Harbor freight truck crane

[Code54]

Has anyone used one of these and if so what did you think?
I was thinking of putting one on the corner of my work bench (it is 3x8' 1/2 steel and weights about 900+lbs) and use it to lift trannys, final drives and such up to work on. Stuff that is under 500lbs but too heavy for me to grab off the floor and lift up there. I am not concerned with the bench holding the weight, I would guess it can hold in the 1000's of lbs and figure it is heavy enough to not tip too easily under any normal amount of weight. Just wondering what everyone one thinks?
Here is a photo of each to help:

 

[George2615]

Using that lift in a truck is one thing. Lots of counterweight.

I could not see in the pic if your bench is anchored to the wall or floor. It doesn't look like it is. Mounting it to a freestanding bench and lifting 400-500 lb. is asking for trouble. That could cause that 900 lb. bench to tip over onto you. If the bench is anchored to the floor and / or wall then in my opinion that lift would work fine.

Be safe. Don't rely on shear bench weight since the leverage of a crane like that could easily tip the bench away from the wall. If you do get it and mount it to an unanchored bench, swing it out the pull down with your hand and I'll bet you will see how easy that 900 lb. bench starts to tip.

 

[Code54]

I was thinking the same thing and have 2- 6" lag bolts going into the 6x6 wall supports to help keep it from tipping. I guess i could add a bolt or two to the floor also?? Maybe a good idea!!

 

[moored4]

I was thinking the same thing and have 2- 6" lag bolts going into the 6x6 wall supports to help keep it from tipping. I guess i could add a bolt or two to the floor also?? Maybe a good idea!!

If you bolt the legs, do it to the back legs, that's where you will get the strength.

Now! ! ! About your shop! It is an embracement to us! WHO has a shop that clean! ! ! :laughing: :laughing:

 

[Large Bear 13]

A statioary hoist like that will only help you at that bench and will always locate the object the same place on the bench. a cherry picker type of lift may fill your needs better...

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Here is a photo of each to help:

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Bench! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

But I agree, anchor the rear legs to the floor.

Be well,
David

 

[bx24]

The crane works well - but of the 40+ units we had installed, there was a fairly high rate of hydraulic jack failure (and not after a long period of time). I would either go with the version that also has the hand crank winch, buy the extended warranty, or go with a little nicer version (see link below)

Amazon.com: Vestil WTJ-2 Winch Operated Truck Jib Crane, Welded Steel, 1000 lbs Capacity, 56" Overall Height, Yellow: Industrial & Scientific

We are trialing this unit as a replacement for the HF versions

 

[crazyal]

I would be a little worried about putting that in the back of a truck. I think the weather would beat it up pretty good. In a shop I bet it would be no different than a engine lift from HF. I think it would work just fine. I would mount it down well though.

 

[TonyMcD]

A place I used to work and a nice heavy chain hoist on about a 10 foot rail hooked to the ceiling. It worked really nice, and you could hoist things up and move them up and down the rail. Might be handy if you could drive a pickup in, hoist it out and slide it over to the work bench.

 

[smiley]

I would consider mounting the crane to the rear center of the bench. That would help offset the overbalancing effect of mounting it on the side or front. In addition may give more options on where to place the load.

 

[Code54]

Some VERY good points!!!
I already have an engine hoist and I find sometimes I have it "in use" and then want to put something on the bench so this would be a cheap system. Plus I am a bit lazy and don't want to have to roll the hoist over, drop the legs and lock it all together for a quick little 10 second lift ... What can I say
I built a heavy duty 4 wheel "furniture dolly" - weights about 100 lbs and is roughly rated for a ton and 1/2, so I often sit heavy stuff on that, roll it over to the bench and was thinking this would be an easy way to swing it up to work on it. Most stuff I put up there is under 250lbs (I love Farmall Cubs and most stuff is not too heavy) but I am getting to old to be trying to hoist it up there on my own (plus i'm too darn short to do it easily!!!)
I am going to look at the other ones mentioned and look at the one with the hand winch, that is a good idea.
I sort of goofed when I built the shop I should have had a steel beam run across the ceiling so I could have had a chain hoist setup, just never gave it a thought. I have looked at that rolling crane HF sells but it is so big and takes up a ton of room, otherwise it would be perfect. I also would not mind a job crane but them suckers are expensive!!!! I could get a few more Cubs for that prices

 

[bcp]

I built a heavy duty 4 wheel "furniture dolly" - weights about 100 lbs and is roughly rated for a ton and 1/2, so I often sit heavy stuff on that, roll it over to the bench

That reminded me of one of these that might do the same job as the dolly plus the crane.

Hydraulic Lift Table - 500 Lb. Capacity

Bruce

 

[CurlyDave]

I second the hydraulic lift table. HF has two sizes and I have one of each.

Lots of uses beside lifting something onto your bench. How about lifting something into the bed of your pickup? I can easily get a refrigerator into or out of my truck, something the FEL is not real good at doing. Or you can use it as an adjustable height sawhorse.

 

[Code54]

I like that new lift table idea - maybe a better way to go!
Thanks

 

[LWG]

I have the smaller HF lift cart. I used it for moving a wood stove. I think it's great, and would be easier to use than a hoist.

 

[dieselscout80]

The one bad part about the carts is if the part/heavy object is on the floor it still has to be picked up to get it on the cart.

 

[forgeblast]

Since we have a post talking about cranes, I dont want to hijack but...I am thinking about putting a hoist on my garden shed, it has a second floor. How or what is the best way to attach a chain hoist to my ridge beam (4x4). (the ridge beam will be sticking out further then the barn roof.)I will not be lifting anything over say 200 lbs. This is just to make it easier to bring things up, or skin a deer.