Engine Lift - Need Suggestions

[connor77]

I'd like to purchase some sort of engine lift that is electrically powered that will lift in the neighborhood of 1,000 lbs. I'd like to be able to move this from my garage to my shed when the need arises so it needs to be sort of movable. I'd be using it to lift my mower deck and also to lift my engine for my upcoming HST fan replacement. I'm hoping to hang this from joists that would be properly supported / braced and could handle this amount of weight (likely to be more like 500 lbs max that I would need to lift).

Wondering if anyone has purchased one of those Warn Pullzall units? This would have limited use so I'd like to keep the cost down but don't really want a toy either.

I don't want something that takes up any footprint - I just don't have the room which is why I'm thinking I'd like to be able to hang something and keep it out of the way when not in use.

Thanks guys.

 

[rdsaustintx]

Sorry, don't know anything about the hoists, but hanging a half ton off a ceilng joist ain't gonna cut it - I am an engineer specializing in light framing. Final size would depend on the span of course, but no way I would approve anything less than a 2 ply LVL for something like that. If you have ceilings, this scheme may be more trouble than it is worth (a tow-behind hydraulic engine lift rents for $50 around here).

Why not just use your FEL to lift the mower deck?

Russell in BubbaLand

 

[connor77]

Thanks Russell. I need the engine lift for when my tractor will be out of service so I wouldn't be able to use the bucket for lifting.

In terms of hanging this lift from joists I'd be spanning a bunch of them and then hanging the actual motor from a supported steel pole of some sort.

 

[Reverend Blair]

Why not just purchase a fold-up cherry picker? Pumping the hydraulic jack on those isn't too difficult and mine (a cheap one from Princess Auto) will lift up to 1500 pounds. The only drawback is that the small hard wheels only run well on hard, flat surfaces. It could be modified to use larger rubber tires though, or you can do like me and drag it behind a truck.

As for using ceiling joists for support: I did that when pulling a I-6 out of an early eighties Mustang. A 6x6 spread over four old-growth fir 2x4 joists. It worked, but it was pretty creaky. It wasn't even that heavy an engine. I wouldn't do it again.

I know a mechanic who installed a steel beam in his ceiling, supported by steel posts, and that works well. I'm pretty sure it cost him a fair bit though.

 

[dfkrug]

I know a mechanic who installed a steel beam in his ceiling, supported by steel posts, and that works well.

I designed and built my workshop with a steel ridge beam. I upsized it
a bit and ran the calcs to anticipate an additional 1/2T load at the
center of the span of 24 feet. I used the HF 900# hoist with their rolling
trolley. It works extremely well for engines, splitting tractors, etc. I
have never felt that I needed more capacity either. You can buy the
HF 1300# hoist for less than $150.

The cost of the beam? Actually less than wood beams of equivalent
strength.

I would consider retrofitting your shop with an I-beam and 2 columns at
each side of the span, attached to the walls.

 

[dex3361]

These gantry cranes are a good place to start for a movable lift. Like all things these days they are not cheap. Even at this you would still need to buy an electric hoist. Graingers