Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Gale Hawkins]

Just got back with $209 of stuff (save $175 per them) I was focused on the super saver items and did not get back in that corner.

Actually Jack ran around the store gathering my items for me.

 

[1401rider]

I see no list of your new toys

 

[IslandTractor]

Can anyone recall the lowest selling price they have seen the 2 Ton folding engine hoist in maybe the last year or so?

Foldable Shop Crane - 2 Ton

I'm thinking of buying one tomorrow with the 25% off coupon and $209 price. That takes it to $156.
They regularly sell for the $209 but I think I saw them for $125 or so within the past few months.
Anyone remember?

I got one last summer with 20% coupon and sale. I recall it was just about $150.

Easy to put together. Cannot recall why exactly I bought it though as I don't lift engines. I'll have to consider it one of my boys and toys acquisitions. It is a lot of metal for $150.

 

[sixdogs]

I got one last summer with 20% coupon and sale. I recall it was just about $150.

Easy to put together. Cannot recall why exactly I bought it though as I don't lift engines. I'll have to consider it one of my boys and toys acquisitions. It is a lot of metal for $150.

These have lots of uses.
I saw a guy lift an 800 lb tiller out of my truck with one.
Saw a guy lift the front of his smallish Kubota to slide the mower deck out and back in.
I tried the same front end lift with a 75HP loader tractor and the new hood and grille for my B7800 was $450. Yeah, ouch.

Last summer I borrowed one to put an engine in my hot rod and it worked really slick.
First couple ideas I have is loading and unloading an empty 100 gallon fuel tank in the back of my truck
and putting an engine in a new-build hot rod this summer.

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree their are lots of potential uses for the lifting device and it is solidly built. I just can never seem to remember to use it and continue to use the tractor with lift boom (much less precise but easier to move once lifted) , or I just muscle things with ramps and skinned knuckles. One of these days I remember to use it though.

 

[California]

Seems like the shop crane would be useful for handling wheel weights and loaded tires, something you can't do with the tractor's own loader.

 

[sixdogs]

Seems like the shop crane would be useful for handling wheel weights and loaded tires, something you can't do with the tractor's own loader.

We could almost have a thread on "Useful things made easier with a Harbor Freight shop crane". Never thought of using for heavy tires but that's a great idea. And weights are a real bear without help. My Deere 5520 suitcase weights are 110 lbs and the front starter weight is 285 lbs. Rears have to be a couple hundred each.

Not that you take them off every day but you have to call in favors to make changes. I had been waffling about spending the $$ to buy one today--recently retired--but I think the combo of better price and toss in the 25% off coupon makes it more appealing.

Like someone else said--it is an awful lot of metal for $156 and it is well made.

 

[IslandTractor]

Part of the challenge using the shop crane is the limitation posed by having only a hook as the attachment point. Maybe we could get an expert TBN rigger or bosun to teach us tricks to attach awkward load shapes.

 

[sixdogs]

Part of the challenge using the shop crane is the limitation posed by having only a hook as the attachment point. Maybe we could get an expert TBN rigger or bosun to teach us tricks to attach awkward load shapes.

Well, I have a 100 gallon square diesel tank I load in the back of the pickup and, while I have not done it yet, plan to run two straps around it and lift in the center. It's not heavy, just awkward and this should work fine and I have done similar things in the past.

For a tire, some sort of lifting strap seems like it work work fine. You would just need a shorter one. Same for weights.
Surely someone makes a lifting strap that is shorter?
You are right--that hook on the end has limited application.

Edit--Found straps and I already have them. Made for towing applications to wrap around the axle and chain car to the trailer.
Mine are 24" but at car show swap meets and in trailer catalogs I have seen various lengths and strengths.

 

[IslandTractor]

I guess ratchet or cam lock tie down straps could be used as adjustable lifting straps.