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He Built A Truck Hoist For Replacing Engines
Shang Stanley of Bedford, Va., built a truck-mounted hoist to remove a blown truck engine and install a rebuilt one. With 18 years at a farm equipment dealership, he has seen many similar homemade tools. “The goal of the design was to be able to use it from any angle to lift any load into or out of a truck bed,” says Stanley. “It was also to ensure the truck wouldn’t require any modifications.
The design can be used on any vehicle with a 2-in. Reese hitch receiver. An extension bar allows it to be offset to the left or right of the truck bed. “I designed it that way so that the hoist is now capable of working as a tow bar to connect two vehicles, assuming they each have a 2-in. Reese hitch receiver,” he explains. The crane and trailer jack with dolly wheel are rated at 1/2 ton or 1,000 lbs. While building the hoist itself only took 10 hrs., Stanley took about 2 weeks to tweak the design to his preferences. “It was a project that took thinking as it was being built,” he says.
Stanley used the hoist to remove a blown engine from one truck and replace it with a running one. As he explains, “With the rebuilt engine, I was able to lift it and back up to the broken-down vehicle and line up with the mobility of the other truck. I also tested the extension bar as a tow bar to move the broken-down truck.”
After using the hoist, Stanley sold it to another user and recouped his expenses. “Had I installed a manufactured crane, it would have required me to damage the truck permanently. This method allowed it to be used on any vehicle.” And despite selling the original, Stanley is confident he can replicate the design if necessary. “Now that I have built this and took the time for the design, I would stick to it.”


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2023 - Volume #47, Issue #6