I'm looking for a engine hoist with folding legs to save space, I'd prefer a 2 ton but a 1 ton will work fine, but what I'm really looking for is who makes one with the highest lift height? I need it for working on a lifted truck and also use as a shop crane so max lift height is pretty important. I don't really want to spend $1500+ for a jib crane and hanging a lift from the ceiling doesn't work for my garage.
I need a engine hoist
- Thread starter Hundojoe
- Start date
Strouty
Well-known member
I think I am having DEJAVU?
sberry
Banned
The 2 ton one from Harbor freight is the unit. The higher ton rating means a larger unit. I don't know about lifted trucks but they work good and should likely be the first piece of rigging equipment a guy owns along with the 4 ton model wire cumalong.
Strouty
Well-known member
Strouty if you read the other thread, I was asking about a shop crane, now after looking at my options I have decided to get an engine hoist with folding legs. But apparently you missed the part in my new thread where I'm specifically asking who make a engine hoist with the highest lift height
GarageWarrior
Well-known member
I'd advise against folding hoist. With non-folding hoist you can break it down in 10-15 min, so it's actually more compact to store, plus non-folding ones are typically more stable and have higher lift.
coby65
Well-known member
After many years of working on lifted vehicles I can give you some advice.
Go and purchase the HF hoist, had mine for 6 years with no issues.
Then what ever truck or jeep you are working on keep a set of stock rims/tires around so you can bolt them on to lower the vehicle to get the engine out.
With lifted vehicles you will always need to do work around to get the engine out an even possibly removing the grill and radiator support.......don't ask me how I know!
Go and purchase the HF hoist, had mine for 6 years with no issues.
Then what ever truck or jeep you are working on keep a set of stock rims/tires around so you can bolt them on to lower the vehicle to get the engine out.
With lifted vehicles you will always need to do work around to get the engine out an even possibly removing the grill and radiator support.......don't ask me how I know!
csp
Well-known member
You don't even need an extra set of wheels/tires. Pull the big tires off and set the front down as low as you can get it on jackstands.
Big Bad Dad
Well-known member
I sometimes let the air out of the front tires on my truck when I need to work on something toward the back of the engine. 
mikester
Well-known member
I bought a fold up Torin and it works well for my needs. I called Torin and found out they make all of the hoists for Pep Boys, Advanced Auto, NAPA and Auto Zone. Just painted different colors. In my opinion they are built a little nicer than the HF hoists.
signcrafter
Well-known member
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- May 9, 2012
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This.
When I am pulling an engine or putting one back in I just take the tires off and lower the front end all the way down until the rotors are just off the ground. I will use blocking just to help keep it stable while climbing around and pushing things around. I keep the jack under the truck because usually you'll need to lift it up and down a bunch of times as you are working the engine into place and getting everything lined up and bolted in place.
Strouty
Well-known member
I did not miss anything.
Half of your other thread was dedicated to people telling you get an engine hoist. There was great info in the other thread, you should have kept going with it. That is all, no harm done, just my observation.
Strouty
Well-known member
Here is my post from the other thread:
I think the engine hoist would work well. The reason I asked all the questions was to make sure you weren't trying to load really bulky things. An engine hoist is tippy if you are not careful. Even the fold up ones take up a good amount of space.
I have one that is very rugged and I think you could find a used one for under $250. It is a knock down version, so it can be completely disassembled in about 3 minutes. They make a stand that holds everything, but I have yet to find one. I can easily put it in my station wagon and when it is assembled, it is very stable. They rate it at 1500 pounds. This link is from a rental place, but you get the idea.
Bluebird hoist
I think the engine hoist would work well. The reason I asked all the questions was to make sure you weren't trying to load really bulky things. An engine hoist is tippy if you are not careful. Even the fold up ones take up a good amount of space.
I have one that is very rugged and I think you could find a used one for under $250. It is a knock down version, so it can be completely disassembled in about 3 minutes. They make a stand that holds everything, but I have yet to find one. I can easily put it in my station wagon and when it is assembled, it is very stable. They rate it at 1500 pounds. This link is from a rental place, but you get the idea.
Bluebird hoist
Strouty
Well-known member
No problem. I knew what you were getting at. It is nice to keep threads tight. Then when people search there is a lot of info in one spot.
* I am conveying my true thoughts telepathically *
sberry
Banned
Not all of them are the same, some have a heavier tube like the HF does and its designed well. Its an advantage of 2 ton models, usually thicker steel.
Strouty
Well-known member
My brother has one that has the ability to move the ram on both up and down stroke of the handle, it is very nice, half the work to get it to where you need it. I do not know what that style ram is called, but I am sure someone does. I always wanted to buy a ram like that. Just more food for thought.
LEVE
Well-known member
I've had a HF 2 ton folding hoist for over a decade with no problems. Prior to that I had a Northern Tool 2 ton folding hoist for over a decade; also, no problems with the hoist. I've pulled engine/transmissions/transfer cases with it. I've lifted the front of my Jeep and a Caravan. I've hoisted off the body from my CJ7. It's been a good buy and I'd not be with one. Just a couple of months ago I took the hoist into the house and lifted a 46" LCD into place 4' in the air to a wall mount. It sure made that job easy.
Yep, in case you're wondering, I like 'em.
Yep, in case you're wondering, I like 'em.
To all that have purchased the harbor freight engine hoist, I've looked at them online and have read the reviews and the common complaint is that multiple bolt holes don't line up, I'm not against harbor freight but I have a problem with having to rework something that brand new out of the box. Have any of you that own a harbor freight hoist had this problem?
Strouty
Well-known member
It is a common problem with import products. They tend to have quality control issues. The best item that was made in China that I assembled was the topside creeper, it was flawless. A lot of times, they make the bolts in house as well, so they can be a little odd. I am guessing you don't have a HF near you? It may be worth a trip just to see them. Another place we have bought them reasonably was advance auto parts, I think you could use some of the discounts they offer too.
csp
Well-known member
Never had a problem with the bolt holes in mine. I take it apart so it's stored as compactly as possible as well.
I just purchased a 2 ton model today, put it together in a casual hour or so. The only problems I had putting it together were 1) I don't have any wrenches or sockets for the M18 bolt/nut that attaches the boom, so I had to use two adjustable wrenches. (Didn't even need to use my 15" adjustable I got from Epsteins though..
), and 2) the interior bolts for the large wheels are a nuisance to put on, since they're close to the limit of my finger reach inside the tubing. As far as hole alignment is concerned, zero problems with that. Just follow the advice that is repeated multiple times in the reviews at Harbor Freight. Don't tighten any of the bolts up until after you have ALL the bolts in place. Actually, you tighten all the caster bolts first, but that's unlikely to be wear folks have problems.The above response, in full knowledge that the OP has likely decided for/against the HF unit by now, is provided for others who may stumble across this thread.
I think our engine hoist came from Northern Tool. It's black, and rated for 2-tons. We've had it for nearly a decade now and it has been flawless. It has pulled many, many big blocks, axles, transmissions, etc...
It even lifted the rear of a Chevy 3500 off the ground so we could swap rear axles.
I'm not sure of the lifting height....but while pulling the 460 out of my '78 F150 with 4" of lift and 35" tires...we had to deflate the tires to get the oil pan to clear the core support (If you don't know, the old Ford's core support rose up pretty high in the center)
It even lifted the rear of a Chevy 3500 off the ground so we could swap rear axles.
I'm not sure of the lifting height....but while pulling the 460 out of my '78 F150 with 4" of lift and 35" tires...we had to deflate the tires to get the oil pan to clear the core support (If you don't know, the old Ford's core support rose up pretty high in the center)
The biggest problem with engine hoists is the need to have the legs under the lifted item so the whole thing doesn't tip forward. Not a big problem for pulling an engine, but can be for other crane uses. A buddy modified his to use the front of his jeep as a counter weight for those times. Expect you could also use a receiver hitch on a truck in the same way. Prevents moving the hoist around while using it, but sometimes all you need to do is pick something up where the legs get in the way.
zcar751
Well-known member
I have a HF foldable lift that has worked fine for me over the last 5 years. As to pulling a engine from a lifted truck I would say you better plan on pulling the grill and radiator support.
While looking of for a car lift I ran across this neat looking unit but don't have any details. http://www.redlinestands.com/catalo...ffman-mini-lift-engine-hoist-attachment-p-738
Most one ton hoist give you about 80" +/- and two ton units get you about 10 more inches. I have seen the same Torin stand advertised with different lift heights so I think it is dependent on who is measuring.
While looking of for a car lift I ran across this neat looking unit but don't have any details. http://www.redlinestands.com/catalo...ffman-mini-lift-engine-hoist-attachment-p-738
Most one ton hoist give you about 80" +/- and two ton units get you about 10 more inches. I have seen the same Torin stand advertised with different lift heights so I think it is dependent on who is measuring.
laser3kw
Well-known member
I got my Torin from the local Farm and Fleet. Great hoist. Although I wish they had swivel front caster. Steering them is a *****
At the time it was cheaper (by $20) than the HF model. They were the same specs, tonnage and lift. Since then, HF lowered their price t match. Imagine that! The local store cheaper than HF.
If you do get any of them, here is an assembly ti:
Follow they directions. Where they say " insert bolt and nut but leave loose" - do it.
The vertical posts and braces need to be messaged into a friendly co-existence BEFORE final tightening.
At the time it was cheaper (by $20) than the HF model. They were the same specs, tonnage and lift. Since then, HF lowered their price t match. Imagine that! The local store cheaper than HF.
If you do get any of them, here is an assembly ti:
Follow they directions. Where they say " insert bolt and nut but leave loose" - do it.
The vertical posts and braces need to be messaged into a friendly co-existence BEFORE final tightening.
evintho
Well-known member
I know this thread is a couple months old but here's a pretty simple mod to make the HF 2-ton into a body crane.....................
http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?41495-DIY-engine-hoist-Mod-gt-Body-crane-lift
http://www.killbillet.com/showthread.php?41495-DIY-engine-hoist-Mod-gt-Body-crane-lift
teal95
Well-known member
If the wheels have removable axle bolts, pull them apart and put some grease on them before assembling it. It makes it roll so much nicer. This tip applies to most HF stuff (like the 4 wheel car rollers that I use to get 7 cars in a 3 car garage).
steve
steve