Harbor Freight

Not condoning anything they sell............but at $160 bucks this is really hard to beat! The sale started today and goes through 8/31/16

I own one and approve of this message!

 

I too have one, and for the money, they are pretty good.

 

I paid about $150 for a knock down engine hoist back in 1982, changed the jack in 1997 for another $70 but it's been a valuable tool. That's a good deal.

If I hadn't built a small gantry crane with a spreader bar to lift bodies off frames I'd buy that one as a second.

 

I have one from Jimmy Joe Bobs tools discount freight beer tobacco and hair care products that I have had for many years. I have yet to have an issue. certain things form HF are functional, probably not for daily use but for the hobby guy they work fine.

 

I too met with that crack dealer in a shady parking lot and had them load that cardboard freight item in my pickup some time ago. It folds up nicely so it gets out of the way.

Note: the metal wheels are hard on toes that are exposed when in flip-flops when said item rolls over them... other than that, and a minor 'fitting' issue I had when putting mine together (fixed with a welder and a drill), it's a great item, works as designed.

 

Had one for a few years. Got an engine leveler for it. Had to fill the hydraulic oil once but it has been great. Highly recommend for occasional use. Works like a charm for lifting a 6 tub on and off a frame.

 

I have one. It works great.

 

I have one too works great. For occasional use. I do feel the boom is a lil short at times but I have a pretty big bumper on my jeep.

 

I like mine too. It gets the job done no problem

 

I bought a HFT plasma cutter works great but won't cut 1/2 in steel like they claim

 

Great for relatively light stuff like Jeep work. I had a friend try and pull a big block Chevy with TH400 trans out of his Blazer and the thing folded in half. It is rated at 2 tons at the shortest setting - maybe could handle a dead lift but not a swinging engine at that weight.

 

The cheaper it is, the cheaper it is.

 

Yep............pretty evident what happened there..........warnings or instructions ? No matter what the tool is there is always a dummie out there that can break it.

 

Even on sale, I can't see paying that price for dangerous junk, and I'm surprised you approve of them.

I found an American-built collapsible 2-ton unit on CL a few weeks ago for $140 that is constructed of all 3/16" wall tubing and 1/4" plate with all grade 8 hardware.

The deals are out there if you're patient.

 

Junk? ...............Not really sure I see it that way , but your welcome to your opinion......Plenty of other folks here don't seem to have a problem with them. I just can't see any reason to re-invent the wheel for $160 bucks , when the price is below the cost of the materials........and It does in lifting capacity what it says it will do.

If I exceed that capacity , will shame on me for not paying attention! .....................just bought another today for my storage.

 

I just see it equal to the old, "$5 helmet for a $5 head" adage.

When using a hoist, I'd rather be swearing at the ground strap I forgot to unbolt than my hand being crushed, or worse.

 

Hey , I hear what your saying...........but lets face it , It's got nothing to do with the Iron or the tools...........It's all about who is steering that stuff around that makes the difference.

 

Just a "forinstance"...

When you are at the max recommended weight at the specified arm setting and said ground strap breaks..., or you are rolling a load across a concrete floor and roll into a crack, or......, and it sends a shock through the lift, I prefer to have a little extra left in the bank.

I relate the weight rating on a HF lift to the horsepower rating on a shop vac. I'm sure through somebody's math they came up with 5hp from that little motor, but I'm not risking getting crushed with a shop vac. Let them exaggerate all they want.

Maybe it's just me, but that's not one area I'd look to cut costs.
To each his own.

 

Going to try not to dig a hole,

What you are saying makes sense, however last time I used an engine stand.I stayed well out of the way. I lifted engine, moved back then set the engine down. I will save moving the engine across the floor for a dolly or engine stand.

I can't justify buying a nicer one, nor do i have the time to build one. Especially if I will only use it once or twice.

I don't own an hf engine hoist, just their 20 ton press. Needs reinforcement but works fine. Also, I have a small tool box from them. If the hoist bothered me that much I would reinforce it. For the price, and some careful thought I would buy one.

However it's cheaper for me to rent one instead of driving an hour and half to harbor freight store. Other people it would benefit if they use with caution.

 

Hoists are hard to use at their highest weight rating because the reach is so short.

Even a 2-ton lift typically only has a 500# rating at full extension. A jeep F-head alone weighs 470#. Pull the trans out with it, and your already over the questionable rating.

I'm sure they're fine for lightweight work, or if you plan on modifying it.