How to get organ blower down from attic?

[castaway]

I am moving an organ and need suggestions of how to get the 50 year-old blower out of the attic.

The attic is accessed by a trap door 30" by 36" in a hallway ceiling (12' above the floor). The attic floor is covered with plywood, and the roof line (ceiling) of the attic is 15' to 20' above the floor (rather awkward for placement of a block & tackle).

The blower has a 1 hp 440/220 three phase motor which I should be able to remove from the chassis -- if the bolts are not rusted tight. The fan portion is 30" to 36" in diameter (just an estimate). The overall appearance is that of a Spencer.

As a home organist/hobbyist, I have moved two organs prior to this. However, this is the first time I have had to deal with an elevated blower. I have been assured that the blower was installed through the trap door and not before the ceiling's wallboard was applied.

Any suggestions? Thanks - -

[fredy2]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?



Build an A frame gantry from 2 by4 stockto support the block and tackle above the floor over the opening. I would use 2 boards for the beam of the gantry for strength. You could also builda tripod. Make sure the legs of these devices are secured to the flooring!</P>


Use a come-along to lower... make sure the come along has a long enough cable.</P>


When lifting anything, safety is important. No one should be under or trust the lifting hardware.</P>

[Havoc]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?

And put a few extra layers under the legs.

[Guest]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?



You might wish to equip yourself with a gear-puller. You can rent them. I had to remove to large BOBs from an attic last January through a trap door. A block and tackle was used and on that day there was lots of manpower available--I let them take care of it.</p>

Take it apart as much as possible and deal with the situation on a provisional basis--if you really want the blower or the money associated with getting it out--you'll likely figure something out. Necessity is the mother of invention.</p>

[castaway]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?

Thanks to the suggestions here, we lowered the blower from the attic without incident:

1. The blower was separated into pieces: motor, fan housing, frame. The parts were moved close to the trap door.

2. A gantry was fashioned from a heavy-duty multiposition aluminum ladder. The ladder was configured as an inverted "V", so that it straddled the trap door and was of sufficient height to allow clearance for the parts to be lowered.

3. Two two-by-fours were nailed together to form a beam which was positioned between the two top rungs on each side of the ladder.

4. A 1,200 maximum chain come-along was attached to the beam.

5. Two-by-fours were nailed to the floor on each side to keep the ladder's legs from extending outward.

6. A 1,500 lb. maximum limit nylon strap was wrapped tightly around each component and then hooked to the come-along.

7. I stood on the ladder (to keep it from tipping) while the components were drug and hoisted up from the floor next to the gantry and centered over the opening.

8. My brother lowered the blower components onto a dolly below, guided by another brother below (who kept carefully out of the way of the descending components).

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! did you take any pics of the move? would love to see them!

[castaway]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?

Sadly, no pictures. I am so used to writing (unillustrated) linux how-to's that I did not even think about pictures. And my brother, a plant engineer who who routinely moves and lifts 2000 pound pieces of equipment with pull-alongs, was so proud of the gantry he devised for the occasion!

[Guest]

Re: How to get organ blower down from attic?



Using a ladder is a great idea! I'll tuck that away for future reference.</P>


Bob</P>