I am an aspiring mechanic. I've done a bit of engine work and found it enjoyable. Now it's time to buy an engine hoist to further my tool collection. The problem is, my "shop" is a comprised of two sheds. A slightly large 5x5 shed, and a 5x2.5 smaller container. The sheds store all my projects and tools. I do the mechanical work outside the sheds. Now here's the deal. I'm considering an unusual engine hoist. I've not seen another like it. By the picture though, it would seem to fit my 5x2.5. That placement would fit my needs perfectly. IT is the 988D model.

http://www.asedeals.com/aff_engine_cranes.html

Seeing as how this is my first engine hoist, I need your impressions. I know it's capacity is small, but I'm a small car kinda guy. I'm not one to work on trucks, suvs, possibly not even V8s. My iquiry to you experienced folk is what use can I expect from such a small crane? With boom height and length as listed, what kind of cars could I expect beyond my means? would V8s be out of the question for larger cars?

If the limitations are too steep, do you know of other smaller cranes which fold to fit a 7x5x2.5 shed? I place a bycicle in there also which occupies 2 feet of the 5 lengthwise. I really need a crane that fits 7x3x2.5. It's small space, that's why I was looking at a small crane.

Your link just goes to the site's home page but I went on to the hoists, is the one you are asking about one of these?


www.asedeals.com/engine_hoist.html

Don't know what the dickens happened but when I clicked on your link again it took me to the hoist?


Are you talking about the 2200 lb model?


I have one very similar from Harbor Freight (that one appears to be a lot better built however) and it is very handy outfit. Apparently space is at a premium for you and those things store easily so it is going to be a much better investment than a regular fixed type. 2200 lbs is not all that small and unless you get into some really heavy engines, like diesels maybe, it should handle your needs as long as you get it up close. You say you are working outside but are you on concrete? One of those hoists can be a real PITA on gravel, even packed gravel, and can be downright dangerous on dirt so you would need something solid under it.

Wow, thank you for the quick reply. Sorry, here's the specs.

Boom extends from 36" to 46" Is four feet enough to reach into small car engine compartments?

Capacity -
2200 lbs. 1st position
1500 lbs. 2nd position
1000 lbs. 3rd position
500 lbs. 4th position
Max Boom Height -
78" 1st position
83" 2nd position
91" 3rd position
91" 4th position

I was just concerned over the later positions. The height seems low to me. Wouldn't it be difficult to pull the motor out without enough clearance? just over seven feet doesn't feel high enough to me. Whatever though, you have experience with this, I do not. Yes, concrete. It's rough and worn, but concrete nonetheless. If you could, elaborate on that crane you mentioned earlier, the one that's better built

I meant the cranes you are linking to seem to be better than the HF version.

That one may be a bit tight but should work as long as you avoid trucks and large V8s, I am sure the clearance would be ok without using an engine leveler but then that can present problems itself. That leveler down at the bottom of the page looks like a good one if you don't already have one but just like the crane the HF version is a bit flimsy and I only mentioned them as an example of a not-so-good outfit to compare to. You are wise to check these things before buying because a cheapo poorly built rig can cause a lot of damage and could get you hurt! Also if the concrete is really rough you will want the biggest wheels practical because tiny wheels will tend to leave you stuck and can be really frustrating. If you will have room to roll a vehicle back from the crane and not have to roll the crane while it is loaded however this may not be a problem for you, an inch or so of wheel size can make a world of difference on concrete.

I have the one from HF,I have used it for a lot of motor's....I have used it to lift big block Chevy's with no trouble...The only thing I don't like about it,Is the boom is kind of short,But that's a easy fix.I think I only paid $99.00 on sale.It was worth it..

The biggest problem I have with the HF outfit is the crappy jack that tends to start by-passing inside causing it to lose it's lift capability and extending the boom will greatly aggravate that problem, IMO they used the short boom to ease the load on that cheapo jack.

Well I never had that problem with mine..But that's HF for ya..You can buy a good one,Or you can buy a bad one.Had that happen a lot of times.

This is the one I have..http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ct...temnumber=35915

One thing you want for sure,Is to get one that fold's up..Easy to store..Take's up a lot less room.

I have the same one. Got it on sale a few years ago for $140 and a balance beam as well. I have lifted my Fiero off the ground with it minus the engine and transmission.

Did you guys see the hoist HF had a couple of years ago with an engine stand built onto it? It was a regular engine stand mounting plate attached to the main frame support and the engine could be mounted to it thus using the hoist as an engine stand. It looked like a good idea but for some reason they were not around very long, that would have been a real space saver.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ct...temnumber=93840


this is the one I have and I love it... especially the way it folds up!

I have no problems pulling a 350 with a powerglide attached, effortless!

Good luck and let us know what you get.

BTW I paid 129 and had a 20% off coupon!

-=Fred=-

i have the same model Engine Hoist at the time my space was
small also and it worked great for what i needed now that i have a bigger
shop i still like it cuz i it folds up and does not take up a lot of space
i got mine at tractor supply and i think mine was about 125.00 for the
Engine Hoist and the motor level i got a good deal on mine i think it will
work good no matter the space

Didn't see it.. But that sounds like a good idea..

I didn't see that either, at least not that I can recall. Would be a natural, though. I'll keep an eye out for it, but is it from HF for sure? Or possibly another outfit, because I'd have thought I'd have remembered seeing it...

Dam, gettin' old ain't no fun!

I saw it sitting in the store a couple of years ago.







But just consider the ALTERNATIVE!