Ryan Ensby
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2 Ton Folding Cherry Picker (Engine Hoist): What to Buy and Why
A 2 ton folding cherry picker is usually a folding hydraulic shop crane used for engine removal/installation in a home garage. The big trap is buying off the “2 ton / 4,000 lb” headline and ignoring the reality that capacity drops as the boom extends.
Quick pick: choose a folding 2-ton shop crane with clearly labeled boom-position ratings, solid casters for your floor, and a folded footprint you can actually store.
Spec-first comparison table: Best engine hoist (buyer guide + comparison)
“Cherry picker” vs “engine hoist” (and the one confusion to avoid)
In a garage context, “cherry picker” is usually another name for a shop crane/engine hoist. But “cherry picker” can also mean a personnel aerial lift. This page is about engine hoists (shop cranes) for lifting engines, not man lifts. (OSHA overview: https://www.osha.gov/etools/scaffolding/aerial-lifts)
What “2 ton” really means on folding shop cranes
On many folding engine hoists, “2 ton” is the maximum rating at the shortest boom position. As the boom extends, the rating usually drops. Official manuals often spell this out. For example, Harbor Freight’s Pittsburgh 2-ton foldable shop crane manual lists four positions (1/2 ton up to 2 tons) and warns capacity decreases as boom lengthens.
Manual: https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/58000-58999/58755-193175501110.pdf
The 6 checks that matter for a 2-ton folding cherry picker
1) Capacity at the boom position you will use
The “2 ton” rating is typically at the shortest boom position. If you extend the boom to reach deeper into the engine bay, the rating usually drops. Make sure the rating at your chosen boom hole covers the load with margin.
2) Reach into the engine bay
Reach determines whether you can lift from the factory lifting points without the hoist legs getting blocked by the front of the car. If the hoist can’t reach correctly, you end up doing unsafe workarounds.
3) Hook height with rigging installed
Hook height (with your chain/leveler installed) is what determines clearance. If clearance is tight, read this first:
4) Folded footprint (storage reality)
Folding is only helpful if it fits where you plan to store it. Measure your storage area and compare it to the folded dimensions on the hoist you’re considering. Some official product pages publish folded dimensions, while others simply say “foldable” (UNKNOWN exact footprint unless the product page/manual lists it).
5) Your floor and casters
Small casters on rough concrete can stop a job even if the hoist has enough height and capacity. Many manuals specify use on a hard, level surface (example: Harbor Freight and Sunex manuals).
- Harbor Freight manual: https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/58000-58999/58755-193175501110.pdf
- Sunex 5222 manual: https://sunextools.com/cdn/shop/files/5222_-_2_Ton_Foldable_Engine_Crane_-_Owner_s_Manual.pdf?v=15677737662606192640
6) Don’t plan to roll a heavy suspended load
Even when you have enough capacity and height, mobility under load is where things go wrong. Manuals commonly warn against moving under load or advise lowering the load to the lowest possible point before moving. If you need to move the engine far across uneven ground, consider different equipment or a different plan.
Representative models (US availability) and what the official sources say
This is not a price ranking. It’s a shortlist of common US options with official pages/manuals you can verify.
Harbor Freight: Pittsburgh 2-ton foldable shop crane (item 58755)
- Product page: https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-58755.html
- Manual: https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/58000-58999/58755-193175501110.pdf
AutoZone: Duralast 2-ton engine hoist (80900T)
- Official product page: https://www.autozone.com/p/duralast-engine-hoist-80900t/123037
- Note: the official page confirms a 4-position telescoping boom and 4,000 lb maximum load capacity, but per-position ratings are UNKNOWN without the manual/decal.
Advance Auto Parts: DieHard 2-ton engine hoist (DH20025)
- Official product page: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/diehard-2-ton-engine-hoist-dh20025/12476933-P
- Note: the official page confirms 4,000 lb maximum load capacity and includes chain/hook, but per-position ratings are UNKNOWN without the manual/decal.
Sunex: 5222 2-ton foldable engine crane
- Product page: https://sunextools.com/products/2-ton-foldable-engine-crane
- Manual: https://sunextools.com/cdn/shop/files/5222_-_2_Ton_Foldable_Engine_Crane_-_Owner_s_Manual.pdf?v=15677737662606192640
Buy vs rent vs buy-used-and-resell
If this is a one-time engine pull, renting can be cheaper than buying and storing. But if your project might stall for weeks, buying used and reselling later can be cheaper than extending rentals.
Rental alternatives (official listing pages)
- Sunbelt Rentals engine hoist: https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/equipment-rental/general-construction-tools/engine-hoist/0730011/
- United Rentals knockdown engine hoist: https://www.unitedrentals.com/marketplace/equipment/material-handling/hoists/knockdown-engine-hoist
- United Rentals towable engine hoist (extendable): https://www.unitedrentals.com/marketplace/equipment/material-handling/hoists/towable-engine-hoist-extendable
- Herc Rentals engine hoist listing: https://www.hercrentals.com/ca/equipment/equipment.html/engine-hoist-up-to-4000-lb-p480-2700.html
Used-buy inspection checklist (quick)
- Frame/boom/welds: inspect for cracks, bends, and damaged structures.
- Pins/R-clips: make sure boom and leg hardware is present and straight.
- Hydraulic ram: avoid visible leaks or a ram that creeps down under load.
- Casters/wheels: confirm all wheels roll freely and aren’t cracked or missing hardware.
- Hook/chain hardware: verify safety latch and unmodified lifting hardware.
Rigging and safety links
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