Experience with Harbor Freight Hoist?

[Billla]

Wondering if anyone has experience with the 2-ton folding engine hoist from HF - I need to have a shop hoist now that I'm one-armed for the next 3-4 months

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=35915

THANKS!

[qksilver]

I have been using one for about 2 years now. It works well for what I use it for. I have used it to pull BB, SB, a 6.2 diesel, put one bed on top of another and 2 cabs on top on a deck I built on top of another trucks bed.
I wouldn't want to use it in a commercial shop but home use it is fine. Make sure the oild level is right and lub every pivot point and the casters.
One thing , a few people have had some problems with them, open the box and check all the welds and see if they look good.

[byrd]

I have had one for a couple of years too. I have used it a lot and works great! It is cheap and effective.

[zipgun]

Originally Posted by byrd

I have had one for a couple of years too. I have used it a lot and works great! It is cheap and effective.

Glad to see this thread, I have been looking at their hoists also, specifically the two ton. I got the 4 caster engine stand back in July and finally received the last parts it was missing yesterday. This time I will try to purchase from their store in Fayetteville instead of mail order.

[Billla]

I picked this up today and was very impressed with what I found. The welds were great, the hardware was fine - Grade 8 where it needed to be and everything was there. The only downside is that the hyd cylinder takes a lot of pumps to move...but that's minor. Folds up VERY small!

NOTE: there is an error in the manual - the casters on the front of the base must be attached with short bolts; check the exploded view. Iif you get one you'll see what I mean

[fireout]

I have been using one for about 6 months and it has worked great.

[Joe67]

We have practically the same hoist, it has pulled a few motors from trucks and boats, it has moved my '67 cab a few times, great item is space is a premium

[cdowns]

i got mine over 10years ago/ it's probally different than todays model ,had to change the ram once but it still works fine

[fireout]

Cdowns yours looks pretty much the same as my newer hoist except mine has the fold up legs. Cool scooter by the way!

[qksilver]

I would trade you my NEWER hoist for that collection of metal hanging on it

[zipgun]

Hey CDOWNS is that a WLA !!! GEEZ my hoist didnt come with that attachment !! Guess I got shorted again. That looks like a WLA I saw in Afghanistan!

[cdowns]

not wl /'its 74ci vl 1931

[Americanrider]

The cylinder pump on mine gave out last month, it's only one year old. I have tried adding Hyd jack oil and bleeding it but it still will not hold anything. Watch your fingers!

[Billla]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

The cylinder pump on mine gave out last month, it's only one year old. I have tried adding Hyd jack oil and bleeding it but it still will not hold anything. Watch your fingers!

Is there a repair/rebuild kit available, or a replacement cylinder....or do you need to source a new one from somewhere else?

[cableguy0]

the cylinders have gotten cheap enough now that rebuilding them isnt even worth it. harbor freight sells them in the store.

[Kevin45]

If you replace the hydraulic cylinder, shop around for a double pump cylinder. It raises on the upstroke and on the downstroke. I can look at the brand of mine and post it on here but I am at work right now.

Kevin

[shaneo2112RUSH]

I have the same engine hoist for about a year and love it. Im picked up my engine and trans at the same time with no problem.

the only draw back i had when i purchased mine there were not enough bolts and washers for the rear handles to push the hoist around and for the wheels.
luckly i had a few laying around to complete the hoist

[7T2]

Originally Posted by Kevin45

If you replace the hydraulic cylinder, shop around for a double pump cylinder. It raises on the upstroke and on the downstroke. I can look at the brand of mine and post it on here but I am at work right now.

Kevin

I just replaced the cylinder in mine with an AIR POWERED one that harbor freight also sells. Less than $50 on sale. You can still pump it the old fashioned way, or you can sit in a chair and drink a beer while your compressor does the work!

Old cylinder still worked, by the way, just wanted the convenience of air power. I have had an air over hydraulic jack for years now. Really comes in handy on lowered vehicles where there is no room to pump once you get the jack positioned.