Need a draw bridge or lift gate motor for a section of my deck

[showme]

Hey, this is my first post on this forum, and I've got an oddball problem. My wife and I are rehabbing an old house, and we added a 12x30 deck on the back. There was originally a dormer over the basement door, which is 12' from the corner of the back of the structure. I built a 12'x12' section, left a 32" opening for the basement door, then another 12x16'4" section, who's end is enclosed by the family room addition to the house. I then built a hinged movable section between them, with two wooden braces which swing on bolts, and are cut on the bottoms to fit on to two stationary lag bolts to hold it up when I need in or out. Let me say that the basement is more for storage due to it's low head space and dampness. (Old house).
This section is liftable by anyone with decent strength, but we bought this house to sell, and there will be issues with anyone who is smaller, older or feeble. I'm looking for some sort of motor that I can connect to the bridge and either the foundation wall or a stationary section of the deck, and wire it to a switch that would raise or lower it. Does anyone have any sources of these kinds of motors or lifts, or any other ideas? I appreciate any and all input on this. Thanks!

[Bobby Parks]

Somewhere I saw an article or blog on a way to do this. Showed a neat method for installing a door / raiseable platform similar to what you mention. Too bad my memories going so fast.

I'll look back and re-post if I find it.

Bobby

[C4 chief]

try the jlc magazine .( the jounal of light) I think it might have been in there. the guy used awinch motor but he built the frame out of steel. i think thats where it was . I recently saw that in that last few months. That is the only other magaizne iget besides this old house and this magazine
good luck
c4 chief

[Laurie Elden]

Mike Gabriel, a deck builder in Ohio, wrote an article in the July/August issue of PDB about a winch-powered hatch. You can also check out a Youtube video of the hatch in action.

[ArtDeck-O]

Wow....perfect solution to a big problem...gonna have to remember that one!

[showme]

Thanks for the info, all! Great site and really good visuals and explanations! But I think I'd like to try something a little different, such as AC instead of DC, which would be lower maintainance, and easier since I have electric access right inside the basement door. Also, I was thinking more of a direct drive gear-driven type of set up. The thought of cable failure (ouch!), not to mention the lubrication of pulleys and keeping everything cleared of 'stuff' that might get bound up in it, would be a little high maintainence for some.
My bridge section is 32"x 6'6", with a 2x10" perimeter fascia board backed up by a 2x8" that ties into a 2x8" lengthwise board down the center for support of the 2x6" deck boards. Then (2) 2x4"'s down each edge that set down on two more 2x4's that are attached to the the stationary 2x10"s of the two larger deck sections. The deck support runners mentioned above are screwed into another 2x8" at the rear of the bridge, creating a rectangular frame for the deck boards, and two galvanized gate hinges on the rear. I have a swing gate balluster section that swings away on 2 hinges that will attach to the 4x4 post on one side of the opening to allow the bridge to rise, and keep the inspector happy. But something more of a ram type or threaded gear set up is what I'm aiming for. No doubt, the one shown is a great idea, but a lot of things that could cause problems. I can imagine a kid getting their fingers in those cable pulleys. I'm an Ironworker, and crane cables and winch cables are unforgiving.

[ArtDeck-O]

Sounds like the solution you want has yet to be invented...let us know what you come up with.

For the current solution, that's a supervision issue. That said I don't know of too many kids who would stick their hands in a pulley. All you would need is a simple lock to prevent unauthorized use.

[showme]

I'm checking with Grainger's catalog, and a few other places. I'm also thinking of the same concept of a powered auto window regulator. The main thing would be a reversible AC motor, geared low for torque and speed.
It's not just the kids, but the plants, pets and dirt and rust. I just don't want anymore exposed moving parts than necessary. I believe the cable\pulley system is ok, but there's too much exposed to the weather for me. I want mine as "direct-drive" as possible.
As far as the kid thing goes, better safe than sorry. No one intentionally would do it, but grown working men who are aware of the dangers accidentally get fingers caught in the sheave of a crane or chain fall all the time. To me, that would be like leaving a bare electric line open. Mainly, though, it's just too many possible problems. As soon as I come up with something, I'll post it. Lee

[ArtDeck-O]

Yeah I hear ya. Today's kids don't hang out outside and are mostly clueless to danger....not to mention some adults!

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[htroberts]

Originally Posted by showme

I'm checking with Grainger's catalog, and a few other places. I'm also thinking of the same concept of a powered auto window regulator. The main thing would be a reversible AC motor, geared low for torque and speed.

It sounds like you're describing a bascule bridge, with a couple of sector gears driven by a motor. If it's counterweighted correctly, the motor shouldn't really need much torque.

Although this sounds like a lot of fun, I think the risk of failure causing injury is too high. In my jurisdiction, this would require a permit & inspection, which probably means an engineered (sealed) design.