Cherry picker/engine hoist caster replacement/upgrades

[upper_tanker]

I had a very nice cherry picker many moons ago. I didn't use it for years, so I gave it to a friend. I recently realized having one again would be helpful to me. I was shocked at the price tag of new ones these days, so I found a used 6 wheel (all swivel), 2 ton on marketplace for a really good deal.

One of the casters are bent at the plate. It will NOT swivel with weight on it. The bearings in all of them are pretty beat/rusted. I am done messing with them. This took me down the "engine hoist caster" rabbit hole. I have spent at least an hour searching and reading about suitable casters for a 2 ton hoist. I am mostly finding cheap 200-350lb (each caster) capacity ones from Amazon/HF. I would like to stay as cheap as possible but am willing to pay for casters that will not make me hate using the hoist.

I was reading that increasing the size from the 3.5(?) wheel to 6+ is a good upgrade, but it seems like that would make it more unstable since it would have a higher center of gravity. I've also read that it's better to have 2 fixed wheels in the front and to have the swivels as the rear 4.

Can you fine people PLEASE help me to end this torture of wasting my time and getting (or feeling like I'm getting) nowhere? LOL

 

[finn]

If the casters are too tall the front legs won’t fit under a car in some cases. I ran into the situation on a couple of occasions. Usually low hanging exhaust.

 

[mikedodge]

The front wheels on mine are fixed. I can see how it would make it easier to move around with a load on it since it follows where you're pushing from the back but it ***** when you're trying to position it actually doing the work. I bought it new on sale.

 

[y'sguy]

Yep, I hear you. I had the same situation. I vote to keep a similar wheel height as others have mentioned. Just find caster solid metal casters with good bearings. The thing is, I have found that I will use my hoist for lifting all kinds of other stuff too. Why ruin your back? Too late for me. But, they are really handy for loading other stuff in the back of a vehicle and such, or pulling a post out of the ground. This time, I am not giving another engine hoist away.

 

[tarbellb]

eBay is your friend when it comes to deals on good casters

be sure to click the "used" button
or search "NOS"

 

[BurtEggley]

mcmaster carr had many last time I checked.

 

[whateg01]

Casters on engine hoists are extremely over rated. The thin web will not withstand side loading. I dropped a 2500# table because one broke. My bad since I made the front ones no swivel. I've since replaced them with pallet jack wheels which roll so much easier, but still no swivel. If you look at steel casters rated for the weight the engine hoist could hold, you'll find they are much thicker and also not cheap. But if I was going to use swivel casters there, I would suggest going that route. Also note that casters on Amazon that are $25 for a set of 4 are also over rated.

 

[NOEYEZ]

I had a very nice cherry picker many moons ago. I didn't use it for years, so I gave it to a friend. I recently realized having one again would be helpful to me. I was shocked at the price tag of new ones these days, so I found a used 6 wheel (all swivel), 2 ton on marketplace for a really good deal.

One of the casters are bent at the plate. It will NOT swivel with weight on it. The bearings in all of them are pretty beat/rusted. I am done messing with them. This took me down the "engine hoist caster" rabbit hole. I have spent at least an hour searching and reading about suitable casters for a 2 ton hoist. I am mostly finding cheap 200-350lb (each caster) capacity ones from Amazon/HF. I would like to stay as cheap as possible but am willing to pay for casters that will not make me hate using the hoist.

I was reading that increasing the size from the 3.5(?) wheel to 6+ is a good upgrade, but it seems like that would make it more unstable since it would have a higher center of gravity. I've also read that it's better to have 2 fixed wheels in the front and to have the swivels as the rear 4.

Can you fine people PLEASE help me to end this torture of wasting my time and getting (or feeling like I'm getting) nowhere? LOL

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