that'll fail quite fast. Probably needs a nut with a wide washer to speak the forces.)

[@TheOleHermit]

Hi guys! Glad to see you using a winch to do the hard work. Working smarter, instead of harder, right? FYI, I used that same model of winch and a ladder to pull a well pump from 400 ft deep. The pipe plus the water inside it was ~ 800lbs. Loaned the winch to a neighbor for the same purpose, but he powered it with some long thin extension cords. The voltage drop of the extension cords was sufficient enough to increase the amps through the winch and burned out one of its windings. Just though you should know. Ended up replacing it with a much smaller (in size, not power) Badlands winch, which could be mounted on the front of your SUV. If yours also came from Harbor Freight, then you could probably swap them. Just a couple more suggestions. 💡 Flip your ladder upside down to eliminate the step where the two sections overlap. 💡 Instead of one long platform, cut it into stair steps on a sled, keeping the weight closer to the ladder with a lower center of gravity. Otherwise, fill the bags on the ground, then winch the full bag up to the top. Then, you'll only need a flat sled with a bottom ledge (perhaps with a few bungie cords holding the bag onto the sled).👍

[@rosscollins2910]

Those bags when full are too heavy to do that. A few would be possible, but not as many as they have to do. Been there and tried that, on a much smaller scale

[@TheOleHermit]

@@rosscollins2910 Yeah, I thought about that, too. The winch cable needs to be tied to the (nearly full) bag. The pulley needs to be high enough to allow the bag to swing around the ladder to the top of the work area. So, the winch is still carrying the weight. With the bag sitting upright (just as it is while currently being filled) untie the winch cable and send up a few more cans of dirt to finish filling it. The ladder then moves to the next work position. Where there's the will, there's a way to figure it out Having been there, you already know that nothing about this work is easy. But, IMHO filling most of the bag on the ground and letting the winch do the lifting is much safer than what they're doing. A can full of dirt falling off that precarious platform onto Jim's head would feel like a sledge hammer.

[@miguelrolonmedina5392]

put small rollers between sled and ladder rail for smoother operation

[@richardross7219]

The winch should go at the top. The way you have it rigged, the top rung feels twice the weight of the lift. Put the winch at the top and forget the pulley for now. The side 2 x 4 s need to be longer to go behind the ladder and cross pieces between both sides so that the lift can't tip back. Good Luck, Rick

[@joshuanicholsjr5327]

cool beans god bless

[@Nerffy]

awesome lift! that ladder will come in handy later too

[@annwithaplan9766]

Good job with the winch! What about putting a wedge shaped piece of wood just under each ladder joint (where it starts on the extension) so that the elevator will have a smooth transition?

[@pyr8at40]

movin on and lookin good

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Great idea 🙏

[@richardburgess399]

take the leftover metal stripping and add some angled braces on the square bottom that faces down and out toward the bottom of the ladder. or you can basically just add angle bracing to every 90-degree angle on it.

[@SatyrGrey]

Some of those chickens look like their ails need clipped, so they aren't dealing with twisted toes. Great job on the winch!

[@carlustownsend7588]

Put couple of rolling wheels under side boards and that will prevent it from trying to topple over and will also stabilize it.

[@Tanks-Link]

Put the winch on the bottom run, And I would extend the top part of the ladder down to the ground so there is no lip as it goes up