HF Engine hoist 1T/2T difference?

[67CarGuy]

Does anyone know if there are any material differences between the 1T and 2T engine hoists that HF sells, other than the hydraulic ram?
1 ton folding shop crane

2 ton folding shop crane

I realize for buying new, a $70 difference (before the current coupon, $50 difference with the coupon) makes it an easy choice for me. I'd get the 2T every time. I've already purchased the 8T air/hydraulic ram... might have been a cart / horse scenario, but it's water under the bridge now. But I'm looking at some used 1T hoists, and if I can just change out the ram and be at the 2T rating that'd be great.

Are the tubing sizes the same? Different casters? Smaller overall dimensions? Or really just the ram and the labeling on the boom?

 

[vjquan]

Don't know about the tubing thickness differences, but the boom length is quite a bit shorter on the 1T.

 

[67CarGuy]

Aha - good to know, thanks. I'll probably swing by my local HF and see what I can see, too.

 

[BukitCase]

As a user/fixer of several HF tools INCLUDING 2 of their 2 ton cherry pickers -

Have you EVER known HF to use HEAVIER materials than absolutely necessary for the item to (barely) meet their claims??!?

Just sayin'... Steve

 

[Kent_B]

Aha - good to know, thanks. I'll probably swing by my local HF and see what I can see, too.

I have the 1 ton, but if I had to do it over again, I'd get the 2 ton just for the added boom length.

 

[vjquan]

I had the 1T and pulled a Nissan V6 out of a pickup and it barely reached. Nissan pickups have a short nose!

 

[Jswain]

Realistically you should get a 2t and never lift more than 1t with it...

If buying used it's worth it to wait for the style that all folds up compact, not the one that slides in

 

[67CarGuy]

Realistically you should get a 2t and never lift more than 1t with it...

If buying used it's worth it to wait for the style that all folds up compact, not the one that slides in

Agreed on the used folding style, as I don't have room for a fixed leg version. With the shorter ram in the 1t, I'm not seeing much of an argument towards getting that one vs the 2t. Might just have to go ahead and jump on the current sale!

 

[metlmunchr]

I've got the 2T one from HF. It has enough reach that I was able to use it to remove the 6 1/2 ft bed from my K1500 Chevy pickup. Had to remove the rear bumper first to get close enough, but with that done I was able to lift at the center of the bed. I don't really care about the 2T capacity as I've got plenty of stuff much better suited for lifting heavy things. It was the reach of the boom that made it an easy choice over the lighter one.

ETA:. I already had the HF 8 ton air over hydraulic ram on a tube bender, so I switched that over to the hoist anytime I use it where one free hand and the ability to move closer to the load is worthwhile.

 

[Desertskyy]

I have the folding leg 2T crane/hoist. Works well

I did have to add hydraulic fluid to the ram though. I had read that that was an issue when buying new so when I bought the crane/hoist I also picked up some hydraulic fluid.

An air powered ram would be nice

I have used it to pull my boat motor in the past

 

[Renegade1LI]

I would wait for a sale or coupon & get the 2 ton.

 

[Jagmandave]

I have had both, currently I am using the 1 ton as the motors I lift are only about 350 lbs fully dressed. One small difference - the 2T had a handle across the back so it was easier to maneuver - the 1 T doesn't. also, the longer boom means longer legs too and the spread is different - the 2T's longer legs fouled under my scissor lift and made it difficult to use. The shorter reach of the 1T can be a compromise too.....also the 1T fits in a smaller footprint once folded.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have a 1 ton and 2 ton. The 1 ton I got first and bought it used. It works OK but the 2 ton is way better and I use it 99% of the time. It feels much more sturdy and the reach comes in handy. I used the one ton one once while picking up a DT436 to put on my engine stand to overhaul. It worked but I went out and bought the 2 ton and used it to take it off the stand.

 

[ATC]

Getcha a Rol-A-Crane! I'm confident this thing could pick up a whole truck...

Don't mind the yard truck it's on...

 

[67CarGuy]

That Rol-A-Crane looks like a beast! Sadly I need the folding capabilities, nor do I have pickup truck to mount one in.... not yet, anyways!

 

[Mr_B]

2T as it far more usable/safe .
1T okay for very light duty stuff and those with minimal space but it not a nice bit of equipment even more so when a poor quality example .

 

[sz0k30]

I've helped pull & install quite a few engines. They were all engine/trans combos. Most of them were big blocks with big automatics. So depending on the cars you are working on, don't even consider the 1 ton hoists - not enough capacity and nowhere near the length of the extended boom.

A couple of the cars were an early 70's Grand Prix and Monte Carlo. Those hoods and grilles are so long and the engines so far back, that even the length of the 2 ton boom wasn't really long enough.