Guide to Engine Hoists

The use of a hoist to pull an engine is the only way to get the job done right.   When the engine starts reaching a point where the smoke and oil stains left on the street are an environmental hazard, you know you are ready.  Replacing or rebuilding the engine is less expensive for someone with the time and skills to do it, and is the only option if you have an older or a classic car.

Whether you own a late model Honda or a full size muscle car, once the engine is liberated, everything rests on the hoist you bought or rented to safely pull the engine out, literally. So which hoist do you choose, and should you buy new, or get an automotive engine hoist rental?  If you choose the rental, chances are the professionals at the shop can help you find the right hoist for the job.  However, if you are looking for an engine hoist for sale, read on before you buy.

Types of Engine Hoists

The hoist with arguably the most versatility is the engine crane hoist.  The advantages to a crane hoist are numerous, and in a shop where pulling large engines is a common occurrence, this is the right tool to get it done.  A heavy duty crane can be adjusted to lift from 1,000 pounds to 4,000 pounds, safely leveling your load, and allowing for easy maneuvering of the engine on a swivel hook.

The crane hoist offers an added degree of safety with telescoping legs for additional stability, an adjustable boom, and a hand-operated release valve.  A hoist this size is available with folding legs or telescoping legs, both of which can handle a large hunk of engine.  Look to send between $300 and $600 for a new crane.

Your typical automotive engine hoist is often a crane style hoist, or a heavy duty engine stand and hoist.  A favorite in automotive shops is a high load capacity folding engine hoist.  A 2 ton engine hoist with the ability to use the long ram as a jack to lift up to eight tons, this is a serious machine; and its folding feature keeps it out of the way when not in use.  Do not allow this fact to alarm you though; the folding hoist is just as strong as the option with the telescoping legs.  The only restriction placed on these giants is not to overload the adjusted capacity.

The Torin model, called the Big Red, has a 4,000 pound lifting capability, and comes with a load leveler to keep an engine up to 1500 pounds in line.  This Torin’s lifting range goes from 1 inch to 93 ¾”, has an adjustable boom, and six wheels.  The additional wheels come in handy with a very heavy load, making the large crane more mobile.

All these features can be had for about $230 at a Torin engine hoist sale.  This is a small price to pay for a professional shop, or a serious hobbyist.

Crane hoists are practical tools for other applications as well.  A heavy duty engine hoist crane can pull from 400 to 2000 pounds over a long distance, and operates with an electric motor.  If you are searching for a heavy-duty hoist to assist in lifting construction materials, this is the one you need.  For less than $300, you get a hoist with a remote operating switch, 40 feet of cable, and an automatic shut off feature similar to a panic button.

These electric crane hoists are perfect for hauling boats from the water, lifting game for butchering, and lifting steel or timber beams.

Choose Your Hoist

If what you are looking for is a tool to pull heavy truck, bus, and car engines then consider a hydraulic engine hoist.  As with the other hoists built for pulling engines, the hydraulic hoist can pull up to 4000 pounds of metal, and includes a hydraulic long ram built for up to eight tons.  This is the ideal choice for bus maintenance departments, or other city vehicle auto shops.

The ideal engine hoist has swivel and rigid casters for easy mobility, a swivel hook at the end of the boom, and a sturdy adjustable base.  Construction should be from heavy gauge steel, and if space is an issue, buy the folding hoist engine crane.

A heavy duty hoist is not necessary for lifting the engine out of the car in your garage however.  It is adjustable, but there is no need to pay extra for a hoist when you will never use it to lift more than 1,000 pounds.  For residential locations, a 1 ton engine hoist is more appropriate, and will take up less space.

These hoists are surprisingly inexpensive, running less than $200 on average.  Hydraulic engine hoist plans are also available if you are looking to save some coin. The catch?  You have to do the assembly, and there are quite a few engine hoist parts.  You are about to take apart an engine though, so the engine hoist will be a snap.