It’s cold and it’s “project season” in most of the country, and recently, we had a need to use the shop crane. This got us thinking — this is something that everyone (who is seriously into working on their own cars or motorcycles) should have, but relatively few do.
If you think a shop crane or engine hoist is only for professional mechanics or full-scale engine swaps, you’re overlooking one of the most versatile, problem-solving tools a home garage can have. While these tools are often associated with pulling engines from cars, their real value goes far beyond that single task. A shop crane is about control, safety, and expanding what you can realistically accomplish on your own.
For anyone who works on vehicles, motorcycles, equipment, or heavy projects of any kind, a shop crane quickly becomes one of those tools that earns its keep over and over again. Even if you only need it a handful of times per year, those moments are usually when nothing else will do the job safely.
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Lifting Engines of All Types
The most obvious use for a shop crane is pulling and installing engines, but that category alone covers a wide range of projects. A quality engine hoist can easily handle automotive engines, transmissions, transfer cases, and drivetrains, whether you’re working on a compact car or a full-size truck.
Beyond cars and trucks, a shop crane is equally useful for:
- Small-block and big-block V8s (looking at you, hot-rodders)
- Diesel engines
- Lawn tractor and mower engines
- Generators and stationary motors
- Industrial equipment and pumps
Trying to manhandle an engine with floor jacks, pry bars, or a few strong friends is risky and unpredictable. A shop crane allows you to lift heavy components smoothly, roll them into position, and lower them precisely where you want them. That level of control reduces stress, prevents damage, and dramatically improves safety.
Yes, You Can Lift Entire Motorcycles
One of the most underrated uses of a shop crane is motorcycle work. With proper straps or a lifting bar, an engine hoist can lift an entire motorcycle off the ground with ease. This opens up a range of possibilities for riders and home mechanics who don’t own a dedicated motorcycle lift (although everyone should own at least a simple and inexpensive motorcycle jack).
Using a shop crane, you can:
- Lift a bike for suspension or fork work
- Remove an engine from larger motorcycles
- Perform frame repairs or welding
- Store a motorcycle with weight off the tires
For garages with limited space, this flexibility matters. A shop crane can do the job of a motorcycle lift when needed, then fold up and disappear when you’re done.
More Than Just Engines
The true value of a shop crane often reveals itself in unexpected situations. Once you own one, you start noticing how many tasks become easier when you can lift, hold, or position heavy objects safely.
Common non-engine uses include:
- Lifting heavy workbenches or tool cabinets
- Loading generators, compressors, or safes into trucks
- Holding parts in position while bolting or welding
- Supporting transmissions during removal or installation (sometimes you can get the arm of the crane into the cab of the car)
- Moving other awkward items that are too heavy to carry safely
Any object that is heavy, bulky, or unbalanced becomes far more manageable with an engine hoist. Instead of struggling, improvising, or risking smashing your expensive oil pan on the unforgiving concrete, you gain the ability to work deliberately and calmly.
One-Person Jobs Become Possible
A major advantage of a shop crane is independence. Many garage projects stall simply because they require another set of hands at exactly the right moment. With a shop crane, many of those tasks become realistic solo projects.
Need to align an engine mount? Lower a motor slowly while checking clearance? Hold a heavy component at an exact height while you start bolts or tack weld? A shop crane acts as a patient, steady helper that never gets tired or distracted. For home mechanics who work alone, this is a game-changer.
Recommendations for Shop Cranes/Engine Hoists
It’s no secret that everything has gotten more expensive lately. At close to $400, the 2-Ton Harbor Freight Shop Crane (which is what we have) isn’t cheap, but still a relative bargain compared to the inconvenience of not having one. We have the older model, but the new edition looks nice, and should be able to handle anything up to some of the bigger diesel motors with no problem. We’ve had ours for almost 10 years and it’s held up great.
To save a little money (or to simply avoid a trip to the store), Amazon also carries a selection of shop cranes, almost all of which are less expensive than the Harbor Freight model that they presumably copied.
Also, we highly recommend the usage of a load leveler to enable you to precisely align a very heavy engine while you set it in place, weld up mounts, take measurements, or whatever.
Compact Storage Is Not a Problem
One of the most common objections to buying a shop crane is the assumption that it will take up too much space. In practice, most modern shop cranes are designed with storage in mind and fold up far more compactly than people expect.
Almost every model available today features:
- Folding legs
- Telescoping or collapsible booms
- Vertical storage against a wall
When folded, a shop crane often takes up no more space than a rolling tool cart or floor jack. For garages where every square foot matters, this compact storage makes owning an engine hoist far more practical than it sounds on paper.
Safer Than Improvised Solutions
Improvised lifting methods are common in home garages, but they’re also a leading cause of injuries and damaged equipment. Floor jacks, ratchet straps, and makeshift rigs are simply not designed for vertical lifting and load stability.
A proper shop crane is engineered specifically for this type of work. With a rated capacity, controlled hydraulic lift, smooth casters, and stable geometry, an engine hoist greatly reduces the risk of:
- Dropped engines or components
- Pinched hands and crushed fingers
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Sudden shifts that damage vehicles or parts
- And, of course… death
Even if you only use your shop crane a few times a year, avoiding one serious accident or damaged engine can justify the cost on its own.
Useful for More Than Automotive Work
A shop crane doesn’t care whether you’re working on a car, a motorcycle, or something entirely different. Homeowners and hobbyists often find uses well outside traditional automotive work.
People commonly use shop cranes for:
- Lifting heavy woodworking machines (planers, table saws, jointers, if you know, you know)
- Positioning welders or shop equipment
- Installing or removing large appliances
- Handling construction materials
Once you start thinking of a shop crane as a general-purpose lifting tool instead of an engine-only device, its usefulness multiplies quickly.
A Tool You’ll Grow Into
Much like a parts washer (which is also a must-have if you ask us), many people buy a shop crane for one specific project and discover that it earns a permanent place in their garage. As your skills grow and your projects become more ambitious, having an engine hoist on hand expands what you’re willing to attempt.
Jobs that once seemed intimidating or impractical suddenly feel manageable (and safer!) when you know you can lift and position heavy components safely. Over time, a shop crane becomes less of a specialty tool and more of a core piece of garage equipment.
From lifting motorcycles to handling engines, equipment, and awkward loads, a shop crane is a problem solver, a safety upgrade, and a quiet enabler of better work. You’ll thank us later.
