HI. And thanks for looking at my question... I want to build an over head crane in my shop the H beams are 6.5 x 4 x 1/4 the span will be 40' with 16' upright h beams of the same size on each end... The question is how much weight will this hold?? I'm looking for around 1 ton...

Only one ton,not much weight!

A forty foot span will have considerable deflection on its spread,even with gussets and 45 degree knee bracing the span might need some upper support.

I am not a structural engineer,(father was mechanical).

I would talk with a truss company or structural architectural firm before going too far.

Best of luck,

Ken

OK thanks my main concern will be in the webbing... I can tie back into the building on top every ten feet to support the downward pull of the weight as it travels across the beam

Good luck,Maybe when a few more check in they will have some more ideas,

Ken

Need answer

Is it a wide flange or standard beam? Meaning is the web flat or tapered. You could check with a company that sells structural steel and they can tell you what weight the beam will hold at that span. You could always stitch weld a channel to the top of the beam to reinforce it. 40 feet is a long span for that weight. I don't think your beam will hold the weight safely.

First I will need the material information. Is this a bridge crane? Or what type.. a decent skecth would help? What are the support beams on... is its cement slab.. I'm thinking you will need to reinforce the base... need spcs or cut sheets of the hoist... for a naïve calc you can treat it as a cantilever beam first... the I beams generally twist in torsion before bending... and the deflection would be greatest at the point of force (1 ton), where your lifting it.. in the center if your lifting it in the center.. but I would be more weiry of the base.. the reastion forces could buckle the upright beams... :cool: