Picked up a new (well new to me) tool for moving engines around the shop and pulling engines and drive trains. It is a Vestil mobile crane, basically a powered engine lift with an open front as the weight is in the back, so it does not have to go under the car when pulling an engine. I would not have paid full price for this, but given it was surplus from another business, it is definitely a tool I'll be using on a fairly regular basis. Self propelled, electric drive and powered hydraulics make it easy to move around and use.
I have to yank a drive train over the weekend so will put it to use. Nothing I could not do with the old engine crane, but I don't have to then push the 600 pound crane and engine/transmission assembly around the shop. I pulled the drive train over the holidays from the Intermechanica project and it was a pain in such a low sports car to try to get the crane legs under the car, so the crane could be centered on the engine. With this toy, drive up, extend the boom, lift it up and drive away!
I'll take some pictures of it in operation soon.
First test will be an easy one, next one will be to reinstall the drivetrain into the Intermechanica, which will be tougher but much easier with this machine.
I just noticed the top ram for the boom extension. Now I really like it.
Yes, the boom has three positions set with a pin and then the hydralic boom extension, so the overall reach is really deep, probably half the length of the Spitfire. The lift is limited to 400 pounds at full extension, 800 at half extended and 1600 retracted.
Well, add that to the list of "tools that I now need."
In reply to dherr (Forum Supporter) :
When you reinstall the drivetrain we need an update on how it went. I can only imagine how much time and effort this thing will save.
ShawnG
MegaDork
2/3/25 12:57 p.m.
That looks like it would reduce the amount of profanity required for an ugly job like that.
