CHOOSING THE BEST TYPE OF ENGINE HOIST FOR YOUR NEXT CAR REPAIR JOB

MANUAL CHAIN ENGINE HOISTS
The simplest, yet one of the most efficient tools for lifting heavy loads like engine blocks for example are manual chain engine hoists, because these basically are a bit fancier version of rope hoists, that people have been using for hundreds of years to lift heavy objects. The manual chain hoist consists of three main parts: hand and load chain, that you use to lift and lower the heavy load, the head of the engine hoist where the gear system is located, for you to be able to lift big loads by pulling on the chain and the steel hook that you hook your load on for lifting. The best thing about manual hoists is their price, because compared to other hoists they are fairly cheap, yet very efficient. Although you will need to install this chain hoist above the ground, preferably hang it from a suitably rated ceiling or wall, to be able to actually lift anything with it, you will be able to lift a variety of heavy objects that weights up to 30 tonnes by just pulling the chain, because a smaller force exerted over a long distance of the hoist chain transforms into a large amount of force over a small distance, enabling you to slowly lift even very heavy objects by yourself. And because this tool needs to be hung up, it won’t take up much any space on the ground, so you can use manual chain hoist in even the smallest of garages and workshops. View our range of manual chain hoists now

HYDRAULIC ENGINE HOISTS
Next up are the hydraulic engine hoists or hoists that use hydraulic jack to lift car engines or any other heavy objects. Unlike chain hoists, these hydraulic ones need to be placed on the ground for you to be able to use them to lift heavy objects, because the hydraulic hoist consists of four main parts: 2 heavy grade steel legs with 4 to 6 swivel casters under them, so you can easily move the hoist around, even if there is a 2 ton engine placed on the hoist, upright post made from steel tubes that makes up the body of the hoist, the hydraulic jack that is made up from two cylinders, pumping mechanism, oil reservoir, a ram and a bleeder valve and allows you to actually lift heavy things with this hoist, and a telescopic boom equipped with steel chain and hook where you can hook up your load that you are going to be lifting with the hoist. Even though the hydraulic hoist is more expensive than manual hoist and will take up more space in your work area, they also are made to handle extremely heavy loads and won’t require you to hang up the hoist, meaning that you can use it even outdoors if you wish and move it around if you have a larger work area. And you can fold most of these hydraulic hoists into smaller units when they need to be stored or transported that way also letting you save space when you are not using the hoist.

ELECTRIC CHAIN AND WIRE ENGINE HOISTS
And third option in hoists that you can use for your next car repair job are the electric chain hoists and wire versions, that, like their name suggests, are fully electric and will lift heavy leads with a push of a button. The working principle of an electric engine lift is similar to a regular chain hoist, but the difference is that with electric hoist instead of having to pull the chain manually to lift an engine block or any other heavy objects with it, the hoist is equipped with an electric motor that will do the lifting for you. All you need to do is to manage the lifting process with a remote control console. So if you want to have a hoist to lift heavy objects and you don’t mind spending a little more money on it, I would recommend buying an electric hoist, because it will allow you lift up to 2 and 3 ton objects quickly and painlessly and if required, some hoists can offer capacities up to 30Tonnes.

CONCLUSION
So how to decide which hoist is best suited for your needs and your situation.  To determine this you can answer three simple questions:

How often you are going to use the hoist and what types of heavy loads you will be lifting with this tool?
Does your work space is suitable to install manual or electric chain hoist or it is better suited for an on-the-ground hydraulic hoist?
What is your budget for the lifting tool?
If you know that the hoist will be needed only on some occasions, and afterwards you will have to store it somewhere, or if your work space isn’t fit for a manual or electric chain hoist instillation, I would suggest buying a hydraulic hoist, since it can be disassembled and reassembled in seconds and doesn’t require any instillation like chain hoists do. But if you will be lifting engine blocks and other types of heavy loads frequently and the place you will be doing the lifting in has a sturdy ceiling or other construction that is suitable for a chain hoist instillation, then go for a manual or electric hoist, depending on how big of a budget you have, how quickly you want the lifting to get done and how much effort you want to put into the lifting, because electric hoists although will lift even the heaviest of loads quickly and won’t require any effort from you, will be much more expensive than regular manual hoists that are slower and a bit harder to use but will get the job done either way.

Billy Ray Miller- Guest Blogger of knockoutengine.com