Best wishes for your successful recovery! Don’t neglect your physical therapy either, the warnings given by other members here are first-hand experiences that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
While you’re recovering, start looking into mechanical means for lifting/moving heavy parts, such as gantries, wheel/hub dollies, jib cranes, etc…. PInterest has hundreds (if not thousands) of great ideas & inspirations for these, many of them homemade (I’ve spend hundreds of hours browsing and reading a few minutes at a time every night to get my eyes tired before bedtime). Last year I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disorder in my lower back, and just recently recovered from rotator cuff surgery in my right shoulder (I blew out my right bicep muscle in same injury, it couldn’t be repaired)….I also had a torn rotator cuff surgically repaired 3 years ago on my left shoulder, and I have always considered myself in pretty good shape.
So I’ve spent considerable time investigating mechanical lifting & movement tools, many of which can be made from salvaged materials, and they have proven themselves to be worthwhile investments of both time and money….your back will thank you!! You’d be amazed at the jibs & cranes that could be fabricated using truck axle hubs as a base.
Get better, but don’t rush anything!
Silverstate55 was spot on here !!!!
I had major surgery on my right shoulder including repairing two bad rotator cuff tears. My left shoulder was just as bad but I retired and haven't used my left arm as much since. So I saved myself the surgery.
I've had 5 major back surgeries, the last included a 8" rod being installed. Ten surgeries on my hands, two knee replacements and elbow surgery.
What I'm trying to say is I've had to rethink the way I do things now. That is why you see my battery tray "slide" retrofit on the Deuce, plus all the other things I've done to make it easier to work on. Like my fuel filters on the outside of the frame rail.
In my shop I installed a 1 ton crane to lift all the heavy junk I work on like those pesky Allison transmissions which can weigh in at over 300 Ibs. I've been retrofitting my equipment for years now because I knew there would come a time when I would not be able to lift or move anything without major help.
As men we don't like to think about "not being able to do things" , but old age and injuries make that a pipe dream. So now your recovering from your back surgery. Now is the time to start thinking about how you need to make your life easier. Be it buying that small power ratchet or impact gun since working a regular ratchet or wrench is to painful, to buying or building a mobile/permanent crane to lift things off the floor to your work bench.
You might think a crane is too expensive an item, but I just installed a 1 ton crane that I bought for $260.00 off an auction a few months ago. With help from my son and a forklift I dismantled it and brought it home. Then rebuilt it, (cleaned off the rust and welded some bad spots, then relubed the bearings) painted it and installed it with the help of my little Kubota tractor.
The first picture shows it installed at the old shop that went out of business.
So start now before you need the help.
