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General => The garage => Topic started by: AudiA8Quattro on 14 November 2011, 21:30

Title: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 14 November 2011, 21:30
I'm looking at investing in one finally. Has anyone got any recommendations? what to look out for?
Do I need 1 tonne or 2 for car applications?
What the cheap ones like on ebay?
I would prefer to spend under £200.
Many thanks.
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: Wayne on 14 November 2011, 23:38
A sealey one will be fine, 1t should do the trick unless you find a 2t at a cracking price.
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 15 November 2011, 00:27
I was looking at this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-2-TON-FOLDING-HYDRAULIC-ENGINE-CRANE-HOIST-LIFT-/130515229853?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item1e63505c9d

Not sure if its got enough reach?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: topher on 15 November 2011, 00:49
Probably a bit overkill for home use. They go out quite a way, but you can't put the full 2 ton on when fully extended. Each hole you slide out to is usually marked with its max load rating.
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 15 November 2011, 10:20
Thanks Topher.
Yes that's why i was looking at 2 tonne, as that's 500kg on full reach.
I'm not sure 250kg on full reach would be enough to move a V8 with box.
What do you think?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: Seanl on 15 November 2011, 12:24
Think that may be pushing it a bit. Better to be safe than sorry if you can afford it.
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: danny_p on 15 November 2011, 23:57
depends on the v8 your lifting.


you'll find you rarely ever use full reach on it, to move the arm out you have to extend the legs out and i find they get in the way :(  my engine crane has developed into a couterbalance affair,   whitch mostly consists of a bolt on shelf  that sticks out back of it, that heavy stuff gets stacked so i can lift with the arm out and the legs not out so far  :smiley:

i very much dought you'll find an engine and box combo weighing over 250 KG in a car unless your dealing with big iron block v8's   my crappy sealy did manages to lift quite large commercial diesels, if you overload them the top arm just bends,  i had to make a new one for mine after trying to lift a big cummins 6
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 November 2011, 10:44
Cheers Danny.
The V8 is an Audi ABZ, all aluminium.
What do you think of the one in the link?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: Len on 16 November 2011, 13:49
With some cars its easier to drop the engine out the bottom so a 2 T could lift the car up for ya!
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 November 2011, 19:51
So is the one in the ebay link good or sh!te?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: topher on 16 November 2011, 21:34
my mate has one that looks exactly like that and is awesome, but it was a lot more expensive and not imported from china.. could be worth the gamble though.
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 16 November 2011, 21:46
I thought it might be worth a shot. I bought a cheap press off ebay about 6 years ago, its still going well now.
I guess if its not getting everyday use, it will last.
There isn't really any difference in price between that one and the 1 tonne ones.
So reach won't be a problem? the arm does look short on that ebay one...
Also why is it so cheap? i'm always suspicious..
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: topher on 16 November 2011, 22:45
reach is no problem the legs go under the car. low cars need to be jack on to axle stands though.

we did this.. those rollers are heavier than a v8 :grin:

(http://i44.tinypic.com/1znr51t.jpg)
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: tech1889 on 16 November 2011, 23:12
i have a sealey 2tonne one i picked up on gumtree for £80  :cool:
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 17 November 2011, 00:09
So the verdict is, buy the ebay one?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: danny_p on 17 November 2011, 00:19
ebay one looks optimal to me
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 17 November 2011, 20:37
Thanks guys.
What do people use to attach to the engine? just a chain?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: Len on 17 November 2011, 20:48
Looks OK to me! I have hired worse! :laugh:


But then I have also taken an engine out by twisting a rope! :grin:
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: danny_p on 17 November 2011, 20:59
my prefered lifting weapons are old seatbelts,   ratchet straps and chain.

what you really need is a meter or so of really good chain with links big enough to get a bolt and or D shackel through then youo can ether put d hook through the chain and engine lifting eye or  put a bolt through the chain and into the engine, or wrap the chain around things and lift if needs must.

i lift a lot of engines out on the head bolts after pulling the head to find out what went wrong you realise the lifting eye was bolted to the head,

i allways find the small ratchet strap is usefull to adjust the tilt of the engine if working on your own on a tricky one wee the engine needs to be tilted and rotated to perswade it to fit in the hole.

seatblets mainly the middel lap belt just make good quick relese slings mainly for picking and moveing stuff about with 
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 17 November 2011, 21:26
Thanks again.
Danny, i think a chain would be best bet, where's the best place to buy?
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 17 November 2011, 21:40
This any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/680kg-Engine-Load-Leveller-/180628975133?pt=UK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment&hash=item2a0e536e1d
Title: Re: Engine hoist, what to buy?
Post by: danny_p on 17 November 2011, 23:50
that is a bit posh,   there a good idea  but you may find you loose to much lifting hight or clearance from things like the bonnet.

local hardwear shops or diy sheds are often good bets for chain