Because of the weight of the block, a special tool is needed to remove or replace a vehicle’s engine. Designed to bear a lot of weight, engine cranes are used to by professional and home mechanics alike. Before you make a purchase, there are some variables you should look out for that may change depending on your needs. As with any mechanic’s tool, it is best to spend a little more and get a better product than to opt for a cheaper, less-effective model.
Engine cranes feature a durable design made from welded steel. They are finished with a powder coat or an enamel coating so that they resist the effects of oxidation and eventual corrosion. Cranes may be of a fixed design or feature foldable legs for easier storage. All engine cranes come with four or six highly durable casters. Heavy-duty models may have casters about 8 cm in diameter with on-ball bearings. The lockable, swiveling casters provide for easy, 360-degree mobility.
The upper part of the tool is the boom, and from there attaches a heavy-duty chain from which an engine hangs. A feature found on some cranes is a multi-position boom, giving you added options when moving engines that vary in size and weight. When the boom is entirely extended on a four-position crane, it can support a half-tonne engine, while it is able to hold a two-tonne engine with the boom in its closed position. The tool also features two inner settings capable of supporting a one-tonne and one-and-a-half tonne engine, respectively.
Once the chain is attached to an engine, a hydraulic pump is used to lift it up and out of the vehicle’s engine compartment. A two-tonne load is more than adequate for virtually any vehicle, so a crane that can bear that weight will serve all of your needs. The crane’s wide base ensures that the weight of the engine doesn’t cause the tool to tip. The height of the boom is adjustable on an engine crane as well. Depending on the crane, the boom may be extended to reach 240 cm or more. For deep-set engines in large trucks and SUVs, the higher the crane can reach the better.
Emergency Fuel Storage Jerry Can – The Scepter MFC
