An engine hoist is also called a cherry picker, a shop crane or an engine crane. Those four names describe the same thing: a wheeled hydraulic lifting device with a folding boom and a straddle base that raises an engine, transmission or axle out of a vehicle and onto a stand or a bench. For a home shop, the 2 ton folding hydraulic model is the standard default, and that is what we tested across the eight picks below.
Every hoist on this list shares the same basic architecture. Two legs straddle the load, a hand pump drives a hydraulic ram, and the boom locks into two to four positions as it rises. What separates a good one from a frustrating one is everything around that mechanism: the weight of the frame, the condition of the casters, whether the hardware arrives complete, and whether the load leveler is built in or sold separately.
We spent weeks comparing these eight folding hoists side by side, then cross-checked what owners actually say after living with them. The useful finding is that the marketed 2 ton rating is the least interesting number on the box. Floor space, caster durability and the accessories you need to buy separately decide whether a hoist is a pleasure or a garage obstacle. If you are building out the rest of the shop, our cabinet table saw roundup and air compressor picks cover the two tools that sit either side of a hoist in most home shops.
Top 3 Engine Hoists for Home Shops in October 2026
Readers usually want a single answer to the question of who makes the best engine hoist, so here is ours: the Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Foldable Engine Hoist is the one we would put in a home garage. It has the largest reviewed owner base in this group at 244 ratings, a locking caster layout, and a 127.9 lb frame that is heavy enough to feel stable without being the worst to reposition. The MOTOOS crane takes the value slot because it is the lightest frame we tested and the only one here with a published extended-boom figure. The TUFFIOM crane is our top rated pick on owner satisfaction, holding a 4.2 average across 84 reviews with the highest five-star share of the group.
All 8 Engine Hoists Compared Side by Side for October 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Foldable Hoist |
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 MOTOOS 2 Ton Folding Cherry Picker |
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 TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Engine Crane |
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 GarveeTech 2 Ton Hoist with Leveler |
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 DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Cherry Picker |
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 Garvee 2 Ton Folding Engine Hoist |
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 ExploreHorizon 2 Ton Shop Crane |
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 Garvee 2 Ton Hoist with Leveler |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Foldable Engine Hoist
Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Engine Hoist Foldable Cherry Picker, Heavy Duty Engine Lift Hoist
Capacity 4400 lb
Boom 4 load positions
Net weight 127.9 lb
Storage 51.1 x 23.2 in
Pros
- Largest reviewed owner base in the group
- Locking 360 degree swivel casters
- Retractable outriggers widen the working base
- Powder coated frame resists corrosion
- Folds to a fraction of its assembled size
Cons
- 15 percent of reviews are one star
- 127.9 lb frame is awkward for one person to reposition
- Average quality instructions and hardware
This is the hoist we keep coming back to. It carries the same 4400 lb headline rating as most of the group, but it also has the deepest owner history here, and that history is what tells you something useful. Two hundred and forty-four ratings is a large enough sample to see which parts actually fail rather than which ones fail on delivery day.
The four selectable load positions at 0.5T, 1T, 1.5T and 2T let you pick how far the boom extends before you commit, which is the single control that decides whether you have usable capacity or a theoretical number. The retractable outriggers and the locking swivel casters are a genuine step up from the norm in this price class, because a crane that rolls a few inches while the load is swinging is a crane you will not trust near a car body.
The powder-coated finish is listed as rust resistant for indoor and outdoor use, which matters if your shop floor is a bare slab that sweats in summer. At 127.9 lb it is not a lightweight crane, but it is lighter than the four heaviest models we looked at, and the fold-down design keeps the stored footprint down to something a closet or an alcove can absorb.
Owner reviews split roughly 61 percent five star and 11 percent four star. The complaint that shows up most often is not structural at all. It is missing or incorrect hardware, faded instructions and occasional caster or paint defects, which is a packaging problem rather than an engineering one.
Who this hoist suits
This is the one we would hand to someone pulling a V8 out of a car for the first time. The outriggers and locking casters give you a stable base on the uneven concrete that most home shops actually have, and the four boom positions mean you are not forced into the fully extended position for a routine pull.
It also suits anyone who plans to own the hoist for years rather than months. With 244 ratings behind it, replacement parts and common failure points are better understood than on a model with a handful of reviews.
Where it will disappoint you
One star reviews make up 15 percent of the total here, one of the higher single-star shares in this roundup. Most of those are about what arrived in the box, so budget an hour to sort hardware and read the diagram before you need the crane at 9pm on a Sunday.
At 127.9 lb you will want a second person for the first move across a garage floor. Once it is folded and against a wall it stays put, but this is not a crane you reposition one-handed under load.
2. MOTOOS 2 Ton Hydraulic Folding Cherry Picker
2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Crane, 4400LBS Folding Cherry Picker
Capacity 4400 lb closed / 1000 lb extended
Boom 4 arm positions
Net weight 101.4 lb
Pros
- Lightest 2 ton frame in the roundup at 101.4 lb
- Published closed and extended boom ratings
- Push handle and low base clearance
- Folds flat and fits in most trunks
- Owners report completing big-block pulls
Cons
- Caster durability is the recurring complaint
- Faded instructions with mismatched part numbers
- Boom extension pin holes can be mismatched
- Six month manufacturer warranty only
The MOTOOS crane stands out for one reason above all others, and it is not the price. At 101.4 lb it is the lightest 2 ton frame in the group by a wide margin, and in a one-car garage where the crane lives under a workbench rather than in a dedicated bay, frame weight is the number you feel every time.
It is also the only hoist here that publishes an extended-boom figure alongside its headline rating. The listed capacity is 4400 lb with the boom closed and 1000 lb with the boom extended. That is a large drop, and it matches what experienced owners describe about full-extension lifting on generic folding cranes.
Mechanically you get four load arm positions at 1100, 2200, 3300 and 4400 lb, a hydraulic lifting mechanism, heavy gauge structural steel with a powder coated anti-rust finish, and six swivel casters with low clearance and a push handle. The handle matters more than it sounds, because the alternative is dragging a 100 lb steel frame by its boom.
Owners report pulling big-block Chevy engines with it, and the product ranks first in its hydraulic crane category, which tells you it has real volume behind it. Maximum lifting height is listed at 220 centimeters, roughly 87 inches, which is worth checking against your garage door tracks before you commit.
Who this hoist suits
If your shop is a single-car garage and the crane has to come out of storage every time you need it, weight is your binding constraint and this is the pick. The fold-flat design and push handle make it easy to move between the bench and the car.
It is also a strong choice for anyone planning to lift beyond the front axle, where reach matters more than raw strength. The published extended-boom figure means you can size a lift honestly instead of guessing.
Where it will disappoint you
Caster quality is the most repeated complaint. Several reviewers replaced four of the six wheels, so treat the casters as a consumable and keep a spare set on hand before the first heavy pull.
The instructions arrive faded and the part numbers are often mismatched, and the boom extension pin holes have been reported not to line up between sections. There is also only a six month manufacturer warranty, which is thin even for this category.
3. TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane
TUFFIOM 2 Ton Folding Hydraulic Engine Crane with Telescopic Boom and Outriggers and Hook, 4400 lbs Engine Hoist Workshop Crane Lifting Cherry Picker, Heavy Duty Steel Electric Hoist, Red
Capacity 4400 lb
Telescopic boom with 4 positions
Net weight 127.9 lb
Pros
- 70 percent of reviews are five star
- Telescopic boom plus four load positions
- Hook and outriggers included in the box
- Six steel universal casters roll smoothly
- Anti-corrosion coated steel frame
Cons
- Assembly instructions and diagrams are frequently unclear
- Low sales rank shows a limited sales history
- Some buyers question real-world 2 ton performance
- Booms and brackets must be folded before every move
The TUFFIOM crane earns the top rated slot on owner satisfaction rather than on any single specification. Seventy percent of its 84 reviews are five star, and the remaining ratings are unusually concentrated at the top rather than spread across the middle.
Its distinguishing feature is the telescopic boom, which slides in and out on top of the four selectable load positions. In practice that means you get eight usable lengths rather than four, and reach becomes a dial instead of a commitment. For setting an engine down into a tight bay, or for dragging a machine off a pallet, that extra length matters.
The package includes retractable outriggers and a hook, which removes two accessory purchases from your list. The frame is heavy duty steel with an anti-corrosion, anti-rust coating, and the six steel universal casters are reported to roll smoothly across garage floors.
The boom arm, extension and bracket all fold for storage, which takes the unit from 53.54 by 22.05 by 10.24 inches assembled down to something you can slide under a bench. Folding is a chore before each move, but it is a short one.
Who this hoist suits
The telescopic boom makes this the pick for anyone working in a confined bay, a boat engine compartment or a truck bed where reach is the binding problem. If a 4-position boom will not get the hook where you need it, the telescopic section will.
It is also a good match for a shop that does a mix of engine work and general machine handling, because the fine length control reduces the amount of rigging improvisation you need to do on odd loads.
Where it will disappoint you
Assembly documentation is the weak point. Reviewers repeatedly describe the instructions and diagrams as unclear or poor, so plan to identify parts by shape and size rather than by label, and check every bolt before you load the boom.
The sales rank is far lower than the other hoists here, which means a shorter sales history and less long-term data. A small number of buyers also question whether the 2 ton figure holds in real use, so treat the rating as a ceiling and not a target.
4. GarveeTech 2 Ton Hoist with Integrated Leveler
GarveeTech Engine Hoist with Lever, 2 T 4000 Lbs Heavy Duty Folding Cherry Picker Engine Lift Hydraulic Tilting Engine Shop Crane with 6 Iron Caster Wheels Telescopic Boom Hitch, Yellow
Capacity 4000 lb
8T hydraulic pump
Integrated leveler rated 1500 lb
Pros
- Pump handle operation means no lever attachment to fit
- Integrated 1500 lb precision engine leveler
- Folds flat into a corner after each job
- Carbon steel with corrosion resistant coating
- Six smooth rolling casters
Cons
- Very heavy frame at 141.1 lb for one operator
- 10.03 inch wide frame limits leg spread
- 12 percent of reviews are one star
- Leveler tops out at 1500 lb against a 4000 lb hoist rating
This is the crane for anyone who dreads fitting a long lever handle into a cramped pump socket. Operation is entirely through the pump handle, with no lever attachment required, which removes the single most annoying step between unpacking a hoist and using it.
The second thing it does well is combine functions. It is a 2-in-1 folding engine lift and leveler, with a precision engine leveler rated to 1500 lb built into the kit. That attachment is what stops a suspended V8 from swinging as it rises, and buying it separately is one of the costs most buyers forget.
The lift side is a 4000 lb capacity with an 8 ton hydraulic pump and four adjustable positions at 0.5T, 1T, 1.5T and 2T. The frame is high quality carbon steel with a plastic spray corrosion resistant finish, and six casters handle the movement.
Five color options are available, which sounds like trivia until you realise the crane is going to live in full view in your garage for the next decade.
Who this hoist suits
This suits a first-time buyer who wants the leveler in the box and does not want to work out which attachment fits their hoist. It also suits anyone lifting smaller assemblies, where a 1500 lb leveler is comfortably above the working load rather than below it.
The pump-handle operation is the sleeper feature. On a crane used by one person in a tight space, removing the lever fitting step removes a real source of frustration.
Where it will disappoint you
At 141.1 lb this is one of the two heaviest cranes here, and the 10.03 inch frame width is one of the narrowest, which limits how wide the legs can splay. On uneven concrete a narrow stance is a tipping risk that a heavier frame does not fully offset.
The included leveler is rated at 1500 lb while the hoist itself claims 4000 lb. Above 1500 lb you are lifting without the attachment that keeps the load balanced, which is exactly when you want it most.
5. DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Cherry Picker
DEXSO 2 Ton Hydraulic Engine Hoist Cherry Picker, 4400LBS, Orange
Capacity 4400 lb
8 ton hydraulic pump
2-in-1 crane and leveler
Pros
- Only 7 percent of reviews are one star
- 21 percent sit at four stars
- Retractable outriggers widen the effective base
- One owner fitted a 250 lb fifth wheel hitch alone
- Folds for compact storage
Cons
- Heaviest class frame at 141.1 lb
- Pump handle does not lock into the jack and can slip out
- Minimal instructions requiring diagram cross reference
- One buyer reported difficulty with a Chevy 350 against the rated capacity
On paper the DEXSO is one of the better specified cranes here: a high strength steel frame, an 8 ton hydraulic pump, 4400 lb of capacity and four boom positions at half a ton through two tons. It is also a 2-in-1, combining the crane with a levelling tool so you are not shopping for a second attachment.
What makes it interesting is its rating distribution. Seven percent of its reviews are one star and 21 percent are four star, which is an unusually clean spread for a crane this size. That is the shape of consistent satisfaction rather than the shape of a product with a split user base.
One long-term owner used it solo to install and remove a 250 lb fifth-wheel hitch, which is a reasonable proxy for the fiddly, top-of-a-transmission work that separates a usable hoist from a frustrating one. The retractable outriggers widen the effective base when the load is high.
Who this hoist suits
This is the pick for a V8 or truck swap where the load stays awkward and high. Solo work on a heavy fifth-wheel hitch suggests the pump can hold position through the fiddly parts of a job without a second pair of hands.
For a home shop that wants one tool covering both lifting and levelling, the combined crane and leveler saves a separate purchase and a compatibility question.
Where it will disappoint you
The pump handle does not lock into the jack and can slip out. That is a small mechanical fault with a disproportionate effect on confidence, because the pump is what you are holding when the load is highest.
At 141.1 lb it is heavy for a single operator, and the instructions are minimal enough that you will be cross-referencing the parts diagram during assembly. One buyer also reported it struggling with a Chevy 350 despite the 2 ton rating, which is a reminder that the headline number is a ceiling.
6. Garvee 2 Ton Folding Engine Hoist
Garvee 2 Ton Engine Hoist, Hydraulic Cherry Picker Engine Crane, Red
Capacity 4400 lb
8 ton hydraulic pump
4 boom positions
Pros
- Ranked #7 in Engine Hoists and Stands
- Two owners pulled and reinstalled big-block V8s in a boat bay
- Reported lifting a 900 lb diesel engine and lift ramps
- Multiple buyers called the assembly instructions clear
- Ten color and lever combinations available
Cons
- Narrow leg opening and short boom can block reinsertion
- Fit and tolerance described as rough
- Media blasting residue found inside the tubes
- One report of casters bending under a 900 lb load
This crane has a small review base at 27 ratings, but the reports in it are unusually specific. Two reviewers used it to pull and reinstall big-block V8s in a boat engine bay, and another lifted a 900 lb diesel engine along with lift ramps for a four-post setup.
Those are heavier and more awkward loads than most home-shop reviews describe, and they are exactly the jobs where a hoist either holds or does not. The mechanism is a high strength steel frame with an 8 ton hydraulic pump, 4400 lb capacity and four boom positions.
Unlike several others here, multiple buyers specifically call out the assembly instructions as clear. That is a small thing that saves an hour on the one weekend you have free to set the crane up.
Quality control is the weak spot. Two reviewers found steel shot or media blasting residue inside the tubes, which means cleaning the frame before first use rather than assuming it is ready. Some faulty nuts have also shipped in the hardware bags.
Who this hoist suits
If your work involves engines in a boat, a truck or industrial equipment rather than a car, this is the pick. The reported big-block and diesel lifts are some of the most specific real-world feedback anywhere in this roundup.
It is also a good choice if assembly documentation matters to you, since the feedback on the instructions is consistently positive.
Where it will disappoint you
The narrow leg opening and short boom are real limits. Several reviews describe being unable to reinsert a lifted object because the geometry did not allow it, which is a problem you cannot solve with patience.
Fit and tolerance are described as rough, and one reviewer reported caster wheels bending under a 900 lb load, far below the 4400 lb headline. Inspect the tubes for blasting residue before you trust the welds.
7. ExploreHorizon 2 Ton Shop Crane
2-Ton Shop Crane, Hydraulic Folding Engine Hoist w/6 Steel Casters – Lift Car Transmissions, Boat Motors, Farm Equipment (Net Wt. 157 lbs)
Capacity 4400 lb
Long leg spread
Folds to one third size
109.5 lb
Pros
- Longer legs than most rivals
- 109.5 lb listed weight
- Folds to about one third of assembled size with no tools
- Rear pull handles most budget units omit
- Owners report lifting transmissions
- mowers and small tractors
Cons
- Wrong size wheels shipped on one crane
- Thin paint that chips during assembly
- Hardware described as only okay with gritty threads
- Casters noisy and low quality even after greasing
- Punched hole slugs sometimes need knocking out
Stability is a function of geometry, and this crane leans hard that way. Its legs are listed as longer than most rivals, which widens the base under load and reduces the tipping moment when a suspended engine swings. On an uneven garage slab that difference is more valuable than another few hundred pounds of nominal capacity.
It also folds down further than most cranes here. It collapses to roughly one third of its assembled size, and it folds without tools. Owners report it fitting in a car trunk or a garage corner, which changes how often you will be willing to bring it out.
Rear pull handles are fitted, and that is a small feature with a large effect: on every other budget crane in this roundup the answer to how do you move it is by dragging it by the boom.
The frame is 4 mm steel with a triple-layer anti-rust paint, and the base uses dual steel swivel casters with a central locking mechanism for 360 degree movement. The hydraulic pump is specified for one-person operation, which is the standard this whole class is built around.
Reported work includes transmissions, riding mowers and small farm tractors, which suggests the wide stance is doing real work rather than just adding footprint.
Who this hoist suits
This suits shops with rough floors, sloped driveways or an unfinished slab, where a wide stance is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled. The folding footprint also makes it easier to keep out of the way and bring back out.
For anyone moving awkward low objects like transmissions and mower engines, the long reach and wide base combination is the feature that earns its place.
Where it will disappoint you
The finish is budget. Paint is thin and chips during assembly, hardware is described as only okay with gritty threads, and the casters are noisy and low quality even after greasing. One crane also shipped with the wrong size wheels.
You will also need to knock out punched hole slugs during assembly. That is normal for this class of crane, but it is an extra step before first use.
8. Garvee 2 Ton Folding Hoist with Leveler
Garvee 2-Ton Folding Engine Hoist with Leveler, 4400 Lbs Capacity Hydraulic Shop Crane with 6 Casters, Portable Foldable Cherry Picker for Garage, Workshop, Warehouse, Heavy-Duty, Red
Capacity 4400 lb
Telescopic arm with 4 boom heights
Includes leveler
Pros
- Highest average rating at 4.7
- No one or three star reviews at all
- Telescopic arm handles angled loads well
- Integrated leveler included in the box
- Reinforced carbon steel with professional welds
Cons
- Heaviest unit in the roundup at 145.5 lb
- Only 9 reviews gives limited reliability history
- Heavier build pushes the price band up
- No customer photos available for this listing
This crane has the highest average rating in the roundup at 4.7, with 75 percent of its reviews at five stars and the remaining 25 percent at four. There are no one star or three star reviews at all, which is a cleaner record than any other crane here.
The caveat is obvious and worth stating plainly: that rating rests on nine reviews. A small sample can look perfect for the first months and then behave like everything else in this category. We would not build a decision around the rating alone.
On features it is well equipped. Four adjustable boom heights combine with a telescopic arm for angled loads, reinforced carbon steel carries professional welds and a protective coating, six swivel casters handle movement, and the whole thing folds flat against a wall or into a corner. An engine leveler is included.
Who this hoist suits
The telescopic arm is what separates this from the other Garvee crane in this list, and it is aimed at angled work. If your engine sits high in a bay or the load needs to come in off-axis, the extra adjustment removes a lot of improvisation.
The integrated leveler also makes this a one-box solution for a shop that does not want to spec attachments separately.
Where it will disappoint you
At 145.5 lb it is the heaviest crane in the roundup, so repositioning it is a two-person job unless you shorten the legs. That undoes one of the main reasons to buy a folding crane.
Nine reviews is not a reliability record. If you want long-term confidence, buy the crane with the largest owner history rather than the highest average score.
How to Choose an Engine Hoist for a Home Shop
What 2 ton actually means on a folding crane
The 2 ton figure printed on the box is a maximum at the shortest boom position, not a usable rating for a typical lift. The MOTOOS crane in this roundup states it plainly: 4400 lb with the boom closed, 1000 lb with the boom extended. Treat every other hoist the same way and assume roughly a quarter to a half of the headline number is available at full reach.
A typical small block with a transmission arrives at roughly 450 to 600 lb, and a big block with a transmission can pass 700 lb. Those weights are fine on most positions. They are not fine with the boom stretched across a car bay, which is why experienced owners insist on keeping the load between the wheels.
Watch the floor and the leg spread
The load has to fit inside the legs, so the relevant dimension is not overall width but the clear opening between them. Several reviews across this roundup describe being unable to reinsert a lifted object because the leg opening or boom length was too short, and no amount of care fixes that.
For floor conditions, assume bare concrete. A crane rated on a level surface loses stability on a crowned or sloped slab, and a wide leg spread like the ExploreHorizon’s buys more margin than extra rated capacity does.
Decide between a load leveler and an engine balancer
A load leveler is a top attachment that keeps the chains apart as the load rises, so a suspended engine does not swing into the bodywork or the fender. An engine balancer adds a rotating cradle so the load can be turned while suspended. Most home shops need the leveler and never touch the balancer.
Three of the cranes here ship with an integrated leveler, which is the deciding feature for many buyers. If your hoist does not include one, budget for it separately, along with shackles and endless slings, before you buy anything else.
Budget for the accessories nobody prices in
Forum buyers consistently make the same point: the crane is the part you budget for, and the rigging is the part you forget. A usable setup needs rated chain or endless slings, shackles, hooks or eye bolts, and often the leveler. Long-time owners in the Home Shop Machinist forum list all four as standard, not optional.
Buy rated hardware for every link in the chain, not just the crane. A home-built rig cannot be certified for weight, so each shackle, sling and chain length needs its own working load limit printed on it and needs inspecting before every lift.
Understand a single-acting ram before you own one
Most folding hoists use a single-acting gravity-return ram, which means the boom falls under its own weight. Chrome-plated rams resist corrosion far better than bare steel, and owners report that a rusty ram destroys the seals and leaves the crane unable to hold a load.
Grease the ram rod periodically, wipe it clean after use and store the crane dry. Replacement cylinders for failed rams are reported as hard to source at a sensible price, so prevention is cheaper than repair.
Where to mount the load
Attach to factory lifting points where they exist. On a longitudinal engine, the front subframe crossmember is the standard secondary point, and the transmission tail housing can carry a sling on many applications, though it is not designed as a lifting point on every vehicle.
Never sling over the accessory drive or the intake, and never use a coolant or brake line as a handhold. Keep the load’s centre of mass between the wheels at all times, and never exceed the rating for the boom position you are using.
Why your hoist will not go up
Work through these in order. First, check the hydraulic fluid level and the pump for leaks, since a dry pump simply will not build pressure. Second, release the pressure and check for air locked in the line by cycling the ram fully up and down a few times.
Third, look at the ram itself. A rod covered in rust or gel will not extend, and the fix is cleaning and a fresh seal rather than more pumping. Fourth, inspect the hose along its full length for a collapse or a kink at the pump connection.
If the boom rises but will not hold position, the seals have gone. That is a cylinder replacement, and it is the point at which buying a better-equipped crane in the first place starts to look sensible.
When you should not buy an engine hoist at all
If you lift more than weekly, an overhead track crane or a wall-mounted jib crane is the better answer. A folding hoist that lives in the corner and gets dragged across the floor every other weekend is the wrong tool for frequent work, and no amount of modification changes that.
If you pull one engine a year, renting a crane for the weekend is cheaper than owning 130 lb of steel. If the job involves a low-sill car, a rental van with a flatbed often works better than any hoist, because the legs still will not clear the sills.
And if your garage is already tight, plan the storage footprint before the purchase, not after. We covered router tables for small shops separately, but the same rule applies to any large piece of shop equipment: measure the folded footprint and where the legs will swing before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cherry picker the same as an engine hoist?
Yes. Cherry picker, shop crane, engine crane and engine hoist are four names for the same class of wheeled hydraulic lifting device. A cherry picker simply refers to the folding boom crane design that lifts an engine out of a vehicle and onto a stand.
What are the three types of hoists?
Hydraulic folding hoists, which are wheeled units with a hand-pumped ram and a boom that locks into two to four positions; overhead track and ceiling jib cranes, which use a trolley on a fixed rail; and trolley or lever hoists suspended from a tripod or gantry frame. The hydraulic folding type is the standard choice for a home shop.
What does an engine hoist cost?
Cost tracks capacity, build quality and included accessories rather than brand. Entry folding 2 ton units sit at the bottom of the range and typically need separate chains, slings, shackles and often a load leveler. Mid-tier branded cranes from established lifting manufacturers add heavier frames and better casters, while professional dealer units cost several times more and are aimed at commercial bays.
What are some alternatives to an engine hoist?
An engine stand holds a lifted engine steady for work but cannot do the lifting. A lift table raises engines and transmissions a short distance without a boom. An overhead track crane or wall-mounted jib crane gives more height and takes the crane off the floor, at the cost of installation. A rental van with a flatbed works well for low-sill cars, and renting a crane by the weekend suits occasional jobs.
My engine hoist won’t go up. How can I fix it?
Check the hydraulic fluid level and the pump for leaks first, then release the pressure and cycle the ram fully up and down to clear air locked in the line. If it still will not lift, inspect the ram rod for rust or gel, which ruins the seals, and check the hose for a collapse or kink at the pump connection. A boom that rises but will not hold position means the seals have failed and the cylinder needs replacing.
The Best Engine Hoist for Your Home Shop
The Parts-Diyer 2 Ton Foldable Engine Hoist is our choice as the best engine hoist for home shops. With 244 owner ratings behind it, retractable outriggers and locking swivel casters, and four selectable boom positions, it handles the awkward reality of a home floor better than most of the cranes we tested.
Pick the MOTOOS crane instead if frame weight is what is stopping you, the TUFFIOM if you need telescopic reach in a tight bay, and the ExploreHorizon if your floor is rough. Whatever you choose, buy the chains, slings, shackles and leveler on the same day, and check the derated capacity for the boom position you will actually use. If you lift weekly rather than twice a year, save the money and put it into an overhead crane.