Building homes efficiently is all about having the right tools to make the job easier. Power tools can be a big help; so, too, can having the right kinds of job-site equipment. Manufacturers are stepping up with old and new offerings to meet this need.
High-Jax from Star, Idaho-based Skyhook Industries is one such new product. Developed by a framing contractor, the roof-mounted braces attach to trusses and framing members to create a stable platform that eliminates the need for framing crews to lift and carry individual panels to the roof. The platform holds up to 3,100 pounds or 65 sheets of 7/16-inch roof plywood or oriented strand board panels. In addition, the platform provides a cutting surface so that sheathing does not have to be passed back down for cutting.
Warn Industries in Clackamas, Ore., offers an old idea in a new line of winches for the construction site. The manufacturer's AC and DC winches are designed for pulling and lifting walls, rafters, and other types of heavy construction equipment typically found on a jobsite. The winches offer a pulling capacity from 1,700 to 4,700 pounds, and they can either be hooked up to a car battery or can be plugged into an outlet.
"There is a safety as well as an efficiency aspect to the product," says Scott Salmon, business and product development manager at Warn. "It frees up workers to do other jobs, because you can pull more with less." The winches, Salmon says, also help reduce potential workers' compensation claims arising from mishaps that can occur when workers are lifting heavy items.
Pulling punches: This line of winches for the construction industry offers a 3,700-pound pulling capacity for a variety of tasks that include moving construction equipment, raising walls, or placing rafters or beams. The winch has a 1.9-hp engine and a multidirectional clutch lever for powering in and out and for easy spooling, the company says. The winch includes a remote-control unit with a 12-foot cord. Warn Industries. 800-543-9276. www.warnworks.com.
Ditch digger: The Ditch Witch mini excavator can dig to a depth of 4 feet 11 inches and has a digging reach of almost 12 feet. It has a capacity of 493 pounds and can dump to heights of 6 feet 6 inches. The manufacturer says the excavator is easy to use, easy to maintain, and can accommodate different attachments for a wide variety of construction applications. The Charles Machine Works. 800-654-6481. www.ditchwitch.com.
Field work: Model 119 Portable Field Station is a movable multi-use workstation that incorporates a desk, shelving, and storage for the jobsite. Storage accessories include a nine-hook steel pegboard, a hard-hat bracket, and a 19-inch-long shelf. In addition, the cabinet top has 7/8-inch holes that can accept electrical fittings to add a power outlet if needed. The cabinet has a total storage capacity of 115.2 cubic feet and has a lock system to prevent theft. Knaack Manufacturing. 800-456-7865. www.knaack.com.
High jax: Made from lightweight aluminum, High-Jax roof-mounted braces secure to roof trusses and framing members to create a stable platform that holds up to 3,100 pounds or 65 sheets of 7/16-inch roof plywood or oriented strand board panels. The manufacturer says the braces create a platform that eliminates the need for framing crews to lift and carry individual panels to the roof. Skyhook Industries. 877-759-4665. www.high-jax.com. For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley-Wood's interactive product catalog.
