Shop Crane 1 ton or 2 ton?

[Dave Lehnert]

I worked 25 years running a retail Garden Center. Would unload a truck full of 15 gal trees without fooling to get the forklift.
Fast forward about 8 years since I left that job. Two weeks ago I purchased a 350 lb tool chest. Guess I'm not what I use to be. Unloading that thing was a job for sure. Starting to think about a shop crane.

Not too concerned with the difference in price. Only the foot print it will take in my shop.
Any opinion on a 1 ton vs a 2 ton for a home shop. I do not do car repairs like an engine replacement.

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-capacity-foldable-shop-crane-69514.html

[Bruce Page]

The few times I've needed a shop crane I rented it. They take up a lot of space for as often as you would need it. Disregard if you have a large shop.:)

[Bill Dufour]

I would say most folks extend the boom to pretty much full length. This will reduce capacity to 1/2 or 1/4 of rated load. For made in China lift I would stay under 1/2 of rated load at whatever extension you need. In a wood shop max load is probably 500 pounds or less.
If you are unloading from a modern pickup you need a 2 ton to get the height needed. Truck beds floor height went up about 6-8 inches in the last 10 years for no reason except to look cool and make them less useful for actual hauling. I am 6'2" and I am too short for a modern full size truck bed. I can barely reach into it from the side and certainly not to the middle.
Bill D

[Larry Frank]

I have had the 2 ton HF shop crane/engine lift for quite awhile and really like it. It folds up nicely.

[Allan Dozier]

Not the same type crane you are considering but I bought a Vestil 1 ton gantry crane from Northern and a 1 ton chain hoist from HF. I sprung for the aluminum one. I couldn't believe how much I have used it over the past year while setting up my new shop. I can back my truck or flat bed trailer into the garage bay and under the crane, lift and then drive the truck out. It rolls around extremely easily. Even with a one ton load you can push it around with one hand.

[Cary Falk]

I will echo what Bill said except I'm not 6'2". I don't think one takes up more space then the other. I would get a foldable one.

[Dave Gagnon]

I use a chain hoist which is perfect for how often I need to lift something.. Definitely not a crane, however if you have attachment points on your ceiling, it's an effective way to lift heavy items.. I have lifted tables saw on and off my pickup bed a few times with ease..

[Matt Day]

2 ton for sure. Mainly for full extension/height lifts to remove machinery from trailers, etc.

I used mine yesterday and worked like a charm. I’d like to pickup a load leveler at some point.

[John Sanford]

2 Ton. As noted above, it's the answer to the reach question.

[Dave Lehnert]

Thanks, Just the info I was looking for.

Maybe I can now justify buying that compact tractor I want and forget the shop crane.

[scott vroom]

I use a 2 ton chain hoist hung from a shop made gantry.

[Jared Sankovich]

Get the 2 ton..
385991

[Carroll Courtney]

One of the things that also come in handy is an assortment of straps,ones with loops on the end and endless straps plus several of those shackles I think they are called

[Mike Heidrick]

Many fold the long legs up.

[Matt Day]

They really don’t take up much space. At most 6sf folded up, there was a thread on it a few days ago.

[Bill Dufour]

They make a nice stand to hold a trash can or dust collector drum.
Bill D