Hitch mounted game hoist?

jgz

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How do I get my hands on one of those game hoists that mount on a 2" hitch receiver? I've used two of them that belong to friends of mine and need my own. I don't weld, so home fabrication is out. I've only found 1 company that makes 'em and the won't ship to Canada! I'm in the Prince Albert SK area.
 
Go to any welding shop worth its salt and ask them to make you one. Princess auto has some nice options for winches if you want to go that route. My boss has a really nice one he had made up a couple years ago. 12v winch, some square tubing, a pulley, and a swivel point in the centre. Pretty simple really.
 
http://www.texasboars.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5989

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I was just looking at this stuff today. Princess Auto has one for about $200, but it is not a hitch mount. I think it has a base that you permanently mount in the truck. It also weighed over 100 lbs. Not exactly what I am looking for.

I did find one in Texas that was made with Aluminum and weighed 30Lbs. Not sure if they ship to Canada though, as I haven't contacted them. They do have a hitch mount too.
http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Spitzlift/
 
Build one up out of aluminum, bolted together.

Got woodworking tools? Bandsaw? Hand drill? Skilsaw?

A "wood" bandsaw blade does a nice job on aluminum plate and tube.

Bolted together looks a little frankenstien beside a welded one, but will work, and is easy to accomplish on a limited tool selection.

Cheers
Trev
 
Building is the way to go! I built my first one 5 or so yrs ago, and this year I redesigned it to weigh less, and lift more.... I dont go hunting without one anymore.
 
I'd make a couple of legs you can optionally add to support the weight on the ground. That could be a lot of leverage on a receiver hitch if you lift anything heavier than a couple of men could lift.
 
I'm almost positive that the shear strength of the 2" tube, the 5/8s hitch pin, and the grade 8 bolts holding the hitch on are WAY more then anything that 2 guys could lift. If the welds are solid and things are gusseted in the right place, you could probably lift a moose. I'd put money on it.
 
I have made almost 50 of them. First one was about 12 years ago. 2" square some 2 3/8 tubing and 1 1/2 pipe for the rest and a winch from princess auto. Some of the guys I have built them for have used them around the farm for alot of other things too. I wrecked two cheap winch's on my own, first one on a moose and the second on an elk. If you ever make it to zone 2 contact me.
 
I have made almost 50 of them. First one was about 12 years ago. 2" square some 2 3/8 tubing and 1 1/2 pipe for the rest and a winch from princess auto. Some of the guys I have built them for have used them around the farm for alot of other things too. I wrecked two cheap winch's on my own, first one on a moose and the second on an elk. If you ever make it to zone 2 contact me.


Do you have any plans or other tips that would be helpful?
 
If it is worth using, it is probably also worth padlocking!

For the record, these lifts are worthwhile. Instead of just roping a back leg, use with a gambrel like ( https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=3743 ) to open up the pelvis.

My hunting party found that the fastest deer technique was to drive to the downed animal. While the shooter slit the belly and started to field dress out the guts of HIS deer, the others rigged up the hoist. Then spike the rear tendons with the gambrel, and saw off the lower legs while it is still touching the ground. We remove the head and hide while the carcass is still warm, and wrap in cheesecloth right away. Then back to huntin'!
 
Do you have any plans or other tips that would be helpful?

Take your time and weld prep everything. Grind bevels on all of the edges that you are going to weld. Don't just weld square to square. You get better/more penetration with the bevels then without. That, and it's stronger. And don't skimp out on your mounting hardware eaither. Do it all right the first time and it'll never break down on you when you count on it the most.
 
Similar concept, but maybe easier to find or assemble.

I was busted up in the army a few years back and have trouble lifting my deer. My brother-in-law installed a 2000lb quad winch in the back of my truck box. Found the winch for $100 at Princess Auto and a chunk of scrap plate steel to reinforce the box. He welded in additional support brackets so that a really hefty carcass would not tear the winch from its foundations. Installation took about 40 minutes and included a remote for the winch. I disconnect the tailgate cables so that the tailgate itself acts as a bit of a ramp. Works great.
 
I've got a decent welding / fabricating shop in my home garage.
I live In Birch Hills, something like this is right up my alley.
Owen
 
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