21 Oct 2021
DO YOU NEED AN ENGINE CRANE? EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are an industry that deals with lifting heavy loads, then it's likely you will be familiar with an engine crane, which is also known as an engine hoist. However, if you're new to the industry or are starting to work with new, heavier, items in the premises of your workspace, you might be questioning which solution is right for you or its right for your business challenge.
At Lifting Equipment Store (LES), we always aim to give you the most up-to-date information to be able to make an informed decision on what the most practical piece of equipment is to solve your business challenge.
This is why in this article we wanted to give you an overview of what this product is, how you can use the equipment, the different types available, and factors to consider before you purchase one and when using one.
Whether you're well-acquainted with what an engine hoist is or you've only recently heard of one, this article can help you discover everything you need to know about this product and if you need one or not.
If by the end of this article you're wondering if this helpful lifting solution is the right solution for your business challenge or not, please contact a regularly trained member of the LES team where you will have all your requirements listened to and be provided with options tailored to your business.
So, let's start with understanding what one is...
WHAT IS AN ENGINE CRANE?
As a generalised summary, they are a common repair tool that is used primarily in vehicle repairs to remove engines.
It essentially uses its structure to lift, hold, and move the engine in short distances through the air, and out of the way, so that a mechanic can work in the now open space and access otherwise tricky to get to compartments.
However, this innovative lifting solution is not just to be used in the vehicle maintenance or repair industry, as it can be particularly useful to have if you work in an industry where you are having to lift heavy and awkward loads on a regular basis.
You can get them in a variety of different sizes and models with various weight lifting capabilities, which we go into further down in this article, and we always recommend you check the weights you need to lift, move, and hold before purchasing an engine hoist.
If you're looking for a more detailed breakdown of what this lifting solution is, you can check out the article 'How do engine cranes work and what do they do?' where you can get a full overview of how they work, the design, and where they are used.
HOW YOU CAN USE ONE EFFECTIVELY
When you're working with heavy loads, it will always come with some risk to your business and your team or operators using the equipment. There will always be precautions you will have to take to make sure you and your employees are safe, and at LES we always want to make you and your team aware of as many risks as possible and how to lower the possibility of these problems happening.
They are a popular choice amongst factories and production plants that work with heavy duty material and awkward sized objects and has been designed in a way to make it easy to use as a result.
It has two sets of pulleys that allow movement of the load it's carrying. These two sets of pulleys allow you to use it for lifting, moving, holding, lowering, and stabilising heavy duty and awkward sized items.
You can use them indoors and/or outdoors, you just need to make sure it has its wheels on lock and is on a flat service. We don't recommend using one on a slanted surface as it can potentially cause damage if the weight makes it move and pick up speed.
There are serval types of hoists; electric hoists, manual or hoists that activate their use by the use of a lever. Therefore, chose which one bests suits you and your industry.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES AVAILABLE?
You now know what this product is and we've also examined how you can use one. So, let's now look together at what variations are available.
HYDRAULIC ENGINE HOISTS
Hydraulic engine hoists are a widely used type and likely the one you've seen if you've come across an engine hoist in a car repair shop before.
A hydraulic version consists of a set of legs, an upright frame, and an adjustable boom with a chain and hook. As the name suggests, hydraulic hoists incorporate a hydraulic bottle jack to lift and lower the load. You typically insert a jack handle at the bottom of the unit and manually pump the jack to increase hydraulic fluid pressure. This raises the hoist’s boom, which holds a grab hook to attach to the engine itself.
Hydraulic engine hoists are quick, less expensive (usually), have a lifting capacity, and are overall easy to use. Additionally, they can be used indoors or outdoors, and they rarely require maintenance.
However, it's important for you to note that they still take some time to complete the lifting process. But, then again, so do most hoists.
CHAIN ENGINE HOISTS
The chain engine hoist uses a gear system and a set of chains to multiply lifting force. By manually pulling on one chain it activates the gear system and begins the hoisting process. This gear system includes various sized sprockets and uses its gear ratio to multiply the lifting force as it is applied to the hand chain by the user.
A chain hoist has a ratchet or braking system to prevent the attached parts from lowering when the hand chain is not being pulled. These hoists are inexpensive, easy to operate, and are quite small. However, it cannot hold loads over 6 tonnes, requires special mounting considerations, and these types of hoists are overall slower than hydraulic and electric hoists.
ELECTRIC CHAIN HOISTS
Although electric chain hoists are not readily used you will still find electric hoists in some automotive shops, factories, or warehouses.
Like chain hoists, electric hoists use a set of chains to lift the engine. The big difference is electric chain hoists do not require manual operation. They have an internal motor, which is activated by remote control and provides lifting power. That makes the electric hoist the easiest and fastest hoist to use, and it is ideal for shops where frequent lifting is required.
You will need to consider that when you are using these hoists, they do require a mounting point and a power source.
POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU'RE USING
At LES, we always want to make sure you're in the safest environment when using any type of lifting or moving good equipment. For that reason, we've put a number of aspects to remember so you can have some action points to ensure a higher level of safety when you're using an engine hoist.
BEWARE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU
When you have a pulley installed this does not prevent the load from falling and causing damage or injury to a member of your team, potentially putting them out of work, or a visitor on your business site.
It's not wise for you to assume the load is safe from falling, so please make sure you're constantly aware of the people around you. If you are working around people on a regular basis while dealing with an engine hoist, we always recommend you make sure no one goes underneath the load, and people within the vicinity stay away from the area where the load could potentially fall.
OBSERVE THE CHAIN
The chains of the pulley on the hoists should often be inspected to ensure it is in working condition. The chain can often get tangled, twisted, or even damaged during use. Therefore, if this is the case you should have a professional inspect it and repair any damage that has occurred.
CHECK THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOISTS
The hoist itself should never have any restrictions in movement. The hoist should be able to go in a straight line between hooks. If it can't, please make sure you get yours checked as this is a warning that its faulty.
THE LOAD MUST BE PLACED CORRECTLY
Making sure the load is distributed equally is imperative. This makes the load secure and less likely to fall. The load should not be loosened and if you see the load is unbalanced, you should stop immediately to prevent damage to you, your team, any other personnel, and/or the surrounding work area.
SAFETY WARNINGS
Safety instructions can often be found on a sticker on the side of the product. Read these instructions carefully and if you do not understand how to work the hoist then ask an experienced member of staff or contact the company for further instructions.
TRAIN PEOPLE WHO ARE USING THE HOIST
Often people assume certain machinery is easy to use, however, the worker in charge of any machine should know exactly how to use it. Each model is different so instruction may vary and we recommend that you check the model and instructions before use.
DIFFERENT VERSIONS YOU CAN GET
You can get them from worldwide suppliers that include manufacturers that include LES, Steerman, and PFAFF. Which one is right for you specifically might need a bit more attention and you can use the below information as a starting point.
Whether you are purchasing from LES or not, we always recommend that you do your research and ensure you are buying from a trusted brand and buying a piece of equipment, whether it's this piece of equipment or something entirely different, that is right for your business challenge and can provide the right solution.
You can see a number of the different variations available below and please check the links included in the text to find out more about each one.
THE FOLDABLE WORK VERSION
The foldable work version is a superb garage and workshop version that is suitable for a variety of applications. This particular piece of equipment is easy to use and suitable for every-day professionals all the way through to mechanical amateurs.
These particular models go up to 2000kg capacity and are great for heavy duty items. The product is easily foldable and meets CE safety standards.
LES OWN BRAND
The LES own brand version is a low profile which is a superb addition to the industrial workshop and it comes with a month's warranty and LES product support.
This version is foldable, has a quick lifting double action pump, fits under machinery, has a forged heavy duty swivel hook, and a 125% overload test applied.
STEERMAN 1,000 EC STANDARD FOLDING PORTABLE
The Steerman 1,000 EC standard folding portable engine crane provides a reasonable and well suited 1,000kg lifting capacity- big enough for most car engines as the average engine weighs around 200kg.
It has a maneuvering handle, as well as a hook height range from 127mm to 1930mm, and you also get 12 months warranty with this version.
PFAFF 500 KG V SHAPE HWK KLS
The PFAFF 500 kg V shape HWK KLS heavy duty folding version is designed to solve all of your workshop lifting applications. This product has a capacity of 500kg and is the classic V shape. It can also be quickly and easily folded away by one person.
PFAFF 500 KG PARALLEL HWK KLS
The PFAFF 500 kg parallel HWK KLS heavy duty folding version is similar to the V shape PFAFF 500kg and still has a capacity of 500kg, however, it is parallel instead of V-shaped.
PFAFF 1000KG V SHAPE HWK KLS
The capacity of the PFAFF 1000kg V shape HWK KLS heavy duty folding engine crane is 1000kg and this is the V shape model.
PFAFF 1,000KG PARALLEL HWK KLS
The capacity of the PFAFF 1,000kg parallel HWK KLS heavy duty folding engine crane is 1000kg and this is the parallel model.
DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED AN ENGINE CRANE?
Overall, no matter what style of engine hoist you choose, typical weight capacities should be your first consideration when you're buying one.
We discovered together that engine hoists can be particularly beneficial to use in your factory, workshop, or warehouse. Hopefully, you will be able to understand how this piece of lifting equipment is reliable and easy to use to lift heavy loads making the process an easy one.
What we haven't discussed is how this solution can help your business challenge specifically and what solution is right to help your business achieve more.
If you are left thinking if this heavy lifting solution is right for your business, please contact an experienced and regularly trained member of the LES team where we will be happy to discuss with you the right solution for you.
