using tractor FEL as engine crane/hoist

[z0lt3c]

I'm going to attempt to use the FEL on my B7800 as an engine hoist this weekend to pull an engine out of a BMW sedan. I'm thinking the best approach would be to use my FEL mounted carry-all forks, attach one end of a pair of chains to the fork and the other ends to the engine lifting points. Up with the loader and back with the tractor until the engine separates from chassis ?? I am also thinking about using chains under the engine as well, to form a cradle.

Has anybody else attempted this with their loader ... any points or tips?

Thanks,

 

[rdln]

I have done this once in my jeep pickup. It was fine, I worked at a seat belt company and had a strap sewn up with anchors on the ends.

I would try chaining to your bucket first, seems like a line attached 4 or five feet away from the pivots would not allow you to feather the controls.

The cradle idea sounds iffy, being below the CG of the engine would cause too much roll.

 

[aczlan]

Use the engine lifting points. That is what they were made for and you will be less likely to break something with them than trying to rig up a cradle.

Aaron Z

 

[carpenter383]

Not sure what exactly you're working on but is that engine meant to come out from under the car?
I've pulled a few from the top that were meant to come out the bottom (don't have a lift yet), and it can be done, but it ain't fun! lol
Just be careful, it's hard to judge how much pressure you're applying with a tractor! Take it slow and double check that ALL the hoses, fuel lines, wires, etc. are disconnected.

 

[CurlyDave]

...use my FEL mounted carry-all forks...

If these are the clamp-on forks, I am not certain they are designed for this amount of weight, if you put the chain out at the very tip of the fork. The fork rating is for a pair of forks with the weight evenly distributed along the length of both forks.

I have grab hooks for either 3/8" or 5/16" chain welded on my bucket, and I can go from the hook, over the lip of the bucket and down to the load.

If it is rear wheel drive, I have always removed the transmission before removing the engine. I have never removed a front wheel drive engine/transmission, but I think they come out as one unit.

Approach the car from the side with the tractor and the load will be closer to your bucket pivot. Lift the engine and then push the car back by hand. If you try to move the tractor with the engine suspended it is going to swing, probably more than you think. Just wheel your engine stand up, lower the engine and bolt it on without moving the tractor.

Go really really slow as you clear the engine mount bolts.

I wouldn't make up a cradle of chains under the engine -- too much chance of it getting snagged on something. Just attach to the proper lift point(s) with as short a chain as practical. The lift point is designed to hold the weight with a safety factor.

 

[Timber]

I would use a come-a-long off the forks. Clamp a pipe across the forks and suspend the come-a-long from the pipe. Thats how I do it with forklifts. You will be able to move in small increments till your sure it is free. especially putting it back in. The loader is rated for a 1000 lbs. I know my clamp on forks are the same depending how far out you go. You will be better off using a pip across the forks rather than 1 or 2 forks in the middle of the bucket.

 

[bigtiller]

I would buy a cherry picker/engine puller. Or even rent/borrow one. Under no circumstances will I work under a loader bucket or pallet forks. It's just too much weight over head should something cause it to suddenly come down.

 

[Pops15]

I would buy a cherry picker/engine puller. Or even rent/borrow one. Under no circumstances will I work under a loader bucket or pallet forks. It's just too much weight over head should something cause it to suddenly come down.

Theres no reason to be under the bucket. He can unbolt everything, support the trans with a jack (if he's not pulling it with the engine), hook the chain to the engine, then hook the chain from the bucket to the chain thats on the engine (and that can be done with the loader lowered and in front of the car).

 

[z0lt3c]

Here is the carry-all I use on the FEL;

You can see there are 2 holes in the lower "fork" which allow me to attach chains at fixed points along the length of the attachment. I was thinking of using a Y type connection to the engine lifting points, so the weight can be centered between the forks.

I have the whole front clip removed, so I have unobstructed forward access to the engine. The engine does come up and out, away from the chassis mounts. I can remove all connections between engine and chassis before even moving the tractor into position, I think it's a pretty safe lift... I am more concerned about damaging the engine!

Using a come along is a great idea, unfortunately I don't have one, but I think that a floor jack under the engine can provide similar minor adjustment that maybe more difficult w/ the loader. For those interested, here is where I am at with the disconnection process;

Thanks,

 

[NH-Rob]

I would buy a cherry picker/engine puller. Or even rent/borrow one. Under no circumstances will I work under a loader bucket or pallet forks. It's just too much weight over head should something cause it to suddenly come down.

I would use the tractor. You have the tractor and are looking to use it any chance you can. You also have a backhoe would this work better than the bucket? Take some pictures you know we love them.
Rob