Harbor Freight Engine Hoist Mods! Save Yourself Some Pain! Bad Hombre Garage Episode 16

[@cranelord]

You can also replace the hook with one that swivels. Makes positioning stuff way easier.

[@BadHombreGarage]

That’s a good idea! Thanks.

[@therealgaragegirls]

Great hack. I'm going to mod my pressure-release valve today.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Cool, I hope it works for you as well as it works for me.

[@bigal7561]

Cool hacks. I've got the 1 ton and it's plenty. Been using it to hold up my vintage motorcycle to completely restore it. Having that bike off the ground, and as high as I lift if I want, it's a game changer for your back and gives you the ability to see and get to every thing. It's solid and I'd have no problem pulling an engine with it. I'll be changing out motors in my Chevy this summer and this will be perfect. You did a great job on the content.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Awesome! Thanks for watching and for the comments!

[@SamGlasser]

I made a very nice mod for my engine hoist: Since I don't always need the heavy lifting capacity of the hydraulic ram on the hoist, I added a small electric wench to my boom. I can lay under my truck and lift that 30 pound steering gear into place, and hold it there as long as needed; All the while holding the remote in my hand while under the truck....you can't do that with the hydraulic hand pump. And it doesn't get in the way of the hydraulic functions.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Now that is a great idea!

[@Whipple1]

More tips on improving the ease of use, utility and capabilities of this 2 ton engine hoist: 1) Replace the bolt that locks in the extension tube with a hitch pin from your tractor supply store. 2) Replace the bolt holding the grab hook with a hitch pin and cut the chain down to two links. 3) Buy a large slip hook with a cotter keyed pin, add two lengths of chain to it and now you can rig with nylon chokers. 4) Add a 3” piece of 1.5” ID pipe to the bottom of the upright tubing to keep the lifting handle from slipping out and hitting the floor. Weld it, or use a hose clamp to secure it. 5) increase your reach with a 2” X 2” piece of square tubing. This will slide inside the entirety of the main tube and the extension tube. It can be drilled so a hitch pin will pass through all three pieces of tubing to secure it in place. Mine is 10’ long and has a lifting lug welded under it for securing a hook. Be sure to counterbalance the hoist and not overload it. You can gain reach, but not much capacity when extended this far. Now you’ve got some more mods to do.... Cheers! Whipple

[@BadHombreGarage]

Nice! Great inputs! I’ll have to do a follow up video one of these days.

[@nojunkwork5735]

I used JB weld to adhere the handle to my release valve. No heat to worry about.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Great idea- thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@besitstookeezbeshzhacuz9371]

Awesome bros

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks!

[@brandonlewis5045]

I just put mine together and can't get it to lift itself. I've tried bleeding the air out, refilled it with fluid etc. No pressure for it to lift the boom

[@BadHombreGarage]

Ugh, that sucks! I’d take it back- my local store has a pretty relaxed return policy.

[@skylinemusik1]

Is that Arm powered???? Sounds like it has some power at the end of the video when you released the valve

[@BadHombreGarage]

No, it’s not. Probably just the air moving around making that funny noise.

[@123ABC-Machine-Basics]

Good thinking !

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks! Good tips here in the comments as well.

[@NKPGarage]

That one with the bolt on the release valve is genius!!

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks, I got it from someone so I can’t take the credit. It has been a good trick.

[@NKPGarage]

@@BadHombreGarage well now I got I from you! So you definitely helped a brother out!! :-)

[@alfakrab6134]

I'll probably need it tomorrow! The second of get rid of something I have to buy it twice.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Haha! Yep, I’m that way too.

[@brieoliver3624]

Welding on hydraulic will melt your seals and will fall on your head

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@ronedee]

I have this "compact foldable" ...uh....I'll leave out the expletive. The boom and legs are waaay to short for any real reach, other than a "compact" car or boat engine well.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Yes, longer reach would be nice, but this has worked well for me.

[@barntt]

Think I would have folded the chain the other way behind the open end of the hook out of the way!

[@BadHombreGarage]

Good idea!

[@knottreel]

Darn, I thought you were going to show us a way to motorize the handle to the pneumatic cylinder.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Ah, sorry. But what a great idea!

[@sheckyfeinstein]

You are baad. Thanks.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks for the view!

[@rainysunday6186]

Put a double pump piston on it. Only cost $58.

[@BadHombreGarage]

Good idea!

[@pete-mz9vr]

Your a genius!🙄

[@BadHombreGarage]

Ha, no. But thanks for watching!

[@N269]

Okay... so, you gotta kneel next to a hoist with 500lbs hanging off it... yup, I feel comfortable.... And from the edits here I can only surmise you welded that bolt with the valve in place, thus possibly compromising the rubber o-rings.... Yup, shorten a chain (why is this a "mod"???)... cut off the safety barb - that's a no-brainer- the chain doesn't just jump out (defying the laws of gravity unless Linda Blaire is in the room). The only much better "mod" would be a swivel hook. Waste of time watching, and even stoopider of me for wasting time writing this! Oh well....

[@BadHombreGarage]

Thanks for the constructive criticism! This is why this community is so great; we can each share freely our praises and criticisms. All this helps make us better people. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment. Share this video with your friends and see if they have the same reaction!