Engine hoists are must have tools for every professional car mechanic. This is a list of the best and most affordable 1 ton engine hoists on the market.

Torin T31002

Review

This engine hoist is sold by a well known automotive tool manufacturer Torin, which makes one of the most popular budget tools such as hydraulic hoists and stands. Torin T31002 is an engine hoist with 1 ton (2000 lb) maximum lifting capacity. This is one of the top selling 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoists, which has got a good built quality and multiple useful features.

Torin T310002 engine hoist is constructed from a heavy duty, thick steel. All detachable parts of the tool are mounted together with durable steel bolts and pins. The hoist features a foldable design, which is great for those that have a limited space in their work shop or garage. The hoist can be folded to approx. 63x16x8 inch (160x40x20 cm) size and can be easily stored in a corner of your work place. Various parts of the hoist can be detached to make the lifter more compact, so it is easier to transport the tool.

For lifting loads the hoist is equipped with a durable 3 ton (6000 lb) hydraulic jack. To lift a load you need to pump a special metal bar that needs to be inserted in the bottom of the jack. To lower a load there is a bleed valve located on the base of the ram that slowly needs to be opened.

At the bottom of the hoist there are 2 removable and foldable legs with 4 casters. Both rear caster can be rotated 360 degrees around for extended manoeuvrability of the hoist, however both front casters have fixed position for additional durability when lifting loads with extended boom and can only be moved forward and back.

At the top of the hoist there is an adjustable boom with 4 extension positions:

1. 1 ton (2000 lb);
2. 3/4 ton (1500 lb);
3. 1/2 ton (1000 lb);
4. 1/4 ton (500 lb).

The lifting range of Torin T31002 engine hoist from the ground is 78.5 inches (200 cm). At the end of the boom you will find a chain and a hook, where you can attach lifting chains or a load leveler.

Check Pricing and Purchase this Torin T31002 Engine Hoist

Advantages

• Durable, high quality steel construction and parts
• Foldable design for easy storage of the hoist
• Reliable and well known manufacturer

Disadvantages

• Higher price than most other 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoists

Vestil EHN-20-C

Review

Vestil Manufacturing is a large company that makes tools for handling heavy loads and their product range goes from lift tables to hand trucks, engine lifters and other tools. Vestil EHN-20-C is a hydraulic shop crane with 1 ton (2000 lb) lifting capacity. The construction of the hoist is made from a heavy duty steel that provides enough durability to handle up to 1 ton (2000 lb) heavy loads with ease. One thing that makes this engine hoist stand out amongst the rest is the quality welds and paint job, which many other, cheaper hoists lack. The tool is not only pleasant to use, but it also looks nice, which gives a small advantage for this tool. From the practical side Vestil EHN-20-C lifter features a foldable design, which will help if you have a limited space in your work place. Behind the post of the hoist there is a pushing handle with rubber grips that makes moving the tool much easier, when the lifter is holding a load.

Hydraulic shop crane has got a high capacity hydraulic ram that lifts and lowers loads. The lifting and lowering of a load must be done manually, same as with other hoists in this article. Pumping a metal bar that needs to be inserted in the bottom of the ram will lift a load and opening a bleed valve will lover a load. The hoist has got a special mount on the side of the post, where the metal pumping bar can be stored, while not used.

On the bottom of Vestile hoist there are 2 foldable legs with 4 casters. Both legs can be simply folded upwards and secured in a position with metal pins. Below legs there are total of 4 casters, both front casters can only be moved to front and back and both rear casters can be rotated 360 degrees to increase the manoeuvrability of the hoist.

On top of the engine hoist there is an extendable boom with 4 positions:

1. 1 ton (2000 lb) with boom length 36 inches (91 cm) and 20 – 76 inches (51 – 193 cm) lifting range;
2. 3/4 ton (1500 lb) with boom length 40 inches (101 cm) and 17 – 78 inches (43 – 198 cm) lifting range;
3. ½ ton (1000 lb) with boom length 43 inches (109 cm) and 14 – 80 inches (36 – 203 cm) lifting range;
4. ¼ ton (500 lb) with boom length 47 inches (119 cm) and 10 – 82 inches (25 – 208 cm) lifting range.

At the end of the boom, as most engine hoists, this tool has got a strong steel hook and a chain, where you can attach lifting chains or a load leveler.

Check Pricing and Purchase this Vestil EHN-20-C Engine Hoist

Advantages

• Durable construction
• Well tough design with many useful features such as foldable design, pumping bar holder, pushing handle and others
• Reliable manufacturer with more than 50 year experience in tool manufacturing

Disadvantages

• 4 casters and only 2 swivel casters don’t offer as much movement options as hoists with all swivel casters

Black Bull 700312

Review

Engine hoist is manufacturer by a company called Black Bull. 700312 is their 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoist that can be used to lift heavy objects starting from engines and transmissions to weights in warehouses, construction sites, shops and other places. This hydraulic hoist has got a heavy duty steel construction and will lift up to 1 ton (2000 lb) heavy loads without problems. Black Bull 700312 engine hoist has got a foldable design and allows for quick and easy folding of the tool thanks to quick release pin system. To transform hoist from working position in folded and back simply pull out the pins from legs, push legs up and secure them with the same pins, then lower the boom and you have a much compact tool that you can store somewhere in your work place. One of the main advantages of this hoist in a folded position, when compared to other engine hoists from this list, is that even when folded the tool has got 4 wheels below the hoist, so you can easily roll the hoist on the ground, which is much easier than carrying it around. On the sides of the main posts there are two support braces that provides extra durability and stability for the tool.

In folded position the hoist is almost 40 inches (101 cm) shorter than in a working position.

To lift a load Black Bull engine hoist is equipped with a 1 ton (2000 lb) hydraulic jack. The jack works in the same way as other hydraulic jacks of engine hoists. To lift a load insert the pumping bar into the socket on the bottom of the jack, pump the bar to increase the pressure inside of the cylinder that will lift a load. To lower a load carefully open a bleed valve on the bottom of the jack.

Black Bull 700312 engine lifter has got 2 foldable legs and 6 swivel casters. This is a pretty unusual design for a low capacity engine hoist, as most 1 ton (2000 lb) hoists only have 4 casters. 6 swivel casters provide better stability for the tool and allow to move it practically in any direction.

Engine hoist is equipped with an extendable boom with 4 adjustment positions:

1. 1 ton (2000 lb);
2. 3/4 ton (1500 lb);
3. ½ ton (1000 lb);
4. ¼ ton (500 lb).

At the end of the boom there is a steel chain and a grab hook. The length of the boom in a closed position is 30 inches (76 cm) and in a fully extended position – 41 inches (104 cm).

Check Pricing and Purchase this Black Bull 700312 Engine Hoist

Advantages

• Durable and very stable design that will handle heavy loads with ease
• The hoist can be rolled even in a folded position, which makes movement of the tool in a folded position much easier
• 6 swivel casters provide extended manoeuvrability of the tool

Disadvantages

• High price for a lifter with 1 ton (2000 lb) capacity
• Similar design and price as multiple engine hoists with 2 ton (4000 lb) and larger capacity, but half the capacity of those lifters

Pittsburgh Automotive 1 Ton Hydraulic Hoist

Review

Engine hoist is manufactured by a company called Pittsburgh Automotive that produces different lifting equipment, and the tool is sold by Harbor Freight Tools. This engine hoist has got a total lifting capacity of 1 ton (2000 lb) and is made from a durable steel material. Pittsburgh Automotive engine hoist features a foldable design, which is useful for those who have a limited space. This hydraulic crane is a tool that primarily is used to lift engines out of cars as well as lifting other car parts such as transmissions and it can also be used in other industries, for example, to lift shop equipment. As this is a 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoist it is mostly recommended to use for hobbyists in home garages and for smaller repair shops. Engine lifter is easy to assemble and the assembly of the tool should not take a lot of time. Pittsburgh Automotive lifter comes in two shipping boxes if your order it online. We found that the shipment box in which the engine hoist came was damaged and some parts could be missing, because of the damaged box. Other users also have reported that the packaging of the hoist should be better and some users even received the tool with missing parts. However, the company is oriented towards their customers and will send replacement parts if anything is missing from the box during the shipment. Another thing we have seen some users report is that holes of few engine hoist parts do not line up, so additional holes need to be drilled. This is because the hoist is manufactured in different facilities and shipped in two parts, so parts from one facility may not correctly align with parts from other facility. This problem is not very common, but some users have reported such a situation. To be able to assemble the hoist if you face such a problem, you may need to drill additional holes in the steel parts, so they line up correctly.

For load lifting this tool has got a durable, 3 ton (6000 lb) hydraulic ram. Hydraulic ram works manually, to lift a load insert the metal bar into the socket on the bottom of the ram and start pumping it to increase the pressure inside the hydraulic cylinder. To lower a load open the bleed valve located on the bottom of the ram. Although the maximum lifting capacity of the hoist is 1 ton (2000 lb) and for hydraulic ram 3 tons (6000 lb), we do not recommend to use the hoist to lift very heavy loads close to the weight limit of the hoist, as the tool might get damaged. If you need to lift loads weighting 1 ton (2000 lb) or close, we suggest to buy a 2 ton (4000 lb) engine hoist.

On the bottom of the hoist there are total of 6 swivel casters. These double bearing casters provide stability for the tool and allows to move the hoist freely on a level surface also when holding a load. Both legs of the hoist can be folded upwards, so the tool takes up less space. When legs are folded, the hoist still can be rolled across the floor thanks to the additional two casters that are located in the middle of the hoist.

On the top the tool is an adjustable boom with 4 extension positions:

1. 1 ton (2000 lb);
2. 3/4 ton (1500 lb);
3. ½ ton (1000 lb);
4. ¼ ton (500 lb).

The length of the boom in a closed position is 34 inches ( cm) and in a fully extended position 45 inches ( cm). The lifting range from the ground with a closed boom is 85 inches ( cm) and with a fully extended boom 94 inches ( cm). At the end of the boom there is a chain and a grab hook where you can attach the load.

Check Pricing and Purchase Pittsburgh Automotive Engine Hoist

Advantages

• Good price for a decent quality hoist
• Sturdy and stable steel design
• 6 swivel casters allow to move the hoist in any direction and also allow to roll the hoist in a folded position
• Pretty compact as it can be folded to take less space
• Reliable manufacturer with good customer support

Disadvantages

• Packaging of the tool needs to be improved to avoid risks of loosing parts during the shipping
• Some users have reported that parts do not line up, because engine hoist comes in two parts that each are manufactured in different facilities. To be able to use the tool either drill additional holes so that both parts align correctly or ask the company for a replacement.

Ironton Hydraulic Engine Hoist

Review

This engine lifter is manufactured by a company called Ironton and sold by Northen Tool. This is a 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoist that is designed to lift engines, transmissions and other heavy loads in automotive and other industries. The hoist is easy to use and has got a good built quality. The frame of the tool is constructed of a high quality steel, which provides durability for the tool. The steel is painted with a dirt resistant paint, so the tool is also easy to clean. The hoist is painted in a black color and we can admit that the paint job of this tool looks really good, especially when compared to other, cheaper engine lifters. Ironton 1 ton engine hoist features a foldable design, however the hoist cannot be rolled on the floor in a folded position, because it has only 4 casters. In a folded position the hoist will be more than 40 inches ( cm) shorter, so you can move it in the corner of your work shop, while it’s not used. Folded dimensions of this hoist are approx. 25x31x62 inches ( cm). The hoist comes dismounted and needs to be assembled, which should not cause any problems, as the tool is easy to assemble. All in all, Ironton 1 ton hydraulic engine hoist is well made and durable tool for lifting.

For lifting loads Ironton engine hoist has got a durable 3 ton (6000 lb) hydraulic ram. This hoist is equipped with a strong, large diameter hydraulic jack that is made from a steel and iron. Hydraulic ram will be able to easily handle up to 1 ton (2000 lb) heavy loads and will provide quick and convenient lifting. The lifting mechanism of the hydraulic hoist is similar to other hydraulic engine hoists, lift a load by using a pumping bar that will increase the pressure inside the cylinder and lower a load by opening the bleed valve. The hydraulic cylinder uses a high quality oil to work.

The engine hoist has got two foldable legs and 4 casters. Both rear casters allow 360 degree rotation, while both front caster can only be moved to front and back. 4 caster design does not allow to roll the hoist in a folded position, as seen with most 6 wheeled hoists. The casters of the hoist, however are durable and rolls easily even when moving a load. Also, because front casters can move only to front and back the movement of the hoist is limited, which may cause problems in places with less space, especially when needing to turn the hoist around.

Ironton hydraulic engine hoist has got an adjustable boom with 4 positions:

1. 1 ton (2000 lb), with boom length 40 inches ( cm);
2. 3/4 ton (1500 lb), with boom length 43.5 inches ( cm);
3. ½ ton (1000 lb), with boom length 47 inches ( cm);
4. ¼ ton (500 lb), with boom length 50.5 inches ( cm).

The maximum lifting range of the boom is 1 to 84 inches ( cm) from the ground to the end of the hook. At the end of the boom you will find a lifting chain and a hook as with most engine hoists.

Check Pricing and Purchase this Ironton Engine Hoist

Advantages

• Well built with a durable steel construction
• Good price for a 1 ton (2000 lb) engine hoist
• Easy to use and assemble
• Works well, easily lifts heavy loads
• Good looks and quality paint job
• Folding design allows to save up to 40 inches ( cm) of space when the hoist is folded

Disadvantages

• Only two swivel casters limit the movement of the hoist

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Billy Miller

Father, husband and mechanic with over 20 years of experience, currently also a blogger. Passionate about all things related to cars industry.

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