Engine Hoist
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Engine Hoist
I'm looking for a good engine hoist for occassional use. I found one at Northern Tool (Northerntool.com) for $199. I looked it over, and its obviously an import -- the brightly painted steel and crude workmanship gives it away. Does anyone have any experience with this hoist? I would probably only use it 3-4 times a year, so I don't need a commercial grade tool. But, it has to be reasonably solid, I'd hate to have it bend the first time I tried it. Any reports on this one, or an alternate would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks !
ford2go
Thanks !
ford2go
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 541
Likes: 0
From: Fleming Ga
Don't know about the particular hoist tou are talking about, but if you are only going to use a few times a year, you should get one of the fold up types that can be folded up and rolled to a corner when not in use. I had one of the non fold up types for years and it was always in the way. Brought a new fold up hoist and now can push it into the corner out of the way.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,113
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From: Remsen, NY
With big safety items the rule of thumb usually is to buy better stuff to be safe. With the engine cranes though I just can't see it. Those things are overbuilt even though they are cheap. I got a cheap one and have used it several times with no problems. Check out Harbor Freight, I saw one for $169 or so last night in my local HF store.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Northwest Indiana
the cheap engine cranes are OK, just stay away from the cheap engine stands. i had a 1000LB Taiwan special and even with a small block on it the crank pulley was heading south. stay away from these or the engine will be on the floor.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
The major thing to watch on thses is the hydraulic cylinder. I bought an Allied a few years back. The frame was great, it's the darn cylinder that failed. I had to buy another at the tune of $80 to get it to work out. I had taken the cylinder back under warranty to just have that one fail as well. It wouldn't go up with a load, kinda the point of having the thing. Make sure to check out the warranty, and keep your receipts
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I have the Harbor Freight 2 ton folding hoist.. works great. Had my 460 and C6 tranny up about 5 ft, at the 1/2 ton setting. (460+C6 is approx 850 lbs).
The only thing I don't like is the leg spread, you can't get an engine stand in there to set the engine on easily. The Pep Boys one I looked at had the square stance legs instead of the HF V shape. Both are folding so its not a storage issue.
Make sure to get one with swivel casters on all corners.. amazing how much you need to move it around when the engine is lifted..
I wish my engine stand (2 ton HF) was the folding leg version.. gotta find some casters to make that mod..
Sam
The only thing I don't like is the leg spread, you can't get an engine stand in there to set the engine on easily. The Pep Boys one I looked at had the square stance legs instead of the HF V shape. Both are folding so its not a storage issue.
Make sure to get one with swivel casters on all corners.. amazing how much you need to move it around when the engine is lifted..
I wish my engine stand (2 ton HF) was the folding leg version.. gotta find some casters to make that mod..
Sam
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
From: Texas Panhandle
I bought one from the traveling chinese tool sale for $100. It's foldable and is more than adequate for home use. I've used it to pull my small-block and trans. and to lift the body off my truck. No complaints.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
Harbor Frieght Hoist
I just used Harbor Frieght's 2 ton folding hoist to lift a 1000 lb. 7.3 diesel out of my 4X4 F350 in the 1/2 ton position and never had any problems. It's foreign made but the workmanship is satisfactory. Had the same problem transfering to the engine stand and had to hang the engine on a chainfall hoist to get it mounted on the stand. I have the engine on the 2 ton Harbor Frieght stand. I also had to build a new engine mount bracket for the stand to fit the 7.3 but the stand itself is well made. I would have been afraid to mount that block on the 1000 lb. stand and roll it around on my shop floor but it looked like the 1000 pound stand would have allowed the transfer directly from the hoist.
Don
Don
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
I have a 1250 lb stand too, the T shape, narrow front wheels, wide at the back... Used it for my son's Miata engine, same problem tho, getting between the hoist legs
I really like the 2000lb stand.. wish it was the folding version tho
Sam
I really like the 2000lb stand.. wish it was the folding version tho
Sam
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Central Ohio
sdetweil, Slide the mounting plate out of the base's collar. Bolt up the plate. Lift pretty high, pick up base and put it back together in the air. Put thick cardboard (unless you don't mind paint scrapes) over the legs of the hoist and let it down slowly and slide it off.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
I would think twice before attempting to slide any engine and stand off the top of the hoist legs onto the floor. Sliding off my hoist would create about a 4" drop and the casters aren't designed for a shock load plus there is the danger of tipping as the move was made. I did think about blocking the stand up, sliding the hoist out, and then jacking the stand down but with a 1000 lb. 7.3 bolted to it I elected to transfer the engine from the hoist to a 2 ton cable puller and then bolt it to the stand. Virtually 100% safe! It only took one evening to put a beam in the attic and place temporary legs under it.