Breakdown Engine hoist?

[Ron_M]

I'm just looking to move short or long blocks, not pull and installs as I already have a hoist. I'm not even sure the bluebird s are even made anymore, though that would be ideal Sooo it's looking like a HF folding unit is best at the moment. Not a welder, kick myself for not learning when I had the chance.

 

[Daves69]

It appears that a foldable one may not breakdown enough?

you could easily make it more "take apart" with some work

Maybe fab what you need to make a store-bought breakdown how ever you need/want it?
The one I made way, way back is just pinned using Grade 8 bolts. The upright locates on a 1/8"- 2 X 3 - 3" high welded stub. The whole thing is leaning on a wall in my mini 2 car garage.

 

[Ron_M]

I'm going to pay a visit to Harbor freight to look at the floor models.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The Bluebirds are still made, but the only places I see them are rental places. Surely somebody sells them.....but I bet they aren't cheap.

 

[mopowers]

Isn't any hoist that bolts together a "breakdown" hoist?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Isn't any hoist that bolts together a "breakdown" hoist?

I guess. But scroll back and look at mine. You wouldn't break that down in 5 minutes. lol

 

[junkyardhero]

the pitsburgh unit with the foldable legs from ye olde hazard fright comes apart enough to load it into a standard 6ft pick up bed. it's heavy but not too much of a pain in the *** on knock down & reassembly.

i've used the boo birb ones here at work. they are HEAVY and are very difficult to maneuver unless the floor is ultra smooth. honestly putting it together is a two person job.

 

[Ron_M]

Thank you

 

[mvh]

The old-style rental store ones that break down completely don't seem to be available retail. I don't think they even rent them anymore. It may be a liability/safety issue.

My Harbor Freight hoist came apart to a large extent merely by pulling pins. Only a few parts needed a wrench. Yeah, it takes time to disassemble/reassemble, but compared to the time it takes to pull an engine, it's not much. Admittedly the larger pieces are a pretty heavy lift, but you can just lift one end onto the tailgate and slide it in.

 

[like_A_pike]

Mine breaks into two parts & slips into the 2” receiver. Almost tall enough for my Merc w/ long shaft! lol. c’list for $90 so I could replace my 340 on an all sand garage floor.

 

[67Dart273]

Here is a typical HF platform folded up. This is just like one of mine, except color. You an easily break this down

The leg extensions, here folded up, come off with pins, easy

The extension out of the arm is either a pin or bolt, easy. The cylinder is two bolts, easy, This leaves the main part of the arm. One more bolt.

Now all you have is the base you see here with casters, and the one upright going clear up to where the big arm attaches. That is really not that heavy. Unless you are REALLY disabled, you should be able to lean that over onto the bed/ tailgate, and lift the bottom end up and shove it into the pickup

 

[nutz]

mine is like rustys pull the boom and jack tilt it back stick the legs in then lift the rest in

 

[Ron_M]

Thank you all for taking the time to provide your insight. Much appreciated.

 

[JDMopar]

Mine is like the one in post #36, except red and skint all to pieces...lol. I have used it plenty of times as a load and go. I roll it up to the tail gate backwards, remove the fold up legs and the inner boom to cut the weight while lifting it, then lay it over on the tail gate and push it right up into the truck bed. I'll be 68 if I live 2 more weeks, and don't have any trouble loading and unloading it that way.

 

[mbaird]

This is probably what you are thinking of, I got this about 1990 from a place like Harbor Freight, (might have been Harbor Freight).
As it it is when I transport it I pull the boom and mast but leave the rest together.
I lift the long legs into the truck, then lift the other end in.
View attachment 1716432817


Alan

My hoist is like that and I take it apart to store or transport whenever I need it. Not a lot of work . Maybe 10 nuts and bolts.
Take a picture of it so you remember what goes where until you have done it enough to memorize.

 

[1WildRT]

Region Welding - Engine Hoists
I have one of these... Had it for close to thirty years made in USA

 

[Swinger 340]

This is mine. It's clearly not "foldable" nor would I call it a breakdown. I could certainly disassemble it, I suppose, but then I'd have to put it back together when I need it and that's too much like work. lol
View attachment 1716432812

First time I seen a lift without a pump or bar. LOL Sometimes it takes more than a "cheery picker". I also bring along a 4X8 sheet of plywood for mobility.

 

[LO23M8B]

What you are looking for is a crane.

 

[nutz]

Ha on my second set of casters
And looking at a third...
That thing never rolled nice

 

[LO23M8B]

Here ya go.

 

[SpeedThrills]

Here ya go.

View attachment 1716436582

View attachment 1716436583

I had one of those, and it worked great. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, I guess it's not for him.

 

[toolmanmike]

"Breakdown" and "able to disassemble" are 2 different things really. Any bolt together cherry picker can be taken apart for moving and re-assembled for use. Most everything like that comes in a box for shipping and is assembled by the store or the buyer.

 

[Ron_M]

I am looking for a breakdown type as that was what I saw that someone had. When I began my online search, I didn't see really anything like that which I found puzzling which was why this post was started. I'm not really into a crane as that would have to be bolted to the bed/ frame of my truck (RAM 1500) or to something stationary. Not looking to do that. I would consider a Crane if it could be placed within the receiver hitch, but would probably have low load rating. Might not be an issue on say a SB short block. Not really worth it for a long block. Still leaning towards the harbor freight fold up.

 

[RustyRatRod]

First time I seen a lift without a pump or bar. LOL Sometimes it takes more than a "cheery picker". I also bring along a 4X8 sheet of plywood for mobility.

I have two. The old one which is the manual and I just got a new air over hydraulic. That's why it's not outside. lol

 

[like_A_pike]

I would consider a Crane if it could be placed within the receiver hitch, but would probably have low load rating

From post 35. It’s like the one on post 45. They break down in two main parts that aren’t very heavy. The hitch receiver is just an extension that I bolted the crane hardware onto… the weak spot is that extension but I’ve used it dozens of times and just this year flipped it over to avoid the dimple that began to form on top.