![]() ![]() Some of the larger, heavier cranes don’t fold up, at least easily. If shop space is at a premium (and for most of us, it is), then the crane has to reside somewhere you won’t be regularly tripping over it. Many cherry pickers fold up, but some do not. This ties in with the previous comment about folding cranes. This obviously precludes installing the transmission with the engine, as using it out the side isn’t quite as easy as removing and re-installing it from the front. If that’s the case, you’ll have to remove and install the engine from the vehicle’s side. It is possible to run out of reach with some cranes. Some cars have inherently long noses ( vintage Monte Carlos are a good example). A crane that works perfectly for an early Mustang might not have sufficient lift to work on a one-ton dually. It would prove frustrating if the crane can’t work in your environment. If you have to go through a shop doorway, keep the overall width of the crane in mind. ![]() Something else you should address is overall crane width. If the cherry picker is used solely indoors, then conventional caster wheels will get the job done. If you need to use the crane outdoors, then you’ll need something that can work in that environment (likely with larger diameter wheels and a wider footprint). Swivel casters are also important, but keep in mind, most cranes are way more difficult to maneuver when there’s something like an engine hanging over the end. When the boom is fully extended, the crane is often limited to 500 pounds. Most conventional shop cranes will lift a maximum of 2,000 pounds with the boom all the way in. That sounds easy enough, but if you’re regularly lifting complete cast iron diesel engines you’ll need a far different crane than, say, someone who is regularly lifting aluminum small blocks. The idea here is keep all of the potential jobs in mind before deciding upon a specific crane. Some folks regularly use them for moving heavy wheels and tires (for example tractor’s dual wheels). ![]() Case in point is the photo above: The cherry picker was used to lift a crated transmission off the back of a pickup truck. But cranes are also useful for moving other heavy pieces around the shop. Most of us use cherry pickers for one purpose: Moving engines in and out of the car and around the shop. (Image/Wayne Scraba) What is the Primary Job the Crane Must Complete? There are no universal answers here, but there are some common questions you should ask yourself before buying a cherry picker. And keep in mind, every situation can be different. It’s not a great feeling when the crane starts to topple!įair enough, but let’s look at what the crane really must do for your application. With a heavy engine hanging over the nose and with the crane extended a long ways, it’s not that difficult to upset some cranes. Some expensive cranes have adjustable leg spread widths. In some cases, this can prove advantageous.Ĭranes that have a narrow footprint are usually less stable than those with a wide track. But others have a rapid lift coupled with slow release. ![]() Some are slow (which, in itself is a very good feature). For example, an easily folding crane certainly takes up far less space in the shop when it’s not in use. When dealing with cherry pickers, there are some considerations. If you’re a hotrodder or racer, then moving an engine on/off a stand and in/out of car is usually going to be the most common job you’ll have for a crane like this. That’s why a good old fashioned shop crane or “cherry picker” is almost always the tool of choice for most hot rodders and racers. Sure, a gantry crane of some sort will work nicely, but it’s not easily moved. There aren’t a lot of cost-effective methods to move heavy things in your shop (or install an engine for that matter). ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |