Im interested to know if you guys have any more modifications. I modified my hoist because i hate the bending over and the constant removing of the bar from the jack to the release valve. I didnt find much on the search.
I have a modification I am looking at, which is taking a pie cut out of the fold-down legs, so that they are not spread out as far. This lets you go further in when you are coming from the front, over the grille. In the stock configuration, the top of the extensions usually get caught under the lower control arms, and you have little (or none) sideways movement available. The control valve mod is a good one, the removal/insertion of the handle is a PITA. I also have made another extension to the lifting arm, which is a longer piece of 50X50mm(which fits down where the black one normaly goes). Of course the weight it can handle is a lot less, but can be handy if you have to replace a too-heavy for one bloke job (like a Buick straight 8 head into a car.)
I wouldn't want the legs any closer in. Much prefer to just have the car up higher. They need that spread for stability. Especially for sudden movements, like rolling a big engine around and having one wheel suddenly get stuck.
I put a knob on the cylinder valve,,,and replaced the wiggeley front casters with wheels from a pallet jack. I have also used a smaller tube to get more reach.
I have a wooden frame I made that fits on the end of mine that has made it a drywall jack for ceilings and has been put through the windows of a truck cab to lift it from the frame.
It is a pain opening and closing the valve, especially when your working alone, but make sure you don't accidently flip that lever while your shoving the hoist under the car, could get ugly.
I added the HF air assist ram to mine, when the ram that came with it was leaking like a sieve. Works great and you still have the pump handle for small adjustments.
I have a bar across at the top for the legs to rest against, doubles as a great way to steer when in use. The best " adjustment " I've done is the lowrider mod to the legs.
Having just dropped a 5.0 Ford motor from a good height because the hoist tipped over I wouldn't want the legs any closer together either! They aren't all that stable to start with and certainly not with an engine high enough to get it out of a car. Mine ran off the concrete on one side and one of the wheels sunk in the dirt and over it went! Nothing I could do. Motor landed on the oil mount boss cracked it and ruined the block. Fatbrosracing those lowrider legs are awesome! I might have to steal that idea!
I've been wanting to put a crossbar/handle on mine to catch the legs and aid in moving it around every time I use it or move it. I'd agree on not wanting the legs closer. they get wobbly enough. I'm another guy who uses his engine hoist in place of straining the back I have even pulled a broken fence post out of the ground with mine.
X 2 on the crossbar / handle for moving it around. put one on mine, I don't know why they do not come with one. the lowrider legs are a great idea.
I'd flip that lever the other way, so pulling the lever into the open releases it. But that's pretty good set up. The low rider legs is great.
My old hoist had straight wheels up front, non caster style. It was way better. Way way better the the swivelly kill you things This would also work with the low rider legs.
Fat Bros... I Like the Low Rider Mod...(Did you weld the extensions to the base legs?..don't see any holes.) &...the Top Bar (Mo bettah than bungee cords!).. May have to steal those ideas...
My wheels look similar to this, but I re-drilled the spindle holes an inch and a half higher, so the arms were a lot lower to the floor, so it would fit under the car better. Lowrider.
I have never thought about anything but using mine as is. Some cool ideas you guys have came up with here..
I welded a pipe on the upright on mine ,used it for an engine stand then . I did it to save shop space , used it once , sold it then,
Mine came with a cross handle on the upright, makes it easy to move around. I have added a piece of 4"x4" box tubing on mine right now for a boom extension, the Lincoln engine bay is so long I can't sit my engine back where it needs to go with the factory boom. I sit the engine in the car with the factory boom and let it rest on the cross member, then I put the square tubing extension on and pick up the engine and sit it back the rest of the way. Can't get very high with it because the extension is out past the legs, just high enough to clear the mounts.
Mine came with the upper crossbar. It helps a lot for steering the thing around. My next chore with mine is to partially disassemble it. I want to unbolt the boom assy from the base and hang the whole mess on the wall. It would sure safe some precious floor space.
I cut and welded the original legs, any shortening was offset by the front wheel mounts. Feel free to use the ideas, that's what this is all about isn't it?
I've still got one of these I built thirty years ago. Used 2 x 6 tube for the top, made it easier to build a trolley for a chainfall. My kids thought for years that it was their swingset!
I have not done it yet but plan to mount a small worm gear winch to the boom to allow lowering an engine even more than lowering the boom will allow before hitting the fenders, front sheet metal.