Engine hoist converted for basement shop

[tmate3]

I've had this Bluebird engine hoist for many years. Used mainly by tool rental companies, these disassemble without tools for easy transport in a pickup.

Unfortunately, as I have gotten older, I can no longer lift the parts to assemble it, and so bought a new folding hoist. After several unsuccessful attempts to practically give away the old hoist on eBay, I decided to do something else with it.

Engine hoists are a glut on the market, with imported models available for a couple hundred dollars with free shipping. However, small shop cranes are almost non-existent, and most shop owners end up making their own.

I narrowed my old hoist by 10" and shortened the legs by 24" each. I cut the lifting beam back by 21". After welding the mini version back together, I have ended up with a unit that will straddle workbenches and carts, and fit easily through doorways. It takes up about the same amount of space as a Hoyer patient lift, with three or four times the capacity.