10 gallon gravity system

[Beer Baron]

I am attempting to design a 10 gallon gravity system and would like some advice...

I am planning on batch sparging in a rectangular cooler with a braid at the bottom. I recently came across a free galvanized steel platform for a hot water heater. It is sturdy enough for my 250 lb ass to jump up and down on it. I think it will support my burner and a cooler. I was thinking if I had some sort of winch, pulley or hoist, I could have a HLT on the turkey fryer on the platform, gravity drain to the cooler on the platform, and gravity drain to a 15 gallon kettle on the ground. After sparging, I would use the lifting thing to raise the kettle up enough to slide the turkey fryer underneath for the boil. Once it is boiled and cooled, I could use the lift to raise the kettle up enough to drain to a fermenter. Does anyone else use a lifting mechanism for a gravity system? I have a sturdy patio cover with 6"x8" beams and 4"x4" legs that could probably support the weight...

I was thinking something like this...

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-chain-hoist-996.html

Might this work? What do you all think?

[edisonst]

I know its not what you want to hear....used march pump on craigslist. I do 10 gallon batch sparges and cant lift the full weight without assistance.(at least not without blowing out my asshole) My wife was willing to buy the pump as long as she did not have to help lift on brew day. You can still use the stand, just let the pump do the lifting.

[edisonst]

I know its not what you want to hear....used march pump on craigslist. I do 10 gallon batch sparges and cant lift the full weight without assistance.(at least not without blowing out my asshole) My wife was willing to buy the pump as long as she did not have to help lift on brew day. You can still use the stand, just let the pump do the lifting.

[Pericles]

I agree with the pump suggestion - or at least think that your idea is a dangerous one. Lifting 10 gallon pots of hot water, even at pre-boil temperatures, sounds like it's ripe for disaster. The fewer moving parts the better.