Hi all,
I'm about ot lift the engine and gearbox out of my chassis as one. It's a 2ltr zetec with lifting eyes attached. What should i use / where can i get a sling to attach to the engine crane? Hire shops don't seem to want to hire me anyhting suitable... I've heard of people using old seatbelts...?!

Would prefer something intended for the job... Any advice?

Cheers
James.

A seatbelt will lift 2.8 tonnes minimum, but i agree something more suitable. have you got a local garge your friendly with?

Seatbelts, have always worked fine for me, but since it probably isn't going to be your last time, just go to local outdoor shop (sorry don't where you live so can't suggest one) and buy X metres of climbing rope. You don't need a decent thickness (the bloke in the shop will tell you what will lift 150 ish kilos) and will be quite cheap.

hth
Steve.

Lifting cranes from hire companies usually come with a hook & chain - ask them as it is very unusual in my experience.

Failing that you might use a good tow rope

[Edited on 24-1-07 by RazMan]

Something like this?
Northerntool
Rescued attachment 145504E.jpg

wow that was quick...
It comes with a chain with a hook on the end. The problem is i need something to go through both lifitng eyes and then hook on to the hook if you see what i mean.

The bit i'm slightly bothered about with the seatbelt / rope scenario is the method of tieing the nots etc, as if i get it wrong i'm in a bit of poo...

I use a nylon car tow rope available from any local garage or car accessory store. Cost you about £5 - £10? I have used mine many times and it threads through the holes in the engine lifting eyes no problem.
Nick

aha, i think i have it. A load leveller would be nice, and is an option... I'm guessing a 1 ton sling would do it from hook through two lifitng eyes and back to hook in a u shape?

I used a nylon tow rope as well. I dragged the hoist 40 yds up to the garage with the engine swinging about on the rope without any probs.

Stu

I've got the load leveller - great purchase, really worth it.

although making a small mistake and trying to lift the engine, gearbox and mk2 escort using one did bend one of the links a little.

ooops.....

I just used a piece of chain and a clevis. Available from any hardware store and quite cheap for the couple of meters that you need.

have used nylon towing rope with no probs when lifting a zetec and a v4 it holds up no probs even when swinging around as you move it!

[Edited on 24/1/07 by trogdor]

I used a tow rope as it had useful clamps on either end

I used a nylon tow rope to lift my 2.0 pinto, fed through the lifting eyes and tied in a reef knot. I proved it's strength by hoisting the car off the ground first
Rescued attachment to delete.JPG

I always use the cheap cargo straps from a DIY shop.

The engine has two eyes normally. I would use a third lifting point. With this you can stabilise the unit and control the tilting in both directions better.

Rgrds,

Mies.

John.Taylor did you make your engine crane yourself?

If you want a proper strop with a certificate
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/rangeguides.asp?t=165&g=110&r=2072

If you have a load leveler you can just use shackles with the chain.

I got a load leveler from transtools on ebay. While it was advertised as 450kg the one they sent actually says 750kg on the box (they only sell one model so I didn't argue).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/450KG-Folding-Engine-Hoist-Loadleveller_W0QQitemZ190041056754QQihZ009QQcategoryZ108783QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

It's actually made in America which amazed me.

I've build my own hoist tower from 2x4's but not tested it yet, that's for this weekend

Hi
Caving rope takes about 10 tons i think, if you ask nicely you can get it free off your local club, ropes are renewed every couple of years generally whether they are worn or not, ive used it to lift landy engine/gearbox/transfer box combinations with no trouble, come to think of it i have lifted landys with it too
mike

I have always used chains and a couple of shackles to adjust height, balance, make loops, restrict chains movement etc
One morning I found a chain on the road that had dropped off a log waggon - concerned thatit might cause amnasty accident and injure others or damage theirsumps Idid the decent civic thing and picked it up they use them to tension log loads it came with a hook and I tend to use that more now
so keep them eyes skinned!!

Thanks for all the replies guys, i think i got it sussed.... or at least i had until i found out all the local hire shops want circa £75 / weekend for hire, oh and there is a 2/3 week wait for weekend hire....

Anyone sw london area got a crane i could borrow... ?!

U2U sent.

I've always used old seatbelts, they'll happily lift the whole car when you miss a bolt or two

I borrowed from strops and shackles from work. You can get them from RS and several other places.

http://locostbuilders.co.uk/upload/Big%20Lift%201.jpg

My crane was £40 for the weekend from a local hire firm, dont bother going to HSS they are very expensive and never have what I want.

David

quote:

---

Originally posted by zilspeed
Give Leepu and his boys a call.

Of Bangla Bangers fame.

---

for a long time i used some chain i'd bought in ...... B&Q

it claims its rated to 250kg but NOT certified. I used 4 lenghts - so in theory could lift a tonne (or is it ton?) the engine and gearbox weighs as most 150kg so i wasn't worried.

damned cheap as well in comparison. Few bolts used to hold it together as well so lots of adjustment.

Hi
Crane hire is at best 40 quid for the weekend, frequently its more, cranes regularly come up on ebay new for about 100 quid, i got my brand new sealy 1.5 ton folding crane for 115 quid delivered next day cos it had a few scratches on it... well that was 2 years ago and its got lots more scratches now
mike