ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
- FJCamper
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ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
I'd heard someone mention using an ATV/motorcycler lift was better than using a regular floor jack. The idea seemed good,
and so I looked over the ATV/Motrocycle lifts on sale at Harbor Frieght, and bought the more expensive of the two I saw. This one
is a combo steel & aluminum device, much lighter than the all steel version.
After working with this model one afternoon, swapping engines on and off our dry-sump test rig, it was easy to recognize the ATV lift
is far superior to a floor jack. Not to mention more stable.
FJC
Last edited by FJCamper on Wed Sep 17, 2014 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Piledriver
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
I'm on my second one, I got the all aluminum version about 5-6 years ago, has been very handy.
(you can pick it up and fling it about with one hand, looks ~identical to the one you have but all aluminum)
It is really only short an adjustable ~engine specific fore/aft "tilt" plate to be the perfect one-man ACVW engine removal/install tool, but it's far from a showstopper, as I have never gotten around to making it
They are stable enough to use as an engine work stand for top end work, tin, clutch etc.
Paired with a mechanics stool it makes for a perfect work setup for the fiddly bits.
They also make for a ~great adjustable height work stool with a bit of plywood on top (with anti-slide pins in the ply).
Handy for us... "highly experienced" folks working on brakes etc... don't have to sit on the ground anymore.
Once you use one, everything else is drek, and you cannot imagine ever trying to balance an engine on a jack pad, and you wonder how anyone ever though that was a good idea.
(you can pick it up and fling it about with one hand, looks ~identical to the one you have but all aluminum)
It is really only short an adjustable ~engine specific fore/aft "tilt" plate to be the perfect one-man ACVW engine removal/install tool, but it's far from a showstopper, as I have never gotten around to making it
They are stable enough to use as an engine work stand for top end work, tin, clutch etc.
Paired with a mechanics stool it makes for a perfect work setup for the fiddly bits.
They also make for a ~great adjustable height work stool with a bit of plywood on top (with anti-slide pins in the ply).
Handy for us... "highly experienced" folks working on brakes etc... don't have to sit on the ground anymore.
Once you use one, everything else is drek, and you cannot imagine ever trying to balance an engine on a jack pad, and you wonder how anyone ever though that was a good idea.
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
I was playing with the idea of something like this for the next stage of working on the pan and body before engine and other things are added when it get to the jack stand but 1000#s was getting a bit too close: http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-ca ... -8495.html I think the stuff on top is detachable but not 100% sure.
Lee
Lee
- Dale M.
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
Been using the one like linked to below for years.... Love it.... When I first got it it was at a FLAPS for $59 (10-12 years ago).....
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-ca ... 60536.html
The nice thing about it is to goes between the legs on my engine stand (H type base).....
Dale
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-ca ... 60536.html
The nice thing about it is to goes between the legs on my engine stand (H type base).....
Dale
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
We've been using a very old transmission jack for many years. It is of the type Pile mentioned, having multiple tilt, rock, and roll, capabilities.
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
I have the steel one from HF and it is by far the best jack to use for a VW engine install/removal tool. Sits the engine level and make my life easier.
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- Piledriver
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
That was ~my first one, (SAMS Club version)Dale M. wrote:Been using the one like linked to below for years.... Love it.... When I first got it it was at a FLAPS for $59 (10-12 years ago).....
http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-ca ... 60536.html
The nice thing about it is to goes between the legs on my engine stand (H type base).....
Dale
The issue with that is that the pump etc stick up in the way, it isn't truly (completely) flat like the later models.
Gets in the way of headers, T4 fan housings etc.
Still beats the hell out of a std floor jack. (need to get a new bottle jack for my old one, in perfect shape otherwise)
The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
Set to open this year is a HF less than 3 miles from my house.Piledriver wrote:
The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...
Even better/worse, is that it is on my way home.
- doc
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
Been eyeballing one of these for years after dragging motors on and off of floor jacks. Always looked like it might be just the ticket. This thread convinces me to spend even more the next time at harbor freight. Don't tell my wife.
doc
doc
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
doc wrote:Been eyeballing one of these for years after dragging motors on and off of floor jacks. Always looked like it might be just the ticket. This thread convinces me to spend even more the next time at harbor freight. Don't tell my wife.
doc
Shhhhhhhhh. Wont hear it from us.
Addendum to Newtons first law:
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
zero vehicles on jackstands, square gets a fresh 090 and 1911, cabby gets a blower.
EZ3.6 Vanagon after that.(mounted, needs everything finished) then Creamsicle.
- doc
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
It's a problem when you have a HF store about 15 miles away.
doc
doc
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Re: ATV/Motorcycle Lift for Engine Jack
They're getting to be like Walmart... one on every corner. I have an alarm in my head that goes off if I get too close to the HF over here.helowrench wrote:Set to open this year is a HF less than 3 miles from my house.Piledriver wrote:
The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...
Even better/worse, is that it is on my way home.
I have found them completely missing more than once. - PILEDRIVER
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