Hi,

Newbie here. I have two trucks(48-F6 & 63-M37) in need of engine work. Neither vehicle fits in my garage so I need to do the engine pull in my yard. Yesterday I bought a shop crane from HF. It's a 2-ton I got for $120. A great deal, but when I got it home I realized that I have an 8n sitting in the garage and I have a boom for the 3-point. My question is, is it realistic to think I can pull an engine with the boom & 8n tractor or am I missing something(like common sense?). I've never pulled an engine before and not sure if I would just make a mess of it with the tractor.

On the M37<dodge> the engine gets lifted a few inches and then is pulled out the front along with the radiator etc. Could this been done on my F6? It would save having to remove the hood and the radiator has to come out anyhow. What would you guys think of pulling the ford out the front? Thanks.

 

I think the easiest thing to do is pull the entire front end as a unit, there are only 8 bolts that hold the whole thing on. It will be a lot more work to than just removing the grill.

 

Thanks Bob. You mean the entire front end? Sounds heavy. I guess I could use the tractor to do the heavy lifting. Still there's the heater in the wheel well and some electrical to be pulled. I'll have to take a look.

 

Does your 8n have enough hydraulics to lift 600lbs? I am not sure, just something to consider.

 

If your tractor boom pole is long enough to go back to the center of the engine and lift straight up I am guessing the front wheels on the tractor will come up. That's 8' or so behind the rear wheels and thats a lot of leverage.
I have a case tractor larger than a 8n and it will lift the front tractor wheels on a 8 foot boom pole with a straight 8 Pontiac engine which will be about the same weight. I think you will need front end weights to do it.
Larry

 

Good point, I was concerned about the weight not because it couldn't lift it, although that's a valid point, I was concerned about the weight transfer and have the 8n wheels in front lift off the ground. The original plan was to get the shop crane and add some 10" casters so that it could go across the yard without digging in. Maybe that's still the best way to go. Thanks Colin.

Larry

 

Larry, kinda what I was wondering in last note and you confirmed it. There is a little weight in front with the tires filled, but nothing close to what seems to be needed. Wanted to keep the lift low to help with that. The tractor and boom may just be the wrong tool for the job. Would've been nice to have the tractor do the work. Thanks.
Larry

 

You could sure give the 8n a try and see if it will pick it up
It might be that only a small amount of weight would keep the front end down.
If you started lifting the engine and the tractor wheels started up you can always let it down. If you had a couple of 150 to 200 lb people around to strand on the front axle I bet it would do ok.
Also keep in mind your 3 point will not lift the boom pole straight up on the end, it swings the weight toward the back of the tractor as you lift the boom.
The boom pole lifts in a arc, not straight up.

 

Larry, the tractor idea has some issues, but it still could work and I'll give it a shot. Just that one last question. Do you see any issue with using 10" pneumatic casters on a shop crane as a back up plan. I have to cross a gravel driveway and the little casters that usually come with a crane are going to get stuck along the way to the garage. Thanks.

Larry

 

I would think the larger wheels would work.
Also once the engine is on the ground I would bet you could chain the engine close to the 3 point and lift it ok with the boom pole. Your leverage point would be closer to the tractor and allow you to life more weight and keep the front wheels on the ground.
I am not very familiar with the 8n lift ability but closer to the tractor I bet it would pick it up fine.
You could use the engine lift to get it out of the truck and the tractor to transport it to your garage. Good luck what ever you decide.
Larry

 

The shop crane would be safer, with 1'x1'x1/4" steel plates under the casters it has. It will give you more control than the tractor. Can you move the truck backwards after lifting the engine, so you don't have to roll the crane?

 

if you have some, 3/4 plywood under the hoist casters (2 sheets) will allow you to turn it around and plop it into a pickup bed to get it to the shop floor and then pick it back up again..

did that here in the yard pulling engine and tranny from a van that didn't move. (with the hf 2 ton hoist)
and pull the front clip.. SO much easier..

Sam

 

Just be careful moving the engine around with the crane; I have a similar crane and it started going over on me with a 6-cyl 200 ( a light engine) 5' in the air. HF doesn't put a lot of rigidity in the crane, if the load gets off-center you will be in trouble. After that incident I welded the crane pieces together (it is a knock-down model). Much stiffer.

 

Well ya definitely gotta be careful and know a little bit about what your doing, Pard, but I've seen a lot of em picked up with the front end of a Ford N FEL.
I've yanked em with a small forklift, tractors or a virtual plethera of homemade engine hoists and gadgets. There have probably been more yanked out with a chain around a limb on a shade tree than anything else. Lol...slim

 

Using the pole - make sure you hav something to raiseand lower the motor besides the boom itself