E30 Zone

Hi decided to get engine crane , will be pulling out a 325 and auto box, do i need a 1 ton or a 2 ton crane also any recommendations which one and who does the best deals . thanks

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ine-stands

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... ine-stands

1 ton and a load leveller, do not under estimate the use of a load leveller especially if working on you own.

VAT free days are common

Just did this job.

I have a sealey crane and only on 1/4ton max reach was I able to picku/pull the engine out.

That's OK weight wise but you need a longer arm really.

Load leveler? Hell yes you need one!! Someone said today about using rope. I guess you could I'd not.

The higher the lift capacity of a crane,the longer the lifting arm is!
So when shopping for a crane,you need to take account of the distance from the lifting point(the front of the engine bay)to the load centre,then add a bit for safety.
These one tonne engine cranes will lift an M20 without failing,but will they reach far enough over the bay to do the job?
Another consideration is moving the suspended load,you have to lift the engine up over the front panel,so does the crane have nice big wheels that run easily?
I have not used a load leveller myself,but one would be a nice luxury to have.I use an old seatbelt as a sling.

Thanks for the info , so 1 ton will do it but best to get 2 ton and loadf leveller is a must , will watch the abov e link and see if vat free day comes up. thanks again, (will be back on when i do the swap for assistance)

Steer clear of the £129 1 ton ebay specials. bought one last november and it's not great. The bolts supplied are shite, and the plug fell out of the hydraulic ram filling si's car with fluid. then it was a c*nt to bleed and when I queried it with the company???

"ooh sorry sir! it's out of gaurantee!!"

3 months only which is not stated very clearly at all on the auction listing.

It does the job but is just an occasional tool. I wouldn't want to use it in anger.