Harbor Freight Cherry Picker and Engine stand

[daveinwestland]

Well, my first post... I read posts everyday here though. I Get a lot of good info on tools. I am considering buying this:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=93840

And this:

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=32915

I know you have to be careful with Harbor Freight stuff but both of these would get limites duty. I am building a 52 roadmaster and need them for the 455 Buick and th400 trans I bought. The motor will be going in and out of the car with no front clip on so...


Any thoughts on the quality of these for the money? I can get the cherry picker for 100 and the stand for 30 bucks.

 

[bmwpower]

Seems to be hit or miss. Others have had success with this engine crane, but I had nothing but problems and ended up taking it back. On mine, the bolt holes didn't match up for the 2 side supports. Some bolts were missing. And the kicker was the ram didn't work.

I ended up getting one at Advanced Auto Parts for like $70 more. Much better quality. Clear directions. Everything works and fitment is great.

 

[1320stang]

That engine stand will be about maxed out for that engine, I think you need to at least step up to the 1000#, 4 wheeled model. That said, the casters on both of those **** big time. I hope you have a nice, smooth, level surface, otherwise you're going to be unhappy. The cherry picker I have is a pain to roll on my concrete driveway, and it's pretty smooth, other than the sandpaper type surface that it has that is typical for concrete outside. I have a engine stand that I built out of 4x4x1/4 tube that will probably hold up your engine with the roadmaster still attached. The casters on it are just some store bought cheapies, no roller bearings, steel wheels, but they roll a lot better than the cherry picker's ones do. I've had friends that have had a ver similar, if not the same engine stand and the casters are the same as the cherry picker, they ****. Also, with just a 302 on that stand, it bounces up and down so bad while rolling it, you think the harmonics will break a weld or bust a bolt.

 

[daveinwestland]

Exactly the input I was looking for guys, THANKS.

I am picking up the motor tomorrow night and the guy also has a engine hoist for sale. Maybe I will take a closer look at that one.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

I can get the cherry picker for 100

Is the crane new or used, there website has it at 129...for a 100 I'd go for it.

 

[daveinwestland]

Is the crane new or used, there website has it at 129...for a 100 I'd go for it.

I got an email flyer with it for 97.99 good through the 14th

 

[MXtras]

I would be careful - especially with the engine stand. The cheap engine stands **** to work on - especially with a larger engine.

HF is good for some things - but not for these kinds of things, though. If you buy a grinder or a sander from HF and it stops working - no big deal. But what if you have a nice, newly rebuilt engine going in and the crane fails......... Not worth the risk.

Buy the good stuff and sell it when you are done if you have no further use for it.

Scott

 

[daveinwestland]

I got an email flyer with it for 97.99 good through the 14th

WHat about the HF Cut off saws?

 

[chevy302dz]

Get their non folding hoist instead, there is much less to go wrong. I've had one for 10 years so far and it's held up pretty well. You could probably get away with that stand, but one with two seperate legs would be much nicer to work with. And remember as with all cheap imported equipment you will want to change out the hardware.

 

[wilbilt]

I have a engine stand that I built out of 4x4x1/4 tube that will probably hold up your engine with the roadmaster still attached.

I hate the bouncy ones...

 

[MarkH]

I have one of the stands, we limit it to V-6's. The larger one we will put small block V-8's on. They are limited to times when the larger ones for the bigger equipment is not available. I had a couple close calls as a young'n and developed a belief in caution to reach an older age.

Cannot comment on the lift, but I have had a cheap one loose it a few years ago and almost got hurt. Now it is that lift can hold a tractor engine, good enough for the car.

 

[evintho]

I've got that same HF model shop crane. The ram blew the seals the first time I used it. I mainly work on turbocharged 4 cyl motors so I'm not lifting a ton of weight. That's really the only substancial problem with the crane, though. Alot of guys buy the better rams from tooltopia.com or toolwarehouse and replace the cheap HF ram. I did see a photo once posted on one of the message boards of some guy lifting a 429 with a HF crane and the main lifting beam bent to a 90* angle! Scary!

If I were you I'd either buy the HF unit and replace the ram or opt for a better quality piece. As far as the stand, I wouldn't even consider that cheap HF stand. That big Buick is a heavy beast! Spend the money and go with a quality engine stand.

 

[RAYJAY]

I've got that same HF model shop crane. The ram blew the seals the first time I used it. I mainly work on turbocharged 4 cyl motors so I'm not lifting a ton of weight. That's really the only substancial problem with the crane, though. Alot of guys buy the better rams from tooltopia.com or toolwarehouse and replace the cheap HF ram. I did see a photo once posted on one of the message boards of some guy lifting a 429 with a HF crane and the main lifting beam bent to a 90* angle! Scary!

If I were you I'd either buy the HF unit and replace the ram or opt for a better quality piece. As far as the stand, I wouldn't even consider that cheap HF stand. That big Buick is a heavy beast! Spend the money and go with a quality engine stand.

was not a HF crane, it was PEP boys brand crane

 

[MAD]

I have a Larin brand Chinese made, Two ton engine picker that I purchased at a wholesale club store. I have pulled a few engines (4+6 cyl.) over the last five years and had no problems. I also have a Larin full size floor jack that has lasted for over ten years so far.

I would not even consider a one ton rated picker. As you extend the boom the load rating is decreased. The HF unit you were looking at is only rated at ¼ ton with the boom fully extended. There are very few cars that do not require you to extend the boom at least half way.

 

[martell06]

so what's a good price for quality crane and where do you guys buy from??

is this "Goodyear" crane the same as the HF unit?

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=184143

 

[burger]

I've owned the engine stand pictured above for about four years. I've had many engines on there -- SBC's, 235 cid inline six, Slant Six, 383 Mopar, etc. I would mount a 455 Buick on it without thinking twice. They're only 80 pounds heavier than a SBC. I think some of the people reading this thread might think the Buick's heavier than it is.


Ed

PS- When I had the sixes on there, I had a 2x6 under the balancer.

 

[1320stang]

I hate the bouncy ones...

The head and the arms are a measily 1/2" thick stock.

 

[MarkH]

From Burger = I've owned the engine stand pictured above for about four years. I've had many engines on there -- SBC's, 235 cid inline six, Slant Six, 383 Mopar, etc. I would mount a 455 Buick on it without thinking twice. They're only 80 pounds heavier than a SBC. I think some of the people reading this thread might think the Buick's heavier than it is.

I think most of us know. But through the last couple of years of this forum I have noticed that most of us have had that close call that makes us think twice. Being safe vs price, being safe wins.

There are things that I do not think twice about overkill. I have seen the results of not doing it.

Welding Helmets
Torches
Any type of lifting device
Any type of stand
Power Tools and a few more.

I would watch my grandfather lift something and the crane would be bowing like I would not believe. He is going "see it will do it". I am going get me out of here, if you are going to loose your other arm in another stupid accident, I do not want to be around. I liked to see 0 deflection in the lifts.

 

[the intimidator]

^^^^^^^^^^^
My father took his truck to one of his buddies places to have a look at a fuel leak. We get their the fellow set's his hoist up get's my dad's truck up in the air all 5800+ pounds of it I go to walk under to have a look with the guy and the one arm of his hoist is bent down at a pretty scary angle It must have been broke before and the guy just welded it back up or something needless to say I stayed back after having a old nissan spit into two above my head I am very cautious with anything like that. I did poke around at the front of the truck for a minute to check out the steering part's and a tie rod end is pretty loose, I think ok just a 30 dollar part no big deal go to the part's store and they want 248$ for a damn tie-rod end just another reason for me to apreacite my "old" chevy truck


moral of my story anything that involves lot's of money newly rebuilt big block a 40 thousand dollar truck, my life or somewon else's who is not so wise spend the money on good quality equiptment you will be glad you did

 

[DirtyTace]

I've owned the lift for over a year. Lifted several engines and my roadster body with it. I've never had a concern. I'm pretty sure my y-block with ****** attached isn't too light and this lift worked without issue. I bought it especially for the fold-up design due to the lack of storage in my garage. It is a ***** to roll due to the fact that all four casters swivel 360 degrees.

It's hard to argue with buying the best (most expensive) available, but if you use it occasionally, are careful and maintain/don't abuse your tools, this is a good buy. If you swap engines for a living, buy the higher quality tool.

P.S. HF also offers a reasonable warranty that will replace the lift no questions asked if you have a problem.

 

[MarkH]

[It's hard to argue with buying the best (most expensive) available, but if you use it occasionally, are careful and maintain/don't abuse your tools, this is a good buy. If you swap engines for a living, buy the higher quality tool.

P.S. HF also offers a reasonable warranty that will replace the lift no questions asked if you have a problem./QUOTE]

There is the understanding that the best is always not feasible, but when you buy certain items, a overkill is not bad. Even if you buy from the less expensive brands, moving from a 2 ton to a 4 ton or more, etc is usually a good move. Tool vendors offer warranties for the tools themselves, they do not cover the cost of fixing or replacing what fell, and what it hit (hopefully not a body part) when it fell.

Having lived in the country in one of the most dangerous occupations all of my life, you learn, it you want to live out your life normally and with all body parts operating, safety becomes job one. So the reccommendation to what seems as over kill to others is natural when you have seen what machines and tools can do when they fail. The bad part from the medical side of my life, it is usually the casual user who I see vs the pro.

 

[daveinwestland]

Ok, I bought a ac delco engine hoist that had no problem moving my 455 and trans around. Now I am back to the stand, I had posted another thread on here asking about the ac delco stands but have since looked at the 2000 pound HF stands and they look pretty decent for 110 bucks. Any feedback on these would be greatly appreciated, I am going to buy one in the next coupe of days.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=4420

 

[...dave]

A dual-leg engine stand is FAR, FAR superior to a single-leg design for moving and working on large, heavy engines. i made the mistake of getting a cheap 3-wheeled stand for my spare Caddy engine, because i'd already maxed myself out buying the car... well, an old Cadillac OHV V-8 is one of the heaviest passenger car engines around, and unless you were pushing the stand in a perfectly straight line, it wanted to tip over. The bouncing didn't inspire much confidence either. Never again!

1320stang! That's the way you do it

 

[daveinwestland]

I bought the 2000 pound stand from HF, and it looks pretty tough. Plus it was an in store special of 90 bucks. One of those rare occasions that HF stuff looks better than the stand I was going to pay 150 for