Thanks Don
I will try the two pry bar method a shot. Ive only tried hitting it with a dead blow hammer. I purchased mine used, and I suspect it may have chips and swarf lodged down there. I did find out the hard way one time that it not a good idea to turn the crane upside down, as the chain can get snagged up. I did get it sorted out by shaking the crane up and down a bunch of times. That seemed to be the fix for that one time anyway.
Ill see if I can get it out. I would love to have a floor mount base like you have built. I would be really handy to have the floor mount base close to the mill. As it stands now, I have to bolt the crane to the mill table, and that works fine, but rather have the floor base like yours.
I have found the Sky -Hook a back saver big time. I have chucks for the lathe up to 12 inch, and the crane makes easy work changing out chucks or loading heavy materials in the lathe chuck. On the milling machine, its just as handy for rotary tables. Mine is 12 inch, plus the chuck, not sure what it weighs, but I know its too heavy for me to handle without the Sky-Hook.
Between the Sky-Hook, and the hydraulic lift cart, I don't lift chucks, vises, R/Ts, to name a few. You will come to love that little crane in a short time.