Quality Engine Crane

[600SL]

Hello All

I will be in the market for a good engine crane. Really looking for a good sturdy fold up model.

One of the engines I typically lift weighs 667 LB. I had access to a good sturdy one but it did not fold quickly. Any good recommendations.

 

[PAToyota]

A bit of a drive, but here you go…

http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?auctionId=9087513

 

[the gypsy]

Now that is a beautiful crane. I want one.

 

[600SL]

There are several 2 ton hoists available for Harbor Freight, Northern Tool etc. They all look the same. Dose anyone have any experience with these.

 

[csp]

There are several threads on this site regarding engine hoists/cranes. Might hit the search button for a look.

 

[mikester]

I wanted to get a newer hoist a few years ago. I had a HF special that I bought used from a guy that I worked with but it was a pain in the **** because it was bolted together and it took up a lot of space in my garage.
I started to shop around. At the time Northern Tool sold one made by Torin. After doing some shopping I found the same one on sale at Pep Boys for a lot less money. The problem was all of the stores in my area had sold them all and they couldn't tell me when they would be back in stock. I went to the local Auto Zone and Advanced Auto Parts. It seemed the hoists sold by both stores looked VERY similar to the Torins, just different colors.

I wound up calling Torin. They make the hoists for Northern and Pep Boys in red, blue and gray for Auto Zone, black for Advanced Auto and blue and gold for NAPA. At the time I had a rain check for the sale price from Pep Boys. I took it to the local Auto Zone and they actually beat the sale price and had it in stock. So far I have no complaints. Ive pulled a few motors with it and with the legs folded up it takes up a lot less space than the old one.

 

[Tim37]

I have the small grey one from HF it's picked up big blocks, diesels, and even a Pontiac straight 8 (that dude was heavy). I can say its served admirably I do wish I had gotten the 2 ton just so it would have more reach it has been used to do things I never intended that's why I got the small one.

 

[sberry]

The 2 ton folder from HF is really well designed and built. It would be on my short list.

 

[Angelfire]

Another vote for the HF 2 Ton. Get it on sale though.

 

[J Persons]

I bought the gray HF hoist in 1989, it's handled everything up to 454 chevys easily, it even handled the runways for my 4 post lift, and it's still going strong. When not in use, I unbolt the boom and the upright section and stand the base up in the corner. The only thing it lacks is a rapid pump feature.

 

[lakeroadster]

I've had this one for about 26 years...



Legs come of and it stores in a small space. Has worked well, no issues.

 

[600SL]

I've had this one for about 26 years...



Legs come of and it stores in a small space. Has worked well, no issues.

That looks like the one I was using. Legs were removable but not foldable. I really liked it, very sturdy. I tied going to Excalibers web sight and they no longer carry anything that small. I haven used on with foldable legs and I'm concerned they may not be as stable.

One of the things I really need to consider is max height. When using these with a 4 post lift the car has to be raised 6" off the ground to allow the wheels to pass under. You can run out of stroke quickly as you can see in the last picture.

 

[OldracerJones]

I use the harbor frieght fold up crane with no issues. Wish all four wheels rotated but I could change the back casters.

 

[PAToyota]

Now that is a beautiful crane. I want one.

They have four coming up for auction.

A similar one went for $3100 in Indiana this past week.

 

[broncorick]

HF folding on works great. Ditto on the casters but makes it more stable to drive/push around. Folded up very small footprint. Works great. I also just bough the overhead gantry crane (1 ton) as well. These with my two post lift allows me to move most anything

 

[logikal]

I've used this for about 10 years...Grant most of my motors drop through the bottom on a custom subframe support.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000OQKIJI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bobbyu]

habor freight has one for $199.99 and with the 20% coupon it makes it $159.99. Shipping $6.99. Pretty hard to beat that.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-69514.html

 

[GRX]

Another vote for the HF folding 2-ton. Just be sure the pieces are welded together square. Assembled three on the sidewalk out front before I found one that was. Got some weird looks needless to say. But hey, they would not let me do it inside the store.

 

[LEVE]

I've had the 2 ton folding hoist from HF for a decade. It's done it's job with engines, Jeep bodies, transmissions and more. Before that I had the same type hoist from Northern Hydraulic Tools and killed it when I left a locking pin off one of the legs. When I was moving an engine the pin came loose letting the hoist shift all the weight to that leg. The result was a twisted leg. I ended up giving that hoist to a guy who replaced the leg and still uses it. It's over 25 years old.

I'd have no hesitation recommending one...

 

[CoopVA]

I was going to get the 2 ton HF one, but they were out of stock, so I got the one from Advance Auto. Pretty much identical units. Works great. Used it to move and set my mill that is about 900 pounds.

 

[BearsFan315]

this is what i got and VERY happy with it Torin T32001 a Good Engine Hoist & Deal of course i stole mine on sale !!

used it to pull the driveline out of my 1929,:
Strapped up 1
Strapped up 2

Driveline on Hoist
Driveline on Stand

made the engine stand so I can work on the driveline

 

[Falcon67]

I have a Torin Big Red, got it at Pep Boys on sale several years ago. Great tool. Used it to unload the 1200 lb lathe.

 

[Jason280]

I also have the Torin 2-ton, picked it up from TSC last year...working great so far. If space is a premium, and it always is, make sure you get a folding version!

 

[Alexztt]

Bought a folding unit from Autozone years ago and use it regularly with no issues. It is as sturdy as any other crane I have used at other garages. It folds really quickly and stores out if the way. The one thing I added to it is a habor freight engine leveler which makes life so much easier.

 

[GRX]

^^ x2 on the load leveler. Well worth the expense. Especially when you pull with the ****** attached.