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View Full Version : recommendations for engine hoist/crane?



comanchefreak
03-20-2009, 10:13 PM
Hello
finally getting back into the garage since all our snow is gone. as it turns out, so is my back, so no more heavy lifting for me. I just got a new floor jack, this one:

http://www.otctools.com/products/detail.php?id=2393
Its super sweet! it was on sale for $300 at carquest. its really smooth operating and the foot pedal is nice. I needed one that went low enough to get under my lower vehicles and my snowmachine. i had a top of the line craftsman, but it blew out the seals only 1 month after the 1yr warranty and the sears repair shop says it costs as much for a new hydraulic unit as it does for the whole jack. Not going cheap anymore!

now i want an engine crane/ hoist. I'll use it for any heavy lifting around the garage as well as engines. it will be used primarily on the ZJ and my '86 trans am, but maybe also on my plow truck, (full size chevy)
I'm thinking this one:
http://www.otctools.com/products/detail.php?id=1192

im open to any other suggestions. id like to keep it around $500 or less.
what do you guys have?

Spr-T-23
03-20-2009, 11:37 PM
chain fall and some steel I beam

comanchefreak
04-01-2009, 06:34 PM
well, that only helps to pull the engine out and move it as far as a stand, i need something i can use anywhere in the shop, so im definitely going with a crane.

BTW, i just got a screaming deal on an OTC transmission jack, #1521A. most place were going to charge around $550 w/ shipping, i got it for $297!!! I guess we'll see if actually shows up, but i called the company directly (they were on ebay w/ pretty good feedback) and they confirmed it was in stock and shipping tomorrow. Its usatoolwarehouse on ebay if anyone else is interested.

ajmorell
04-01-2009, 07:09 PM
I don't have a ton of experience but the two that I have used both worked well and were quite similar to the one you have pictured. If you are planning on a lot of engine work I would suggest one of the chain attachments with a crank for leveling the load.

slim616
04-01-2009, 09:01 PM
heres what I use
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m192/md4wheelin/rebuild%20project/P1120022.jpg

Spr-T-23
04-02-2009, 09:09 AM
yep slim that was my next option....used an excavator one time....

comanchefreak
04-02-2009, 10:43 AM
LOL! that is awesome! I knew people would have some unusual devices here! Actually, i would love to have an excavator as well, but still a little difficult to move around inside the shop! I can just see myself taking out the support pillars!

AJmorell---thanks for the heads up, i will be getting one of those for the engine. there are some pretty slick units available that seem to very precisely align everything. I dont think im going to pull the jeep engine soon (hopefully), but the trans am engine is definitely coming out for the full resto this fall and Im goint to pull the plow truck engine as soon as the frame breaks.

OverkillZJ
04-02-2009, 12:45 PM
Have a Goodyear from sams club, I've used it to lift up vehicles one end at a time, too.

SB406
04-02-2009, 02:16 PM
I built a Jibb crane. Cheap and effective. takes up no room in the shop when not in use (against the wall).

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/sb406/th_406Swap001.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/sb406/?action=view&current=406Swap001.jpg)
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/sb406/th_Flex1-7-09002.jpg (http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q159/sb406/?action=view&current=Flex1-7-09002.jpg)

comanchefreak
04-02-2009, 04:58 PM
nice! some ideas i certainly had not considered here, thanks!