I'm looking for an engine hoist and found this one on Ebay. Has anyone here bought this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4606234044&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT Also, have you dealt with this guy and how honest is he? Ebay feedback can be too glad handing sometimes. I want honest responses. I've seen pictures of engine hoists on the Internet and looked at several real ones around town. Most are cheap Chinese imports with thin-wall tubing and sloppy, undercut welds. In other words, dangerous junk. This one "looks" to be better quality, has six casters, and the shipping isn't enough to kill the deal. Thanks ahead of time for the input.
Here is another good one but shipping is probably more considering the distance. Should be cheaper for East Coast tho. However this guy sells to rental agencies and shops so it is of high quality. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&rd=1&item=4606034704&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
That lift looks to be exactly as what I bought at Pep Boys except the color. The freight on those things is a killer. If you have a Pep Boys near, go and look at what they have. Unfortunately made in China but heavy construction and decent "appearing" welds. The one I got was 2-1/2 ton max capacity. Had no problems pulling an elderly Rocket with hydro attached. 900#?
This is my opinion, I have one from Sams discount stores,it was under $200, and of course no shipping. I will not own another one with all the wheels that steer. It is almost impossible to push them straight or to control them . Mine came with a leveling tool that I do not use.Don't like them either. As far as built cheap or unsafe it is not. I have had several complete big v-8s with trans on it and it is super.Just my opinion.
i just got the one from sam's haven't really used it yet......looks to be built well, comes with the leveler and NO shipping.... look there, it's about the best deal going..
I think Pep Boys had one in their ad yesterday that was about the same cost as his "BuyNow" price, and there would be no shipping. I think that shipping is going to kill you on one of these things if you buy off ebay. There is always Harbor Freight as well, if they have a store near you. They usually have coupons available on the internet and by email for 10-20% off. Slonaker EDIT: Your local Pep Boys has one for $140-$20 mail in rebate. Your Harbor Freight Tools has one for $150. You can use this coupon for 10% off. http://ww2.harborfreightusa.com/showpage_retail.taf?pageid=214&email=
I've used the type with all caster wheels, they are a pain to control. The hoist I use at home is one I built 20 some years ago before you could buy them at walmart for $9.99. Mine has fixed front wheels, limited vertical travel (uses a bottle jack instead of a ram), but it's lifted countless engines over the years.
I have the identical engine hoist mad by "powerfist". Made in China but actually a decent hoist. Not great quality but functional. I paid $179 CAD for mine which is about the same in USD as the "buy it now" price. I actually lifted the front end of a 1965 Chrysler 300 with it pulling an engine. The one I own is slightly different in that the front wheels are steel and are sunken into the legs. I'd be a bit leary of the plastice wheels on the one pictured.
The Pep Boys lift has steel wheels and I agree that the all swivel casters are a pain to deal with. The damn thing wants to go everywhere except where you want it and the "handle" is so narrow there is no leverage to be had.
if you need a folding one, it'll be fine, along with all the other folding ones. but personally, i don't care for the fildong type, they don't feel the same to me, i think have a little less lifting capacity, and more wheels on the ground is more wheels to run over things, etc. then i like to install some big tires or casters on the back, makes it a piece of cake to lift the leg end and wheel it around, easier to load into pickups too.
I bought one from harbor freight. I works real well. I think I paid about $200 with shipping. When I received it from the shippers the pump piston was broken on it. It took me six months to get it replaced. Good unit. Just pray that you never need customer service from them. Woody
Another place to look is if you have a "Retool" store around. Bought mine there, looks a little better then the "Harbor Frieght" one and cost a few dollars less. If you've never been in one "Retool" does carry some new tools plus you can find some decent deals on used stuff.
No more cheap engine stands for me. First off they won't hold a big motor without sagging. I'll get one of these Sunex ones next. Also check out the engine stand shootout... The Matco one is really a Sunex, so if there is a Matco guy near you he can get you this one.... Cheap tool suck.... I purged a few cheap engine stands at our last car show....
Thanks guys for the input. I appreciate the thoughts and experience. 286merc, I saw that other dealer on ebay and figured the freight from NH would be more than the $99.99 the other guy was charging. Slonaker, I checked at my Pep Boys and the ones they have here in AZ have a very short lifting arm. It needs to be longer to be useful. Woody, I don't buy at Harbor Freight. I'm trying real hard to buy American and the Chinese crap they have is not worth the money. Plus their engine stands and hoists are NOT built to ANSI/ASME standards. JoeCool, I'll check out Sam's Club and see what they have. If its Chinese, like lots of Wal-Mart stuff, I probably won't buy. I will check out the quality of the material and the welding. Squirrel, I may take a page from your book and maybe build one myself. I bought a set of plans from the guy on ebay who sells plans. I figured it was worth the $10 to see what he had and price out what it would cost to build it myself. If necessary, I'll modify it so the legs will fold. I'll check out Grainger on-line to locate the wheels and the long stroke 8-ton ram. Thanks again for the input guys.
The one I have looks the same,,,and yeah they won't go where ya want them to,,,,but they store outta the way and don't take up a lot of room,,,And how often are you gonna us it?,,,,if your like me 2 maybe 3 times a year I can live with that,,,,,the old style ones weave around when your backing up too,,,and the DAMN things that don't fold up are in the way and take up a lot of space when not in use! Check Sam, Tractor supply, pep boys,,,,gotta be other people that sell them,,,,,,,The freight will kill ya,,,the hoist are HEAVY!!! HRP
I happened to be in PEP Boys today and took a close look at their $139 special. A real piece of shit, about 2/3 the size of the ones mentioned on Epay and flimsy walls. RAM looks to be the same until you look at the mini print, only 3000# rated. I have 2 foldups with moveable casters. No particular problem moving that I didnt have with the fixed ones I sold as I needed the room. But I havent tried towing it down the street with a lawn tractor either and a 460 hanging from it! Even bought some 2000 # foldable engine stands. Thankfully there is no HF around here, the only one they tried in MA folded in 6 months after the MA Attorney General sued them for fraudulent sales, false advertising, etc. Got lots of press coverage. Good riddance.
I got mine from Auto Zone with the leveling rig for less than $200.00! It has the fixed front wheels and the adjustable arm.
PEP BOYS Has foldable engine hoist on sale this month for $119 with rebate offer. I used it to lift a 354 hemi. Works fine. I am in FL.
look in the bargin post;pawn shops etc;how often you gonna use this? if only a couple times a year rent one. Mines always in the way,but I'm glad I've got it! steele
Bought one yesterday At the big E swap meet. new for $90.00 , looks like the one at pep boys. The only thing I changed was the two bolts that mount the boom to the base, just don't trust chinesse bolts.Carlg
hahaha, well at least you trust the chinese structural steel, and the chinese o-rings and machining in the hydraulic ram!
I looked at Sam's club this am and saw the Goodyear model they are selling. The lifting arm is too short like the Pep Boys ones. Welds aren't too bad and the steel wall thickness seems to be heftier than the ones at HF. I did NOT see any ANSI/ASME compliance stickers. Maybe I'm too picky. It just seems that if I'm going to spend money on an engine hoist to lift some SERIOUS weight, I don't want to be worrying about if it was designed wrong and built with inferior material and welds. American quality MEANS something. And besides if I or some family member or friend gets hurt because it failed, I don't want to spend more money on doctors and lawyers. Thanks again.
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